December 2009

VICAR: The Revd. Martin Fredriksen Tel: 694109

PARISH OFFICE (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am - Noon) Tel: 697641

FROM THE VICAR : Two bishops have suggested recently that Christians should make a special effort to wear crosses or fish symbols over Christmas in order to underline that it is fundamentally, a religious festival. We know that the actual date of the birth of Jesus is unknown, but the one chosen comes at a time when the days are beginning to lengthen and originally overlapped the pagan festival of the Sun of Righteousness.

When we look at the state of the world (but has there ever been a time when it has not been in some state or other?), there are those who say, "If there really is a God, then why doesn't He do something about all this?" The answer is quite simply that He has! – but generally mankind has chosen to ignore what He has done.

At a time chosen by Himself, in an insignificant occupied country at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea He decided to intervene personally and was born into a working-class family. Conceived by the operation of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the young Virgin Mary – God becoming flesh like ours ('incarnate'). He was to grow up in an ordinary family, then to teach, preach and heal. He was to be crucified for the sins of all mankind that we might be forgiven for all those things that we do to mess up our own lives, those of our families, communities and nations – and finally inherit the gift of eternal life. This is the true reality and not the sugary (and boozy?) sentimentality that has grown up around the celebration of Christmas.

If this is not God doing something about the situation, then what is?

The opening of John's Gospel, in poetic words that are so greatly loved, but whose significance is mainly lost, tells us:

“He came unto His own and His own received him not. But as many as received Him…….He gave power to become the children of God.”

The state that we find ourselves in, is as a result of attempting to go it alone, rather than seizing on the generosity and love of God that He has shown us through the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Come and join us in worship and appreciate what great things God has done for us all – and then share this Good News with others

Martin Fredriksen.

HOLY BAPTISM

25th October Luis Alexander Cummings
  Esther Violet Coyne and Megan Harriet Coyne (twins)

We welcome them into the Lord’s Family

WEDDINGS

  Helen Margaret Rose Reynolds and Antony James Sadler

Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder.

CHRISTIAN FUNERALS

2nd November Douglas George (Doug) Hart 13th November Ruth Edith Mary Franklin
9th November Phyllis Mary Mason 20th November Helen Dorothy Hill
12th November Olive Mildred Greene 23rd November Dora Caroline (Carol) McCombie
27th November Evelyn Joan Fry    

May they rest in peace and rise in glory

 

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