Welcome
and Call to Worship
474
Hail to the Lord’s anointed
Prayer
and the Lord’s Prayer
At
our Explore singing evening Richard Sharpe introduced us to a number of hymns
for Advent – some were in a new collection of hymns written by John Campbell,
one time Principal of Northern College, where Graham Adams has been acting
Principal this term.
The
hymns had been written to go with services he had prepared.
We
are going to work backwards from the hymn and put together today’s service for
the second Sunday in Advent from the verses of the hymn and then sing that hymn
together.
As
Christmas approaches we turn to Luke 1 and 2 that tell the story of the journey
to Bethlehem, no room in the inn and the birth of Jesus to Mary; we turn to
Matthew 1 and 2 with the account of the nativity and visit of the wise men.
We
turn to John 1 with its wonderful opening words that speak of the Word of God
made flesh in Jesus.
But
we rarely turn to Mark 1. Mark doesn’t include any account of the birth of
Jesus – and yet the opening of Mark’s gospel takes us to the heart of the
message of Advent.
The
opening verses could be the description of the start of the Gospel … or it
could be a title for the whole gospel.
An
ancient tradition suggests Mark’s gospel was based on the reminiscences of
Peter. It’s usually suggested that John Mark took down notes from Peter while
he was imprisoned in Rome.
Another
commentary invites us to reflect on the possibility that Mark’s gospel emerges
from the church community that met in Peter’s house in Capernaum. Most suggest
it is the earliest Gospel. What if it is written as the storm clouds are
gathering in Galilee in the 60’s AD. The zealots have won out. Those who want
to take up arms against Rome have won the argument and there is about to be a
rebellion.
And
it is clear the Romans are going to put the rebellion down brutally.
What
of the foillowers of Jesus?
They
are drawn to Jesus’ way, a very different way, that rejects the violence of the
zealots and is built on love for God, love for neighbour nd love for enemy too.
So
the life and teaching the death and resurrection are only the beginning of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We
need always to recall the life and teaching, the death and resurrection of
Jesus – and keep the faith, hold to the way of Jesus.
This
is very powerful for us, not least this year, with all its uncertainties. The
violence unleashed by Trump in Palestine and Israel – hang on there.
The beginning of
the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
We
look to the coming of Christ as Advent unfolds. We are to keep the faith, hold
on to the way of Jesus.
So
what is the basis for our faith.
First,
we look to the written word. The opening of Mark’s Gospel echoes the opening of
the Torah – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Then
Mark quotes from the prophet Isaish
The
Written Word
In the beginning –
from Genesis 1
First,
we look to the written word. The opening of Mark’s Gospel echoes the opening of
the Torah – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Then
Mark quotes from the prophet Isaish
Reading:
Mark 1:2-3
As
it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
‘See,
I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the
voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight” ’,
It’s
all about preparing The Way. The Way we
are to follow.
These
words of Isaiah come from a time when everything has collapsed, the people are
in exile in Babylon and everything is devastated. And yet there are words of
hope …
&
Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort, O comfort
my people,
says your God.
Speak
tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that
she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that
she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
A
voice cries out:
‘In the wilderness
prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for
our God.
Every valley shall
be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground
shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of
the Lord shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’
A
voice says, ‘Cry out!’
And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’
All
people are grass,
their constancy is like the flower of the
field.
The
grass withers, the flower fades,
when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
The grass withers,
the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand for ever.
Get
you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift
up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
lift it up, do not fear;
say
to the cities of Judah,
‘Here is your God!’
See,
the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his
reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will feed his
flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in
his bosom,
and gently lead the mother sheep.
In
bold:
1. Comfort,
2. The Way
to follow
3. Valleys
lifted up, rough places smoothed, mountains lowered
4. The
Word of God abides for ever
5. Here is
our God
6. He will
feed his flock like a shepherd.
This is what we hold on to.
We
can make these words our prayer
God,
who spoke in the beginning,
by
your word all life began!
Still,
your words in Law and story,
shape
our purpose, show your plan.
Ancient
words we all inherit,
words
of wisdom, help and merit,
teach
us how we ought to be:
humble,
gracious, endlessly.
By
your written words draw near,
let
your love sustain us here.
112 God whose
almighty word
1 God,
whose almighty word,
chaos and darkness heard,
and took their flight:
hear us, we humbly pray,
and where the gospel-day
sheds not its glorious ray,
let there be light!
2 Saviour, who came to bring
on your redeeming wing
healing and sight,
health to the sick in mind,
sight to the inly blind:
O now to all mankind
let there be light!
3 Spirit of truth and love,
life-giving, holy dove,
speed on your flight!
move on the water's face
bearing the lamp of grace
and, in earth's darkest place,
let there be light!
4 Gracious and holy Three,
glorious Trinity,
wisdom, love, might:
boundless as ocean's tide
rolling in fullest pride
through the world far and wide,
let there be light!
John
Marriott (1780–1825)
The
Fiery Prophet
For
Mark it wasn’t just a written word from the past. It was a living word from the
present.
And
so he turns next to tell of John the Baptist. This goes right to the heart of
Advent. The birth of John the Baptist figures large in Luke 1 and 2.
He
comes on the scene here in Mark 1:4-8
Reading:
Mark 1:4-8
John
the baptizer appeared in the wilderness,
proclaiming
a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
And
people from the whole Judean countryside
and
all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him,
and
were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
Now
John was clothed with camel’s hair,
with
a leather belt around his waist,
and
he ate locusts and wild honey.
He
proclaimed,
‘The
one who is more powerful than I is coming after me;
I
am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
I
have baptized you with water;
but
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’
A
baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Repentance
– a whole new way of thinking
Clothing
and diet – that of a prophet – reminiscent of Elijah and Elisha.
The
prophets had been dormant.
Now
a prophet had arisen.
What
did prophets do?
They
spoke truth to power.
Luke
tells us more of John’s message – a radically different message that was
opposed to the Roman way and the way of Herod.
Indeed,
it is when he speaks out against Herod and his personal dealings that John is
arrested. And only then does Jesus minhistry begin – but it is as if Jesus
takes up the mantle of John.
Who
are those prophetic voices speaking truth to power today. The living prophets
we need to heed.
Bishop
Angelos of the Coptic Christians challenging us to forgive.
Gordon
Wilson’s widow.
Bringing
forgiveness into the heart of our way of living.
We
can use these words as a prayer …
God,
who sent us fiery prophets,
fearless,
faithful, all for you,
still,
their strident call for justice
speaks
to challenge all we do.
Living,
present, urgent voices
put
before us vital choices:
will
we work for God today,
will
we follow in your way?
Through
such prophets, still draw near;
let
your love sustain us here.
277 Hark the glad
sound
1 Hark the glad sound! the Saviour
comes,
the Saviour promised long;
let every heart exult with joy,
and every voice with song!
2 He comes the prisoners to relieve,
in Satan's bondage held;
the gates of brass before him burst,
the iron fetters yield.
3 He comes the broken hearts to bind,
the bleeding souls to cure;
and with the treasures of his grace
to enrich the humble poor.
4 The sacred year has now revolved,
accepted of the Lord,
when heaven's high promise is
fulfilled,
and Israel is restored.
5 Our glad hosannas, prince of peace,
thy welcome shall proclaim,
and heaven's eternal arches ring
with thy most honoured name.
Scottish
Paraphrases (1781)
There’s
the power of the written word – do join us in reading together from Fresh from
the Word – copies available.
There’s
the living word of fiery prophets who are around today – and whose voice needs
to be heard.
But
then there is the presence of God in Jesus.
The
question I will be posing for Year 7’s tomorrow from Pittville – the God we
believe in, the God of the Universe, the God of philosophy, of the God made
known to us in Jesus.
My
usher rang out of the blue this week – and he’s been to Skegness – not sure if
it is Butlins any more. A folk festival, Billy Bragg, and Martyn Joseph – had
2000 people eathing out of his hand – this was the first I heard Martyn Joseph
– and it’s stuck with me ever since.
What
if God was one of us?
God
Present in Jesus
This
is what we are to hold on to, this is the way we are to follow …
Reading:
Mark 1:9-15
In
those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and
was baptized by John in the Jordan.
And
just as he was coming up out of the water,
he
saw the heavens torn apart
and
the Spirit descending like a dove on him.
And
a voice came from heaven,
‘You
are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into
the wilderness.
He
was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan;
and
he was with the wild beasts;
and
the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested,
Jesus
came to Galilee,
proclaiming
the good news of God, and saying,
‘The
time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;
repent,
and believe in the good news.’
Going
to be bpatised by John, Jesus lines himself up with John – he’s with John when
it comes to living life under Roman occupation.
And
in some way God is in it – something is happening.
And
the whole point is that he experiences humanity at its worst – temptation just
like any one of us. HE experiences the
wild beasts just like we all do.
Is
that a reference to the brutality of the Roman regime as well?
Then
comes his message.
The
time is fulfilled – this is the moment – seize the moment.
Good
News of God.
The
kingdom of God has come near – God’s rule is made real.
Repent
– have a whole new way of thinking.
This
can be our prayer
God
who came to us in person,
walking
with us here on earth,
still,
the way you took in Jesus
shows
your wisdom and your worth!
Selfless,
sharing, kind and caring,
learning
humbly, yet so daring;
for
our rescue flailed alive,
spat
upon, then crucified.
Living
Jesus now draw near,
let
your love sustain us here.
And
so we look to God present in Jesus and sing that hymn by John Campbell.
God,
who spoke in the beginning,
by
your word all life began!
Still,
your words in Law and story,
shape
our purpose, show your plan.
Ancient
words we all inherit,
words
of wisdom, help and merit,
teach
us how we ought to be:
humble,
gracious, endlessly.
By
your written words draw near,
let
your love sustain us here.
God,
who sent us fiery prophets,
fearless,
faithful, all for you,
still,
their strident call for justice
speaks
to challenge all we do.
Living,
present, urgent voices
put
before us vital choices:
will
we work for God today,
will
we follow in your way?
Through
such prophets, still draw near;
let
your love sustain us here.
God
who came to us in person,
walking
with us here on earth,
still,
the way you took in Jesus
shows
your wisdom and your worth!
Selfless,
sharing, kind and caring,
learning
humbly, yet so daring;
for
our rescue flailed alive,
spat
upon, then crucified.
Living
Jesus now draw near,
let
your love sustain us here.
John
Campbell
Prayers
of Concern – Sharon
Hymn:
God who spoke
Through centuries
long the prophets of old
in story and song
this promise foretold:
a Saviour
anointed, a Sovereign supreme,
divinely appointed
to rule and redeem.
In judgment and
peace his power shall be shown,
his kingdom
increase, his justice be known;
from
nation to nation his reign shall extend
the
hope of salvation and life without end.
He comes not in
state with sceptre and crown,
with panoply great
of rank or renown,
but choosing in
weakness, his glory put by,
majestic in
meekness, to serve and to die.
In
mercy he came our burden to bear,
our
sorrow and shame, our guilt and despair;
an
outcast and stranger, he carried our loss
from
Bethlehem's manger to Calvary's cross.
He
rose from the grave, exalted again,
almighty
to save, immortal to reign;
let
sorrows be ended and joy be restored
for
Christ is ascended, for Jesus is Lord!
Then
honour his Name, rejoice at his birth,
his
wonders proclaim through all the wide earth!
the
child of our story in Bethlehem's stall
is
reigning in glory, our God over all.
Timothy
Dudley Smith
Children
and Young People return
Lighting the first
two Advent Candles
A
candle flame takes away the darkness.
As
we light our Advent candles we remember that Jesus said,
I
am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but
will have the light of life.
The first candle
reminds us of hope in a world that’s
often dark and as we light it we remember a verse from Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope,
be patient when things go wrong and persevere in prayer.
The
second candle reminds us of peace. Jesus
asked us all to work for peace and to be peace-makers
Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
We are going to
sing the first two verses of the Advent hymn we are singing as we light our
candles …
Hymn
Your Promises are coming true
Your
promises are coming true –
our
waiting hopes fulfilled.
Your
light has burst upon our world –
the
new dawn that you willed.
Your
coming gives us hope to live,
and
strength, with you, to build.
Come, Jesus, and
be with us now,
be with us now,
Come, Jesus, and
be with us now!
Our
lives are troubled while we wait –
our
failure leads to fear.
Great
God, we need your healing peace,
both
now and ev’ry year.
Come,
live and die, that we may live
because
you’re always near.
Come, Jesus, and
be with us now,
be with us now,
Come, Jesus, and
be with us now!
Get the youngsters
to share with us what they have been doing.
A
Hy-Spirit Song
Words
of Blessing
