Sunday 27 December 2020

THE LAST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

"The eyes of the Lord are always upon us, from the beginning of the year, even to the end."

This Sunday is the last Sunday of the year.  This has been a most unusual year for all of us, dominated by the unexpected Coronavirus pandemic, and leading to all kinds of restrictions which we have never before experienced.  This has truly been a year like no other.

Nearly forty years ago, I spent Christmas and the New Year in the lovely city of Toronto in Canada.  In the centre of Toronto, I came across a grand department store with a large front window overlooking the bustling street.  Behind this window there was a splendid display, with life-size characters busy "counting" something.

One was looking at a calendar on the wall, counting the days until the end of the year.  Another was kneeling on the floor, counting the Christmas gifts that had piled up underneath the Christmas tree.  Another was standing at a fireplace, counting the Christmas cards on the mantelpiece and on other furnishings.  Another was in the kitchen, counting the items coming out of various shopping bags. And another was at a desk with a wallet, counting his cents and dollars. But one was at the fireside, reclining in an armchair, quietly telling us what he was doing: "I'm counting my blessings!"

As we come to the last Sunday of the year, this is an opportunity for each of us to "count our blessings."  We could take time to sit down and quietly reflect on the year now coming to a close, and count the blessings we have received in the providence of Almighty God.  Our attitude, then, might be one of thanksgiving.  Even though this has not been the best of years, their must be something for which to express our gratitude.  The love of God has never failed us, and not even a pandemic can separate us from the divine love we see in Jesus Christ.

Let us take a moment to "count our blessings," and express our thanksgiving to God, who, in his love for the world, has safely brought us to this hour, and to the gate of another year.

A happy, healthy and peaceful New Year to you all, with richest blessings in 2021!

THE LAST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
A PRAYER

Gracious God, our creator and judge,
in whose hand are the issues
   of time and eternity:
as another year comes to a close,
we acknowledge our sins and shortcomings.
In the quietness of our hearts
we confess the promises unfulfilled,
the good intentions forgotten,
the opportunities lost or neglected,
and the duties left undone....
We have spoken unkind words
and done ungracious deeds....
We have pursued the wrong desires
and have neglected you, in whom alone
is our very life and peace....
Show us your mercy, your unfailing love,
and forgive, correct and heal us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Eternal Lord God,
by whose command the order of time
  quietly runs its course:
we give you thanks for bringing us
  through a challenging year
  of our life's continuing journey.
Forgive us our ingratitude in the year
that is past, and our forgetfulness of you,
and teach us, now and in the coming days,
  to number our blessings
  and give you due praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

THE BLESSING

May the Lord who has blessed and kept us
  in the year now ending,
preserve our going out and our coming in,
  from this time forth
  and for evermore.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.   Amen.

Friday 25 December 2020

CHRISTMAS DAY

The Christmas story, as recorded in St. Luke's Gospel, was a most incredible event.  The birth was announced by angels, singing in the night sky.  Their message was heard by shepherds, who left their work and went straight to Bethlehem to see the new-born child.  Mary and Joseph were in a stable or cattle stall - not the usual place for a birth.  And at some later point, according to St. Matthew's Gospel, the child was visited by wise men from the east, bearing their threefold gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

There is, however, one person on whom  the story depends, who rarely, if ever, receives a mention.  Nor do we usually see them represented in a Christmas crib.  That is the inn-keeper.  We are told that there was no room at the inn for Mary and Joseph on the night that Jesus was born.  But we are told nothing about the inn-keeper who led the couple to a cattle stall or some other structure, so that the birth could take place.

We do not know the inn-keeper's name or anything about their identity.  Yet this was the one person who did something practical and positive when there was no room in his hostelry, and offered the couple help when help was urgently needed.

Here is a Christmas thought!  The main characters in the Christmas story are well-known.  One of them is anonymous, but without their contribution, the story would not have taken the shape that it does.  The inn-keeper gave Mary and Joseph accommodation when the inn was filled with guests.  He could easily have turned them away, and ignored their plight.  Instead, he did something practical, but remains anonymous to us.

In the Christian faith, there are countless people like that inn-keeper: people who are unknown to the world, but are known to God.  The inn-keeper is a reminder today of those 'anonymous Christians' on whom the whole fabric of the world depends, and whose practical and positive help we all need.

On Christmas Day, let us remember them, and give thanks for their service and self-sacrifice on our behalf.  Like the inn-keeper, these saintly souls are anonymous to us.  But day by day - and even on Christmas Day - they keep the wheels of civilisation turning for us.

A happy, peaceful Christmas Day to you all!

A CHRISTMAS DAY BLESSING

May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child
be ours this Christmas Day.   Amen.

Sunday 20 December 2020

THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

On this Fourth Sunday of Advent we are moving closer to the celebration of Christmas Day.  It is often said that Christmas is an occasion for the children, a children's festival, a time for our young people to enjoy themselves in the traditional way.

This is not surprising, since much of the commercial side to Christmas, particularly the lavish advertising that seems to start earlier each year, is targeted at children and young people.  Thus we often hear it said that 'Christmas is a time for the children.'

Christmas should not, however, be understood in this way.  Christmas should not be thought of as a children's festival, even if our thoughts are firmly focussed at this time on the Christ child, born at Bethlehem, to a young woman called Mary.

At Christmas the Christ child does take centre place.  But Christmas is a festival for everyone - for people of all ages.  The stories of the birth of Jesus are not children's stories, and were never written with children in mind.  These are stories for all of us, irrespective of our age.

The stories of our Lord's birth were written to make a
statement about him. Their purpose is to emphasise his
uniqueness, and to tell us that throughout the whole of
Jesus's life, God's hand is at work.  There is no other
person like Jesus.  There is no greater teacher than 
Jesus.  There is no Saviour compared to Jesus.  Mary's 
child is unique in every respect, and the hand of God is
at work in him throughout his life and beyond.

Jesus is God's gift to all of us, whether or not we are 
children.  To see Christmas as a children's event is to
misunderstand its nature.  As someone once put it: Jesus is 'the human face of God.'  This is what the stories of his birth were written to make known to us.

O come, then, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!

A happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas to you all!

A PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS DAY

All praise to you,
Almighty God and heavenly king,
who sent your Son into the world
to take our nature upon him
and to be born of a pure virgin.
Grant that, as we are born again in him,
so he may continually dwell in us
and reign on earth as he reigns in heaven
with you and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.   Amen.

CHRISTMAS PRAYERS

Almighty God, by whose grace we celebrate
  Christmastide:

May the light of the Christmas Gospel
fill your Church with joy and  peace in believing:
that like the star once shining in the east,
your Church may become the very light
that leads people, here and everywhere,
to the cradle, the cross, and the crown
of Mary's child, Jesus Christ....

May the Christmas promise
of peace on earth and goodwill to all people
be much more real for us, and for the world
at this time of joyful celebration.
May the love of Christ, the Prince of Peace,
come and enfold us, bringing his peace
to the Church and to the nations,
to communities and individuals,
to our homes and to our hearts....

May the Christmas gift of light to the world
bring hope and comfort to those who live
in the darkness of this world, especially
at this time of ongoing pandemic:
to the sick, the suffering, the sorrowing,
to the hungry, the homeless, the helpless,
and to all those who cannot share the spirit
of this holy season, quietly recalling in faith
any known to us, and loved by us....

And so to all who need our prayers:
to those for whom we have prayed,
and to all for whom we have not prayed
but are known to you, most loving God,
may the coming Christ bring healing 
and hope, and his eternal blessing....

All this we ask through Jesus Christ,
the world's true light, for ever shining,
who is Lord and Saviour of all.   Amen.

THE BLESSING

May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child
be ours this Christmas.

And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be upon us, and remain with us always.   Amen.

Sunday 13 December 2020

JOHN THE BAPTIST

"The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh
   shall see it together."

Our modern world is one of sending messages, whether by traditional means or by the various ways of technology at our disposal.  During this year of pandemic, the electronic way has become much more widely used, though there are still those for whom pen and paper will never be surpassed.

Our world is indeed one of sending messages, while our post and parcel services, with other couriers, continue to serve as messengers. In the Advent story, John the Baptist is regarded as a messenger, called to 'prepare the way' for the coming of the Messiah, which we find rooted in the Old Testament.

In a passage from the book of Isaiah (40:1-11), the prophet foretells the coming of God's messenger to 'prepare the way' for his Chosen One - someone later identified as John the Baptist.  John was what we would call an eccentric: he lived an austere life, dressed up in strange clothes, ate locusts and wild honey, and behaved in a way that many would regard as bizarre and unorthodox.

As a preacher in his own right, the interesting fact about John is that he never sought publicity for himself.  John regarded his ministry as one of preparation - as one of 'preparing the way' for the 'advent' or 'coming' of Jesus Christ.  When Jesus finally appeared, John retreated into the background to allow Jesus to have the foremost place.  From what we know about him, John never sought to draw attention to himself, or crave the kind of publicity that attention-seekers look for today.

It is often said that we live in a celebrity-driven culture, where many go to inordinate lengths to attract public attention and approval.  One writer has recently said that we are living in an "attention-seeking society," where self-worship has reached new heights and is almost a national industry.  Yet John the Baptist, in spite of his eccentric appearance and erratic manner, stands as a reminder to all of us that while "attention-seeking" might be the way of the world, it is not the Christian way.

Humility and grace are Christ's way, and this is something of which John the Baptist was acutely aware.

As part of our Advent discipline, we could reflect on this, and work for a world where humility and grace, with a profound absence of "attention-seeking," are much more in evidence, and where John the Baptist's modesty becomes an example to follow.

Almighty and ever-living God,
by whose power John the Baptist
was born into the world
as forerunner of the promised Messiah:
help us to hear and to heed once more
his message of repentance
and amendment of life,
and to follow his blessed example
of humility and self-denial;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK

Almighty God,
you sent your servant John the Baptist
to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah.
Inspire the ministers and stewards of your truth
to turn our disobedient hearts to you,
that when the Christ shall come again
to be our judge
we may stand with confidence before his glory;
who is alive and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.   Amen.

From:   Common Order (Church of Scotland),
             Edinburgh 1994, 649

THE BLESSING

May the Lord Jesus Christ,
who by his most blessed Advent,
came to redeem the world,
sanctify our bodies, minds and spirits;
that we may await his coming again in glory
with faith, and without fear.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.   Amen.

Sunday 6 December 2020

THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST

"The Son of Man will come with power and great glory!"

The Advent season was, and still is for many people, one of preparation for the "coming" or "arrival" of Jesus Christ.  It has also historically been one of getting ready for what is called the Second Coming of Christ at the end of history.

The shortness of time is something that we are conscious of these days.  Since lockdown started in March, the days have passed quickly, while people often say that the years are moving on at an incredible pace.  Many great people have expressed anxiety at the shortness of time.  Robert Louis Stevenson, in his Songs of Travel, noted his fear of "the sunset gun" going off too soon, while the poet Keats, in When I Have Fears, expressed an anxiety that he might "cease to be" before completing his work.

Like so many great people before him, St. Paul was haunted by the shortness of time.  This was founded on his belief that the Second Coming of Christ was imminent.  Indeed, the early Christian Church expected Christ to return to this world at any moment, and people had to be prepared for it.  Therefore, in Romans 11:11-14, the apostle affirms his belief that time is short, that the Lord's coming is near, and that his readers ought to live in such a virtuous way as befits this cataclysmic event.

What are we to make of this today?  After some two thousand years, this event, with its attendant drama, has not happened.  Jesus Christ has not returned to earth as expected, and in the powerful way described in some of our Advent hymns.  Perhaps we need to interpret this less literally, and look at the conviction on which this belief rests.

The conviction is that history is not, as some suppose, a series of unrelated events, thrown together by pure chance.  All history has a meaning and purpose to it, and the climax of history will be the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ, and of everything that he stands for.  In other words: there is a reason for our being here, and all events, good or otherwise, are part of God's plan, leading to the final triumph of Jesus Christ.  Therefore, as Professor William Barclay puts it: we should live in such a way as if Jesus were to come among us at any moment.  For every day, we draw nearer to that time when the child of Bethlehem will be Lord of all.

In this Advent season, we may ask ourselves if we are living in a way that would meet with Christ's approval should he come - or in a way that brings judgment on us and dishonour to his name.

Whatever view we take of the Second Coming, it points to the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ, whose birth at Bethlehem we celebrate shortly!

Holy God, righteous and merciful,
beyond our deepest understanding,
yet made known to us in Jesus Christ:
as we come to this season of Advent,
take your Church, and strengthen it;
take our world, and cleanse it;
take our nation, and purify it;
take our health, and restore it;
take our lives, and make them
fit for every duty that awaits us,
that we may be faithful servants
of Jesus Christ, whose coming we await
and whose day draws near.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR ADVENT

Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away
the works of darkness
and put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ
came to us in great humility;
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge both the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.   Amen.

From:   Common Order (Church of Scotland),
             Edinburgh 1994, 649

THE BLESSING

The God of peace make us holy in all things
that we may be ready at the coming of our Lord
  Jesus Christ.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.   Amen.

Sunday 29 November 2020

ADVENT SUNDAY

Today is Advent Sunday, sometimes called the First Sunday of Advent or First Advent Sunday.  In the Western Christian Churches, this marks the first day of the new Christian Year, and also the start of the Advent season.  The colour violet or purple is used in Advent; the first Advent candle is traditionally lit in the worship service; and clergy are usually robed in violet-coloured or blue vestments.  

The word "Advent" comes from the Latin adventus, meaning "coming" or "arrival."  In a Christian context, this refers to the "coming" or "arrival" of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day, and also to his so-called Second Coming at the end of time.

Historically, however, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.  In Advent, new Christians underwent preparation for baptism at Epiphany in January, and would spend the days in penance, prayer and fasting.  In the Middle Ages, the Advent season became explicitly linked to Christ's first coming at Christmas, and the majority today would no doubt understand Advent in this way.

In modern times, Advent is usually associated with holidays, celebrations, shopping, lights, cards and decorations, wreaths, calendars and candles and other artefacts.  The notion of fasting in Advent (as in Lent) has largely disappeared from public consciousness, though some Christians still practise it as a spiritual discipline.  Advent has become a secularised season leading up to Christmas, the spiritual nature and the
seriousness of which are preserved in its colour of violet or purple.

How might we use Advent today?  This year, we could use
Advent as a time of reflection, looking back on the dark days of pandemic and lockdown, while also thinking of the evil, violence and other forces of darkness so evident in the world today.  We could also consider the sinfulness in our own lives and our constant need of God's forgiveness and grace.  Then we could look forward in hope to the coming of God in Jesus Christ, and reaffirm our wholehearted trust in him.  For as George Wallace Briggs (1875-1959) reassures us in his fine hymn:

"Christ is the world's true light, 
its captain of salvation,
the daystar clear and bright
of every race and nation."

Advent as a season may have lost its traditional role.  But these days preceding Christmas may still be a time to reflect, and to pray that the long-expected Jesus will inspire us to make this world more Christ-centred, and our own lives more Christ-like.

Lord our God, by whose everlasting grace
we come to these holy days of Advent:
may this special season always be for us
a time of reflection, repentance and renewal;
and by the power of your Holy Spirit,
prepare us once more for the birth of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ, the child in the manger,
the infant of Mary, the world's true light
   for ever shining.   Amen.

A  GENERAL PRAYER

Gracious God, source of all life and light,
as we begin this season of Advent,
we ask your blessing on our Church, 
our world, our nation and our community,
and especially on your people at this time
of pandemic, when many are anxious 
about the present, and fearful of the future.
Enfold us and surround us with your presence;
assure us of your love that will not let us go;
and may your saving power be at work among us
and within us, now and at all times.
We ask this prayer in the name of your dear Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ, whose coming we await,
and whose day draws near.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR ADVENT SUNDAY

Lord our God,
on the first day of creation
you made the light that scatters all darkness.
Let Christ, the light of lights,
hidden from all eternity,
shine at last on your people
and free us from the darkness of sin.
Fill our lives with joy
as we go out to welcome your Son at his coming.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.   Amen.

From:  The Promise Of His Glory,
            London 1991, 345

THE BLESSING

Look forward in hope
to the coming of our Saviour;
prepare the way for Christ our Lord;
welcome him with love and faith
when he comes in glory.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.   Amen.

Sunday 22 November 2020

'CHRIST THE KING' SUNDAY

This Sunday (22 November) marks the end of the Christian
Year.  Thereafter, we pass into Advent, leading on to the
celebration of Christmas.  In many branches of the Christian Church, this Sunday is celebrated as 'Christ the King' Sunday, a day on which Christ's authority over all things is recognised and acknowledged - the One in whom "God in all his fullness chose to dwell."  (Colossians 1:19)

In the period after the First World War, there arose a profound suspicion of authority, while the inter-war years saw an increase in the process of secularisation in Europe.  In the political sphere, dictatorships were on the rise, while even in the Church, much of traditional Christianity - including the authority of Jesus Christ -
was being questioned.   Something was needed to bring Christ back into focus in a sceptical age.

It is said that 'Christ the King' Sunday began in 1925 as a means of restating the ultimate sovereignty of Jesus Christ over all things, and was soon taken up by mainstream Christian denominations.

One of the lessons of 'Christ the King' Sunday is that we all live under the just and gentle rule of Jesus Christ - the One who according to St. Paul, has "the primacy over all creation." (Colossians 1:15)

When we speak of Christ as King, we are not thinking of some oppressive ruler, but as one who was willing to die for us, and one whom God raised to the highest place in his presence.  The Christ whom the disciples followed here is now the risen, ascended and glorified Lord to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given.  And today, he brings us mercy, love and forgiveness - those healing tools that our wounded world so desperately needs.

At this time of pandemic, and when so much around us seems to defy logic and common sense, and in an age where many voices clamour for our allegiance, it is reassuring to know that 'Christ the King' is our ultimate authority, and that his rule is one of light, and love and life!.

"The Lord is King: let the earth rejoice!"

Holy God, righteous and merciful,
on this Christ the King Sunday,
we confess that we have failed to live
as if Christ ruled over us, as if Christ
inspired us, guided and directed us.
Having honoured him with our lips,
we have betrayed him by our thoughts,
words and deeds, and in various ways
we have lived as if we had no need of him....

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways.
Create in us a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us,
that we may walk in Christ's way
and live by his truth,
every moment of our day
and every day of our life;
for his name's sake.   Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Almighty and everlasting God,
of whose faithfulness there is no end:

On this Christ the King Sunday
we pray for the life of the world,
for all nations, and their governments,
that there may be peace and plenty here,
and in all parts of the earth....

On this Christ the King Sunday
we pray for our country, for those who lead us,
for all who serve us, for all on whom we depend
for life and health, for security and safety.
As we acknowledge their gifts and calling,
may we always recognise that, in light and shade,
we live under Christ's most just and gentle rule....

On this Christ the King Sunday
we pray for the Church of Jesus Christ:
that the Church may be strengthened in faith
and renewed in holiness and vision;
and so be more conformed to Christ's image
and to his purpose for us and for all mankind....

On this Christ the King Sunday
we pray for all who are in need:
for the sick, the suffering, the sorrowful,
and for those afflicted in any way,
by pain, by pandemic, by personal
or other circumstances....
May Christ the King grant them
health of body, soundness of mind,
serenity of spirit, and peace of heart,
  now and always....

On this Christ the King Sunday
we pray for ourselves, especially
at this time of continuing uncertainty,
that amidst the challenges of this life
we may find our help and our hope
in the unfailing love of Jesus Christ;
to whom, with you, Father, and the Holy Spirit,
be all glory, honour and praise,
in time, and in all eternity.   Amen.

THE BLESSING

Christ our King make us faithful
and strong to do his will,
and bring us to reign with him in glory.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us,
now and always.   Amen.

Sunday 15 November 2020

SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT
REMEMBRANCE: ONE FINAL THOUGHT

For the last two weeks, our thoughts have been focussed on the theme of "remembrance."  On All Saints' Day we honoured God's faithful people of every age and place, remembering especially those known to us and loved by us, whose memory we treasure.  Then on Remembrance Sunday and on Remembrance (Armistice) Day, we paid tribute, through curtailed ceremonies, to all who made the supreme sacrifice, that we might live in a world of justice, peace and freedom.  

In the village of Lochawe in Argyll, just off the road between Dalmally and Oban, stands the beautiful St. Conan's Kirk, often described as 'Argyll's hidden gem.'  Designed and built by Walter Douglas Campbell, St. Conan's Kirk attracts visitors from all over the world, with its splendid lochside setting and easily reached location.  Indeed, the Kirk is unique in the Scottish Highlands for having an example of almost every style of Church architecture - with a Norman doorway, Gothic flying buttresses, a Saxon tower and a Celtic cross.

At the Kirk there is an oval, white marble plaque in memory of Lieutenant Ian Alastair Campbell of Barcaldine, 2nd Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, who was mortally wounded on 21st October 1899 at the Battle of Elandslaagte (one of the Boer War battles), "while giving a drink of water to a wounded foe."

Over the years, we have rightly remembered and paid tribute to those who laid down their lives for their friends.  Here is a young man, however, who gave his life for his enemy.  We are unable to tell if this is a unique, isolated incident, or whether there are others who lost their lives while giving some assistance to their enemy.  It may well be that documents yet undiscovered will show this to be a common phenomenon - or we may simply never know.

One of the hardest sayings of Jesus is the command (St. Matthew 5:44) to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors.  In other words, Jesus calls his disciples to treat people in such a way that no matter what they do to us, and no matter how they treat us, we are still to regard them with a benevolence and goodwill that seeks their highest good.  

Is this an impossible objective?  It certainly goes against our natural tendency to anger and to bitterness.  But that young lieutenant, commemorated at St. Conan's Kirk, who gave his life while helping a foe, is a noble example of what Jesus meant.  What a different world it would be if we were much more conscious of our common humanity in Jesus Christ.

"Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near."

Almighty and ever-living God,
whose glory is the only purpose of our worship:
not as we ought but as we are able,
we come in humility of heart before you -
  our strength in weakness,
  our light in darkness,
  our comfort and peace in sorrow....
As we acknowledge you to be our God,
we confess how unworthy we are to be
called your children; how unfit to be your
servants; for we have sinned against you
and against one another in thought and
word and action, through ignorance,
through weakness, through carelessness,
  through our own deliberate fault....
Pardon and deliver us from our sins,
and restore to us the joy of the forgiven.
Take our lives and shape them according 
to your will, and enable us by your grace
to fulfil the duties and demands of our calling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR SCIENTISTS

Almighty God, Creator and Lord of all,
the source of scientific knowledge and skill:
bless the painstaking work of those
who carry on the work of science,
especially those who at this present time
are seeking a vaccine for coronavirus.
May they use their scientific gifts
for the relief of suffering,
for the conquest of disease,
and for the restoration of health,
and may all their efforts be crowned
with true and lasting success;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Guide us, Lord, in all our doings
with your most gracious favour,
and further us with your continual help;
that in all our works,
begun, continued, and ended in you,
we may glorify your name,
and by your mercy attain everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

THE BLESSING

May the love of the Father enfold us,
the wisdom of the Son enlighten us,
the fire of the Spirit inflame us;
and may the blessing of God rest upon us
and abide with us, now and evermore.   Amen.

Wednesday 11 November 2020

​A Remembrance Day Commemoration

"They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning,
We will remember them."

We will remember them.

The Silence
Silence is kept for two minutes.

In memory of those who died,
may we be better men and women;
and in gratitude to God
may we live as those who are not their own
but who are bought with a price.   Amen.

God grant to the living, grace;
to the departed, rest;
to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth,
and all mankind,
peace and concord;
and to us and all his servants
life everlasting.

And the blessing of God Almighty,
te Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us,
this Remembrance Day and always.   Amen.

Sunday 8 November 2020

A THOUGHT FOR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

"At the going down of the sun
 and in the morning,
 We will remember them."

Once again, we come to that poignant day in the year when we remember with thanksgiving all those who laid down their lives on our behalf.  Once again, we think of loved ones, whose names are recorded in registers and inscribed on memorials.  Once again, we remember all those who have no memorial, but are "known unto God."  Once again, we hear these words of Laurence Binyon, recited with clarity and conviction.

It is only right and proper that this Sunday is set apart for remembering those who laid down their lives in our defence.  The theologian Denys Turner says that failure to do so is to treat lightly and indifferently those parts of our past some would prefer to forget, and to distort the present by perverting the true course of our history.  He further asserts that not facing up to the past in an open and truthful way is a gross betrayal of those who gave their today for our tomorrow.

On 14th November 1940, during an air raid at night, the
Cathedral Church of St. Michael in the West Midlands, commonly known as Coventry Cathedral, was reduced to ruins.  Out of the fragments of that shattered shell, there was made a wooden Cross - The Charred Cross -replaced with a replica in 1964 and placed on an altar of rubble inside the ruins of the medieval building. On the wall behind are the words: ''Father Forgive."

On Remembrance Sunday, this could well be our prayer.  As we pause for the traditional silence, and lay our wreaths, these might be the very words to speak softly but sincerely.  When we look back through history at the human cruelty that has scarred it, the words "Father Forgive" have much meaning.  When we look at the world of today, and see man's inhumanity on our television screens, the words "Father Forgive,"  carved within the ruins of the medieval Coventry Cathedral, might be the most appropriate to offer.

After all, this is a short prayer used by Jesus himself.  As the forces of human wickedness tried to do their worst to him, St. Luke (23:34) informs us, in his moving account of the Crucifixion, that Jesus was heard to utter the plea: "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing."

As we remember our wars and all who perished in them, and
as we look at today's inhumanity that threatens the peace and stability of the world, let our prayer be that heartfelt plea that came from Jesus.  Indeed, as Denys Turner argues, looking back over history, and in the face of all our remembrances, this is all we really can say.

PRAYERS FOR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

God of power and love,
bless our country and commonwealth.
Give wisdom and strength to the Queen,
govern those who make the laws,
guide those who direct our common life,
and grant that together we may fulfil our service
for the welfare of the whole people
and for your praise and glory.

Bless our sailors, soldiers, and airmen.
Defend them in danger.
Give them courage to meet
all occasions with discipline and loyalty.
So may they serve
the cause of justice and peace,
to the honour of your name.

Bless our friends
and those who were our enemies,
who suffered or are still suffering from war.
Grant that your love
may reach out to the wounded,
the disabled, the mentally distressed,
and to those whose faith has been shaken
by what they have seen and endured.
Comfort all who mourn the death of loved ones,
and all who this day
miss the comradeship of friends.

Bless your Church throughout the world.
By your Holy Spirit,
draw the scattered flock of Christ
into a visible unity,
and make your Church
a sign of hope to our divided world.
Grant that we who bear your Son's name
may be instruments of your peace,
bringing peace to our homes,
our nation, and our world.

And now, rejoicing in the communion of saints,
we remember those whom you have gathered
from the storm of war
into the peace of your presence,
and give you thanks
for those whom we have known,
whose memory we treasure.
May the example of their devotion inspire us,
that we may be taught to live
by those who learned to die.
And at the last, grant that we,
being faithful till death,
may receive with them
the crown of life that never fades;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

From:   Common Order (Church of Scotland),
Edinburgh 1994, 417, 418, 419

THE BLESSING

God grant to the living, grace;
to the departed, rest;
to the Church, the Queen,
the commonwealth, and all mankind,
peace and concord;
and to us and all his servants,
life everlasting.

And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with us and abide with us always.   Amen.

Sunday 1 November 2020

TRINITY 21
THOUGHTS FOR ALL SAINTS' DAY

In the Christian Year, this Sunday (1st November) is All Saints' Day.  When we think of a saint, we may recall a figure in a stained glass window: a man or woman of exceptional spiritual and moral qualities, whose influence and example have earned them a lasting place in Christian devotion.  We may also find a saint depicted in a painting, memorial, carving, tapestry or other object of Christian art.

In Reformed thinking, all the faithful are saints.  It has been held that saints do not belong exclusively to the past, but are in fact real people in our world today.  It is claimed that each of us has known many saints - those who brought us to faith, those who encouraged us on our way, those who offered care, compassion and comfort when needed, and those who in other ways have supported us on the journey of life.

It has also been said that saints are people who challenge and question our assumptions, who invite us to rethink our outlook and change our way of doing things, and who seek to reshape our whole way of life through their understanding of God.  These too are partners with us in the Christian faith, and we share our work and worship with them.

Saints have often been seen as people about whom little or nothing is known.  These are the unsung souls who have helped to weave the pattern of this world's life without 
recognition or reward.  Their names may not be recorded in a reference book, but are written in the Book of Life; and we owe so much to their Christian conscience and conviction.  This pandemic has created a countless host of unsung souls who have laboured night and day to bring hope where hope is fading.  If not saints, they have shown us saintly qualities.

There are different views within Christianity as to what makes a man or woman a saint.  That said, the saints of every age, however we define them, are commemorated on All Saints' Day, which falls each year on the first day of November.

As we commemorate All Saints' Day, let us give thanks to 
Almighty God for the saints of this and every age, mindful that we are called to follow the example of all God's faithful people down through the ages.  In so doing, let us pray that we may build on their legacy, and finally join them in that 'blest communion, fellowship divine,' sharing together those "inexpressible joys" of the heavenly kingdom.

"Blessed are the pure in heart;
they shall see God."

Gracious God, the King of saints,
you have revealed your love and power
in the lives of your servants of old,
to be an example and inspiration to us.
We confess that we have not loved you
as they did; that we have not served you
as they did; that we have not obeyed you
as they did; that we have not trusted you
as they did, and found the blessing that
they found, in their day and generation....
Forgive our lack of saintly virtue;
and as we rejoice in the faith of your saints
on this special day of remembering,
give us grace to follow their example,
and make us much more worthy
of our own Christian calling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS' DAY

Almighty God,
you have knit together your elect
in one communion and fellowship
in the mystical body of your Son.
Give us grace to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living,
that we may come to those inexpressible joys
which you have prepared
for those who perfectly love you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.   Amen.

From:   Common Order  (Church of Scotland),
             Edinburgh 1994, 690-691

A PRAYER FOR THIS COMING WEEK

Gracious God, faithful and constant
across all the ages: as we pass
through this pandemic, encourage us
through all who have journeyed before us,
that we, in turn, may encourage those
who come after us; and in our own journey
of faith, help us to live from lives lived for you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

THE BLESSING

God give us grace to follow the saints
in faith, hope, and love.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us,
and always.   Amen.

Sunday 25 October 2020

​TRINITY 20
CHANGING THE CLOCK

This Sunday (25th October), the last Sunday of the month,
British Summer Times comes to an end, with the clocks set
back by one hour.  This brings with it short days and longer nights as we move closer to winter, a season certain to be dominated by the coronavirus pandemic.  Nevertheless, on Sunday at 2.00 a.m. British Summer Time (BST) ends and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) begins.

In the Bible, 'time' is an important concept.  In the Old Testament, in the Book of Ecclesiastes (3:1) we read that "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven," while the writer goes on to say (3:11) that "He (God) has made everything to suit its time."  In the New Testament (Ephesians 5:16), St. Paul tells the Christians at Ephesus to "make the best use of time, because the days are evil."  Believers are encouraged to make the most of every opportunity in God's service, and no one would query the wisdom of this advice.

There are many things we can do with time.  We can use it, lose it, spend it, waste it - but we can't replay it.  We may wish we could set back time by an hour, a day, a month or even years.  By so doing, through the gift of hindsight, we could act differently, or consider how events might have turned out had circumstances been different at the time.  Unlike the sports programmes on television, where actions are often repeated in slow motion, there is no possibility of replaying time.  As the Psalmist (90:4) said: "Yesterday is past." And time is always forward-moving.

'If only' is a short phrase in common currency.  We use it to express regret, remorse, sorrow and guilt.  So many feelings and emotions lie behind these two words, which indicate a desire to turn back the clock of life.  Even Jesus might have felt like this when, aware of the death
of his friend Lazarus, he arrived at the home three days later, only to receive Mary's stern rebuke: "If only you had come, my brother would not have died." (St. John 11:32)

Yesterday is past.  And time is always forward-moving.  Those of us of Christian faith can move forward with confidence, rejoicing in the grace of God, offered to us in Jesus Christ.  By that divine forgiveness, the failures of the past lose their power over us, and set us free to move forward in faith with renewed vigour.

As we change the clock, let us continue to "make the best use of time" in God's service!

Holy God, righteous and merciful,
as this new day beckons
with its opportunities of pleasing you,
we acknowledge our sins and shortcomings
and all that is amiss in our lives;
for we have so often resisted your will
and gone our own ways,
ignoring your purpose for our lives....
Forgive us our sins, we pray,
and grant us the grace of a new beginning.
Lift us high above our failures,
and let your forgiveness restore us
and your power remake us,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A GENERAL INTERCESSION

Gracious God, the source of all life and love,
in whose will is our peace, and our perfect freedom:
we ask your blessing on our world, our country,
our Church and community, and on ourselves
at this time of pandemic, when many are anxious
about the present, and fearful of the future.
Enfold us and surround us with your presence;
assure us that your love will never let us go;
let your saving power be at work among us;
and deepen our trust in your love and care;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

PRAYERS FOR THE DAY

Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose grace we come to this new day:
set up your kingdom in our hearts
and make us your obedient servants,
that we may give our lives to your service
and always seek to do your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

Almighty and ever-living God,
God of the morning, God of this new day:
give us, we pray, the humility
to acknowledge our mistakes;
the honesty to recognise our weakness;
the courage to seek your strength;
and the desire to find our satisfaction
in work well done; through Jesus Christ
  our Lord and Saviour.   Amen.

THE BLESSING

May the love of the Lord Jesus
draw us to himself;
may the power of the Lord Jesus
strengthen us in his service;
may the joy of the Lord Jesus
fill our souls;
and may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with us and abide with us always.   Amen.
​

Sunday 18 October 2020

TRINITY 19
LUKE THE PHYSICIAN

"He is the best physician who is the most inspirer of hope."

So said Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the English poet, literary critic, philosopher and theologian, and friend of the famous William Wordsworth.  

In recent months, we have seen the kind of physicians that Coleridge had in mind - men and women who have not only worked in immensely challenging conditions, but have also inspired through their dedication a profound sense of hope in each of us.  

In Old Testament times, there were "professional healers" in Palestine.  They were not, however, always highly regarded.  In Job 13:4 they are dismissed as "worthless physicians," while in the New Testament, there are indications that the medically-gifted might have been more helpful.  In Mark 5:25-34 we hear of a woman who had suffered for twelve years, spending all her savings on long, expensive treatment, only to become worse rather than better.  Hence her approach to Jesus for a lasting
cure.

There is a consensus of opinion that Luke was a physician by profession.  In Colossians 4:14 he is called a "beloved physician, "and in some translations "our dear friend Luke, the doctor."  Luke is widely held to have written the third gospel and Acts, and may have been a physician, living in the Greek city of Antioch in ancient
Syria.  Whatever medical experience Luke possessed, this Sunday, in some branches of the Christian Church, is known as "Luke the Evangelist" Sunday, paying tribute to his perceived role as "Luke the Physician."

Whether or not we follow this custom, we may set aside Sunday to pay special tribute to those dedicated medical professionals, who have fulfilled the duties of their calling through the ages, and even now are working tirelessly to bring healing and wholeness to individuals and communities.  This Sunday let us give thanks in our
own way for all those engaged in the "ministry of medicine" - a corpus of people committed to our health and wellbeing.

In doing so, may "Luke the Evangelist" and "Luke the Physician" keep us conscious of those who work night and day to bring us the benefits of their compassion and unfailing care.

A PRAYER FOR THE PRESENT

​God of love,
your Son brought healing to the sick
and hope to the despairing.
We pray for all who suffer pain,
who bear the burden of illness
at this time of global pandemic.
Give them the comfort and strength
of your peace,
and surround them
with your healing love and power.
May they know the fellowship of Christ
who bore pain and suffering for us,
and at the last won victory over death.

Bless those who share with Christ
a healing ministry,
researchers, doctors, surgeons, nurses.
Use their sympathy and skill
for the relief of suffering,
the conquest of disease,
and the restoration of health;
and crown all their efforts with good success;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE

Guide us, Lord, in all our doings
with your most gracious favour,
and further us with your continual help;
that in all our works,
begun, continued, and ended in you,
we may glorify your holy name,
and by your mercy attain everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord, set your blessing on us
as we begin this day together.
Confirm us with the truth
by which we rightly live;
confront us with the truth
from which we wrongly turn.
We ask not for what we want
but for what you know we need,
as we offer this day and ourselves
for you and to you;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.   Amen.

From:  Common Order (Church of Scotland),
            Edinburgh 1994, 486 (adapted), 465, 519

THE BLESSING

May the grace of Christ attend us,
the love of God surround us,
the Holy Spirit keep us,
this day and for ever.   Amen.

Photograph courtesy of Jim Meredith, Paramedic

Photograph courtesy of Jim Meredith, Paramedic

Sunday 11 October 2020

​TRINITY 18
WHAT IS A GARDEN?

During lockdown, many people passed the time in their garden, seeking rest and relaxation, or working hard to enhance the surroundings of their home.  As Autumn progresses, many gardens are having a final "tidying up";
and as the garden season winds down, brown bins are filled with dead leaves and other refuse.

In Scripture, a garden is regarded as a place of significance and value.  In the creation story in Genesis 2, Adam and Eve were put in the mythological Garden of Eden, a place that came to be thought of as Paradise.  Other Old Testament references confirm that gardens were seen as productive and valued places, as, for example, in Jeremiah 29:5, where God, addressing the Israelites he had exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon, tells them to "plant gardens and eat the produce."

In the New Testament (Mark 14:32), the Garden of Gethsemane was the location where Jesus "prayed in agony" prior to his arrest, while in John's Gospel (19:41-42) we read that after the crucifixion the body of Jesus was taken to a "garden", close to where the crucifixion had taken place.  The Resurrection, therefore, took place in a garden - and when Mary Magdalene went early to the tomb, she had a conversation with a man she thought was the gardener, failing to recognise him as the risen Jesus.

Nowadays we may simply regard our gardens as a place of rest and recreation, and their maintenance as a necessary chore.  Yet Thomas More, the English statesman, philosopher and author, said that "The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden," while many gardens display a well-known quote from a poem by Dorothy Frances Gurney: "One is nearer God's heart in a garden, than anywhere else on earth."  As gardens are significant in the Biblical narrative, they may have a spiritual dimension that has been overlooked.

Given the importance of a garden in the Jewish-Christian tradition, it could well be a place of meditation for many - a place of spiritual nourishment - an area of "sacred space" where we may encounter and commune with God, the living source of nature's beauty.

Have we ever thought of gardens as a sacred space and gardening as a spiritual practice?  In light of the Biblical tradition, a garden may not only be a place for recreation, but one of re-creation to help us on our spiritual journey.  What then is a garden?  Sacred, social, or both?

Almighty God, Lord and Creator of all things,
we give thanks for the gift of your creation
and for our particular place within it.
We bless you for the beauty of the earth,
the sky and the sea, for all creatures
great and small, for the wonder of the world
and for the mystery of the universe.
Above all, we give thanks for the pleasure
a garden brings to each of us,
for its rich variety of colour
and for the caring hands that tend it;
and so we pray that a garden may be
a sacred space, a place of meditation,
a place where we may commune with you.
Accept our gratitude for all your gifts,
and help us always to recognise your hand
in our gardens, and in all you have created;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK

Creator God,
you have made the heavens and the earth
and all that is good and lovely in them.
You have shown us through Jesus our Lord
that the secret of joy
is a heart set free from selfish desires.
Help us to find delight in simple things,
and always to rejoice
in the richness of your bounty;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

God of work and rest and pleasure,
may all that we do this week
be an offering of love as well as of duty.
Keep us, this day and every day,
in the spirit of kindness, simplicity, and joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

From:   Common Order (Church of Scotland),
             Edinburgh 1994, 467, 535

Gracious God, source of all life and love,
we ask your blessing on our world, our nation,
our community, and especially on ourselves
at this time of pandemic, with so many anxious
about the present, and fearful of the future.
Enfold us and surround us with your presence;
assure us that your love will never let us go;
and may your saving power be at work among us
and among all people, now and at all times;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

THE BLESSING

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all,
now and for evermore.  Amen.

Sunday 4 October 2020

​TRINITY 17
A HARVEST THOUGHT

Throughout our life, we have all made promises of one kind or another.  It has been said of promises generally that "they are easy to make, and easier to break."  Nevertheless, there are situations that call for promises
or vows to be taken and kept, either for a short period or as a lifelong commitment.

In Genesis 8:22, God makes this promise: "As long as the earth lasts, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, they will never cease."  As long as the earth remains, there will always be a time to plant seed, and a time to gather in the crops, or to "harvest" them.

The Harvest Thanksgiving services, held in churches throughout the country, are a celebration of what God has provided for our sustenance, and a way of reaffirming our faith in that promise once made to his people.

Some churches, even entire villages, mark their Harvest Festival with a communal supper, though due to the pandemic, many have been cancelled, or are taking place in a 'virtual' way.  It is thought that the British tradition of celebrating the safe gathering-in of the harvest started in 1843.  In that year, the Rev. Robert Stephen Hawker ('Parson Hawker') invited his parishioners to a special thanksgiving service at Morwenstow in Cornwall.  Using Victorian hymns and other praise items, translated from Dutch or German into English, the Harvest Thanksgiving Service became popular and widespread in the 1840s and 1850s - and it remains so today.

The custom of decorating churches with flowers and produce went alongside this, though in many places the Harvest Festival now seeks to highlight world poverty, rather than celebrate personal gain.

If we think about it carefully, many things start as a seed.  Our thoughts, attitudes and actions start as a seed embedded in the mind, and either come to fruition, or vanish in the planting-harvesting process.  When a famous architect was asked what inspired one of his outstanding works, he said that the project began "as a tiny seed in the mind."

Whether or not we are aware of it, each of us is "a planter of seeds."  As we go through life, we plant seeds every day, some of which will come to fruition, while
others will perish by the wayside.  Each of us is "a planter of seeds," and many seeds sown in a young person's life have led to great achievement in adulthood.

As we celebrate Harvestide visibly or 'virtually', what kind of seeds are we sowing?  Are we sowing good seeds that will ripen into merit and virtue?  Or are we sowing
seeds that are best left on stony ground?  Are our seeds Christ-like or Christ-less?  What kind of harvest are we sowing for ourselves, and for those who succeed us?  There is a profound Harvest thought this year!

"The earth has yielded its harvest.
God, our God, has blessed us."

Almighty God,
we offer our hearty thanks
for your goodness and care
in giving to us the fruits of the earth
in their seasons.
Give us grace to use them rightly,
to your glory,
for the relief of those in need,
and our own well-being;
through Jesus Christ, living Bread,
who came down from heaven
and gives life to the world,
and who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.   Amen.

From:   Common Order (Church of Scotland),
             Edinburgh 1994, 689-690

Most generous God,
from whom comes food for our bodies
and nourishment for our spirits:
we confess that all too often
we take your kindness as our due,
and your gifts as our right....
We confess that we have been ungrateful,
and indifferent to you,
on whom we depend for bread and breath,
and our reluctance to share with others
the blessings we richly enjoy....
Bring us now to a true repentance;
pardon our selfishness, our greed,
our desire to gain than to give,
and set us free from all our sins;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

HARVEST PRAYERS

Gracious God,
as we celebrate Harvestide,
we pray for all who provide our Harvest gifts:
for those who gather in the harvest of land and sea,
sustaining our life, and working hand in hand with you;
that through their toil, their skill, their courage,
and their commitment to their calling,
we may enjoy the fruits of your creation....
Lord, hear our prayer.

Gracious God,
as we celebrate Harvestide,
we pray for the life of the world:
that we may conserve its resources,
preserve its beauty, and prosper a harvest
of lasting peace in our day and generation;
peace in the Church, and peace among nations,
peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts....
Lord, hear our prayer.

Gracious God,
as we celebrate Harvestide,
we pray for those less fortunate than ourselves:
for the poor, the hungry, the homeless,
the oppressed; for those overwhelmed by 
pandemic or other disaster; for those whose
crops have failed; and for all those who lack
the necessities of life, that you may enable us
to share from our abundance with those who
live in need, and cry for help....
Lord, hear our prayer.

Gracious God,
as we celebrate Harvestide,
hear the prayers of your people,
and help us to make the harvest of life
your special and unending joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

THE BLESSING

May the grace of Christ attend us,
the love of God surround us,
the Holy Spirit keep us,
at Harvestide and for ever.   Amen.

Sunday 27 September 2020

TRINITY 16
OUR UNRESTRICTED GOD

With the rapid increase in the coronavirus infection rate, the imposing of new and tighter restrictions is inevitable.  Not so long ago, there were sure signs that the virus was under control, though warnings were given of a possible second wave.  This has all but happened, and one MSP remarked: "We are back to where we did not want to be."

Television interviews give us an insight into how the public react to newly-imposed restrictions.  While some welcome them as an essential measure, others think differently, and regard them as a restraint on personal liberty, or a further threat to economic recovery.  Whether we like them or not, the fact remains that in this pandemic we simply cannot do as we please, and that some regulation is beyond question.

We can easily put God's people under restrictions.  We are not able, however, to put God under restrictions. The Old Testament provides a picture of a God who is forever patient, kind and long-suffering with his people.  Thus in Psalm 103:8 we read that:

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."  The word "abounding" suggests that God's love is not tied to regulation, but is ever-giving and overflowing.

In Psalm 121:4 we are told that God "will never slumber nor sleep."  Once again, this is a way of saying that the Lord will never let us go, and keeps a constant watch over his people, night and day.  In a word, the Lord is "never off duty" - he never rests, or neglects the people under his charge.  These are simple thoughts in simple words, but they do convey the truth that we cannot put God under restriction or regulation.

In the New Testament, in St. Matthew's Gospel (5:45), it is said that God "makes his sun to shine on the good and the evil: he sends his rain on the just and the unjust."  This further informs us that God's benevolence is not bestowed according to regulation, but is given by God's amazing grace.  

We may or may not like living under new and tighter restrictions.  Nevertheless, it is reassuring to know that even if God's people can be subject to them, God himself is above all human regulation.  As Professor William Barclay puts it: "In God there is this universal
benevolence even towards those who have broken his law and broken his heart."  The God we worship is "our unrestricted God."

Whatever the coming days bring, let us take comfort from the Psalmist, who assures us that:

"The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."


God of all goodness and grace,
giver of every good and perfect gift:
we give thanks for all your goodness
and loving kindness to us and to all people.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but most of all for your love,
given to us freely and without
restriction or restraint....
In these days of upsurge in virus,
help us to put our whole trust in you,
to follow faithfully wherever you lead,
and to rejoice in that love divine
which knows no boundaries,
brought to us in Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be all honour and glory,
for ever and ever.   Amen.

PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK

Lord, when it is dark and we cannot feel
your presence, and nothing seems real any more,
and we are tempted to give up trying, help us
to remember that you are never really absent
and to trust you still; so may we rest in your love,
and know that underneath are the everlasting arms.
  Amen.

Teach us, O God, to begin our works with faith, to
go on with obedience, and to finish them in love; and
then to wait patiently in hope, knowing that your
promises can never fail; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  Amen.

Father, give to us, and to all your people,
  in times of anxiety, serenity;
  in times of hardship, courage;
  in times of uncertainty, patience;
and at all times a quiet trust in your wisdom and love,
  through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

From:   New Every Morning (New Edition),
             London 1982, 105, 121, 101

THE BLESSING

May the love of the Father enfold us,
the wisdom of the Son enlighten us,
the fire of the Spirit enflame us;
and may the blessing of God rest upon us
and abide with us, now and evermore.   Amen.

Sunday 20 September 2020

TRINITY 15
THE TEN LEPERS: A THOUGHT
FOR 'BATTLE OF BRITAIN' SUNDAY

During this pandemic, the importance of social distancing has been stressed countless times.  Evidence suggests that not everyone has been observing the 2-metre rule, or the 1-metre rule in pubs and restaurants.  We are assured, however, that non-compliance carries a much higher risk of virus transmission.

In the ancient world, leprosy was one of the worst afflictions.  Not only did the victim suffer physically, they were ostracised by society, and rejected as ritually, socially and morally unclean.  The leper was stigmatised: their condition was seen a sign of as sin's destructive power, and so the leper lived in isolation from human contact.  We are not told precisely how far lepers had to socially distance, but 'standing far off' seems a general rule.

In St. Luke 17:11-19, Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, and was passing between Samaria and Galilee, when he was met by a band of ten lepers.  They desperately sought a cure from Jesus, and they got it.  Only one of them returned to give thanks.  He fell at Jesus's feet and kept on thanking him.  He was the least likely to do so, because he was a Samaritan, and the Jews had no dealings with Samaritans.

This story is one of gross ingratitude.  It makes us think of how often we have been indebted to someone for something, but never troubled to express our thanks.  It
makes us think of those guiding lights who have made us what we are, though we have never taken time to say how grateful we are for their nurture, instruction, guidance and grace. It also makes us mindful of our ingratitude to God, who freely gives us gifts richly to enjoy, but does not always get the thanks he deserves.  As Shakespeare said, even the cold winter wind is not so unkind as man's ingratitude.

This week marked the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and Sunday is often called 'Battle of Britain' Sunday.  These were dark days in 1940, when the nation's future hung in the balance, as a whirlwind of hate swept across Europe.  At that time, this country was on the brink of being overwhelmed by that force of evil, only to be saved through the sacrifice of those who became known as 'the few'.  They took to the skies in defence of our country, and to secure for us and for future generations the liberty we so often take for granted.

At this time of significant anniversary, let us not be like the nine lepers who vanished after they got what they wanted from Jesus.  

Rather, let us be like the one who returned to give thanks, and, having done so, renew our liberty to God's service, and to the service of our fellow men and women.

"To those who gave so much, we thank you."

A PRAYER OF COMMEMORATION

Almighty God, from whose love in Christ
we cannot be parted, by death or by life:
on this 80th anniversary of the Battle of
Britain, we remember, and we give thanks
for 'the few', who gave so much to so many,
and for all who have lived and died in the
service of mankind....

We remember their loyalty, their courage,
their devotion to duty, and the human cost
made to protect this country, a cost that
continues to affect many families today....

We remember the liberty they won for us,
and we ask once more for the grace
to dedicate it anew to your service,
and to the service of others....

We remember and give thanks 
for all who have gone before us in the faith,
and have entered that community of love
where Christ has prepared a place for us....

To them all today
goes forth our debt of gratitude....

Keep us in unbroken fellowship
with the whole Church in heaven and on earth,
and bring us at last with all your saints
to glory everlasting;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

THE BLESSING

God grant to the living, grace;
to the departed, rest;
to the Church, and all mankind,
peace and freedom,
and to us in this uncertain world,
eternal life.

And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.   Amen.

Sunday 13 September 2020

​TRINITY 14
SIMON THE SORCERER

These days we are constantly alerted to the danger of fraud, with particular regard to our finances and personal information.

In Acts 8:9-14, we meet a man called Simon Magus, also known as Simon the Sorcerer or Simon the Magician.  He may not have been a "scammer" or a "conscious fraud" in the modern sense, but in an age of astrologers, fortune-tellers and magicians, when people were easily taken in by such practitioners, we may assume that he had considerable influence and a considerable income.

In the early Christian Church, the conferring of God's Spirit upon an individual was by the laying on of hands.  The recipient responded in a visible way by going into an ecstatic state, and by "speaking in tongues,"  or making strange sounds.  In the Jewish mind, the laying on of hands was thought to transfer certain powers from one person to another.  Those who carried out this rite were highly respected, and thought to be in possession of unique powers.

Simon was naturally impressed when he saw what the apostles could do, and desired to have this power for himself.  "Give me too the same power, so that anyone I lay my hands on will receive the Holy Spirit." (Acts 8:19)  To procure this, he offered money, which brought an angry response from Peter, warning him that God's gift was not for sale, and that he and his money could go to damnation!

Simon made the mistake of thinking that he could buy anything he wanted.  This is a mistake many share with him.  There are things in life which cannot be bought with a pocket-book or purse.  We cannot buy integrity, which is
something that must be earned.  We cannot buy true friendship, for no real friendship is ever dependent on money.  We cannot buy time, for each passing moment is time we can never get back.  We cannot buy inner peace, for the serenity we seek is not possible through a financial arrangement.  

There are many lessons to be learned from this pandemic.  One of the most important is that we cannot buy our health.  We can buy medicine and healthcare, but ultimately our health is something with no price tag, and does not come from a supermarket shelf.  Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American philosopher, poet and essayist, said that "The first wealth is health," and it may have taken a pandemic to remind us of this truth.

Simon also made the mistake of thinking he could buy God's gift, which, as Peter pointedly reminded him, was not for sale.  This is also a common mistake, for many believe that they can "earn" or "buy" God's grace and favour by making a monetary offering.  The truth is: God's grace, God's forgiveness, God's mercy, God's love - these come to us freely and without price.   We do not deserve them.  However, we do not "earn" or "buy" them in a way that requires human payment.

We may find this difficult to accept because this is not the way of the modern world, where "there is no such thing as a free lunch!"  Yet this is God's way of doing things -
made known to us in Jesus Christ - and one that should inspire us to give freely and abundantly, and always with thanksgiving!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways," says the Lord.


"Come, let us return to the Lord."

Holy God, righteous and merciful,
as we acknowledge your majesty
and your sovereign rule over all things,
we confess that we have failed
to obey your commandments,
and have fallen short of your glory....
We are unworthy of your gifts,
and undeserving of your grace 
and favour to us....
Yet your love for us remains
constant and unchanging....
In love and mercy, forgive us;
help us to change our ways
and to find life's true purpose
in doing your will;
and bring us at last, with your saints,
to everlasting joy in your presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A GENERAL PRAYER

God of the morning, and of this new day,
our refuge, our rock, our everlasting hope:
We pray for the Church in this parish
and throughout the world,
that your people may be a beacon
of light and hope and love 
in a troubled and uncertain world....
We pray for our community, our country,
and for the nations of the world,
that by the power of your love
they may live in harmony and peace....
We pray for those in need
and for all who suffer at this time,
that the sick may be cared for,
the lonely and the isolated sustained,
and the sorrowing comforted....
We pray for all still affected by this virus,
that your healing hand may touch them,
and that those who gently tend them 
may bring healing and wholeness....
All this we ask through Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Saviour.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR OURSELVES

God of goodness, beauty, and truth,
grant us sound judgment
to search out and praise what pleases you best
and to prize what is precious to you.
Give us a devout reverence for all your works,
and make us day by day
more aware of your presence,
till we come to see you face to face in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

From:   Common Order (Church of Scotland),
             Edinburgh 1994, 471

THE BLESSING

May the love of the Lord Jesus
draw us to himself;
may the power of the Lord Jesus
strengthen us in his service;
may the joy of the Lord Jesus
fill our souls;
and may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with us and abide with us always.   Amen.

Sunday 6 September 2020

TRINITY 13
AUTUMN THOUGHTS

The shorter days, longer nights, falling leaves and changing colours are a sure and certain sign that autumn is approaching - the season between summer and winter, often praised for its stunning beauty.  

What is less known is that autumn has inspired poetry and literary comment.  Albert Cumus (French philosopher) said that "autumn is a second spring when every leaf's a flower," while John Donne (Dean of St. Paul's, London 1621-1631) remarked that "No spring or summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face."  William Cullen Bryant (American poet and journalist) said that autumn is "the year's last, loveliest smile," while Samuel Butler (English novelist) noted that in autumn "what we lose in flowers we gain in fruits."

Autumn has been called "a season of transition," a time of change between one part of the year and another.

If autumn is "a season of transition," it has been said that the world is passing through a period of transition and turmoil.  Everything around us seems so insecure: in Church and nation, and in international affairs.  The pandemic has made this worse, and many are fearful of the future, wondering what they will hear or read about next.

In this rapidly-changing world, it is reassuring to know that God remains constant.  God does not change.  His character remains the same.  Henry Francis Lyte, who wrote Abide With Me, said in verse two that Change and decay in all around I see.  This is a sentiment we can agree with.  It is easy to see change all around us - much of it positive, but much of it also negative, with the decay of moral, spiritual and social values, and the removal of boundaries, once regarded as the linchpins of humanity.  

The truth is: we live in an ever-changing world, but God does not change. As Malachi puts it in the Old Testament (3:6), "I, the Lord, do not change," while in the New 
Testament (Hebrews 13:8), Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God's character, is said to be "the same yesterday, today, and for ever."  God does not change, even if all else changes.

Our need of God does not change.  Whatever life brings, we still need the grace, the love, the forgiveness of God granted to us in Jesus Christ.  We still need that peace
which the world cannot give, and the light that earthly shadows cannot darken.  It is deeply ingrained in the modern mind that "man is the master of his own destiny."  It is true that mass technology allows us to organise our lives in a sophisticated way, and chart our daily journey with little or no divine assistance.  

Yet this pandemic has shown that when an aggressive virus breaks out, with mayhem in almost every country, mastery of our own destiny is far from complete.  Our need of God has not changed.  Indeed, it is greater, for there are many things over which we have no control.  In such circumstances, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble." (Psalm 46)  Only he remains a safe and solid anchor for the troubled soul.

Autumn has almost arrived - "a season of transition and change" -  bridging one part of the year with another.  At this time of change, and in a world where change is constant, let us remember that God does not change, nor does our need of him.  So may we continue to live in his eternal changelessness!

"I, the Lord, do not change."
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, 
today, and for ever."

Gracious God, full of grace and truth,
as we come to the season of autumn,
a time of transition and change,
we confess that we have not put our
whole trust in you, nor have we always
recognised our constant need of you....
In the light and shade of life,
we have trusted too much
on our own wisdom, on our own judgment,
failing to see you as our refuge and strength,
and a present help in all our trouble.... 
Therefore, grant us your forgiveness
and the grace of a new beginning;
and in these changing times and seasons
may we put our confidence only in you,
and in him whom time cannot change,
your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH

As we approach the season of autumn,
we pray, O God, for your Church
in this land and parish, and in every place.
Where it is strong, make it gentle;
where it is weak, make it strong;
where it is honoured, make it humble;
where it is persecuted, make it proud;
where it is wrong, gently correct it;
where it is right, make it firm in faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE NATIONS

Lord God of the nations,
as we approach the autumn of the year,
bless every effort now being made
to make the world a better, and a safer place.
Forgive our share in the world's pain;
and root ot from every heart
all that causes needless suffering.
Preserve us as a nation, and as a people,
from all that is dishonest and degrading,
and grant us your peace in your time;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THOSE IN NEED

As we approach the autumn of the year,
hear our prayer, O God, for those who are ill,
in hospital, hospice, at home or elsewhere.
Give courage, hope and peace to each,
and the knowledge that you are present
in their weakness, pain and suffering.
Hear our prayer for those recently bereaved,
that they may know the power
of the risen Christ to sustain them;
and to those in any kind of need,
bring healing for the present,
and wholeness for the future;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR OURSELVES

Lord God of the seasons,
as summer turns to autumn,
open our eyes to the beauty around us,
and help us to appreciate your generosity
in giving us the different seasons of the year,
each one fulfilling our hope and our needs.
So may our children and future generations
benefit from the beauty of the natural world
that you have created and preserved for us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

THE BLESSING

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all.   Amen.

Sunday 30 August 2020

TRINITY 12
THE MANTLE OF INDIFFERENCE

As we reach the end of summer, and as autumn gently approaches, we may look back over recent months, with a new appreciation of the importance of health, and of the commitment made by so many to ensure our constant wellbeing.  The vast majority has respected the regulations, while others have clearly flaunted them.  This is said to have contributed to sudden spikes in Aberdeen and other parts of the country.

A further group will have been indifferent to the pandemic and its potential consequences - people afflicted with another virus called "indifference" or "apathy."  Denis Duncan has written that "indifference" is a dangerous and infectious disease which, left untreated, can quickly develop into something worse, and is now endemic in every area of life.

In the Book of Lamentations (1:1-12), we hear that Jerusalem is doomed, and the reader is invited into the world of this frightened city, speaking as a person
about "my sorrow", "my suffering" and "my distress."  The story makes a plea to others to recognise its fate:  "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?"  Behind this question lies a fear that there will be those who will be indifferent to the city's pending disaster - they will have an "air of apathy", with little or no interest in the city's tragic tale.

There are those who wear "the mantle of indifference" today, and display their apathy in many ways.  For example, apathy shows itself in the acceptance of, or in a casual attitude to wrong-doing.  The deterioration of standards in society, the insensitivity to grace and goodness, and the rejection of values once deemed necessary for our wellbeing, also testify to the apathy that has infected so much of our culture. 

In 1795 Edmund Burke (British statesman and writer) said that "There is nothing so fatal to religion than indifference."  Quoting John of Salisbury, Burke argued that "the torpor of indifference" is the real force Christians must contend with.  Indeed, in our secular times, it is maintained that Christianity has to wrestle more with indifference, than with open hostility. 

In the Book of Revelation (3:14-22), judgment is passed on the church at Laodicea, a city now located in modern Turkey.  A wealthy, industrial and prosperous city, the
Christians there have wavered in their commitment, and are neither hot nor cold, but only "lukewarm" in their faith. They have donned "the mantle of indifference", and, deceived by material success, are blind to their spiritual poverty.

Indifference and apathy are dangerous and highly infectious. They breed a casual, carefree, couldn't-care-less attitude of mind that allows all kinds of things to happen.  Even in these last months there are some for whom this pandemic has not been taken with the seriousness it deserves.

May God give us grace to cast off "the mantle of indifference", so that we stand for something - lest in our apathy we fall for anything!

"Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?"

We acknowledge, O God, in your presence,
the mantle of indifference
that so easily takes hold of us
and spoils our Christian discipleship:
 our indifference to your word,
 our indifference to your will,
 our indifference to your promises,
 our indifference to your presence....
We acknowledge, O God, the sin of apathy,
 making us lukewarm in our devotion,
 half-hearted in our service,
 uncertain in our commitment,
 insincere in our dealings with others
 and in our dealings with you....
Set us free from our past unconcern,
and help us by your renewing grace
to stand firm for what is right,
and to know, and love and serve you better;
 to the glory of your name.   Amen.

A GENERAL PRAYER

O God, the creator and preserver of all,
we pray for people of all sorts and conditions.
Make your purpose known in the earth,
your saving power among the nations.

We pray for the well-being
of the catholic Church.
So guide and guard it by your good Spirit,
that all who profess
and call themselves Christians
may be led into the way of truth,
and hold the faith in the unity of the Spirit
and in righteousness of life.

We commend to your generous goodness
all those who are in any way
afflicted or distressed,
in mind, body, or circumstances.
Comfort and relive them
according to their individual needs;
give them patience under their sufferings,
and a happy release out of all their afflictions.

All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Amen.

From:   Common Order (Church of Scotland),
                 Edinburgh 1994, 500-501

A PRAYER FOR OURSELVES

O God, by whose grace seasons change
and the order of time runs its course:
as we gently move from summer into autumn,
guide our thinking, our living and our praying,
that we may discern your will, follow your way,
and receive your blessing, now and at all times;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.   Amen.

THE BLESSING

May God, who is the ground of hope,
fill us with all joy and peace
as we lead the life of faith,
until, by the power of the Holy Spirit,
we overflow with hope.

And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.
Amen.

Sunday 23 August 2020

TRINITY 11
CREATIVE SILENCE

The cautious reopening of churches will not include congregational singing.  For some, this will be a disappointment; for others, a blessing!  Whether or not we have singing voices, the absence of congregational praise will be an unusual, if not an austere experience.  The singing, however, may be replaced with a short musical interlude, or a time for silent reflection.

Silence has always been highly valued.  Thomas Carlyle, that well-known man of letters from Ecclefechan in Dumfriesshire, said that "Silence is as deep as Eternity, speech is as shallow as Time."  Christina Rossetti, herself a gifted hymnwriter, remarked that silence is "more musical than any song", while Thomas Hardy, the English novelist and poet, is on record as saying that
"That man's silence is wonderful to listen to."  Silence has always been highly valued, and God has often communicated with his people in this way.

In 1 Kings 19 we find the prophet Elijah in a depressed state.  Hounded by the prophets of Baal, and facing the faithlessness and the hostility of the Israelites, he informs God that he is a complete failure and asks God to take away his life.  His morale is temporarily boosted by an angel and he sets off again, travelling for forty days and forty nights to Mount Horeb, where he enters a cave for the night.  His depressed state returns, but God chooses to speak to him, and in a most unusual way.  The voice of the Lord comes to Elijah, not in a strong wind, 
or in an earthquake, or in a fire, but in "a faint murmuring sound" - in the stillness and the calm of evening.  In the quietness, the prophet receives renewed hope for the future.

We live in a world of words.  Each day we are bombarded with words, spoken or written, and often transmitted to us in a noisy way.  It is little wonder that Rudyard Kipling said that "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."  This applies to the Church and to worship, as much as it does to anything else, especially in light of a comment once made that of all world religions, Christianity is by far the noisiest!

This pandemic is possibly a ripe opportunity to rediscover the value of "creative silence" in Christian devotion.  Though much of our worship consists of word and action, and with what St. Paul calls "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs," there is surely a place for "creative silence," where the voice of God may come to us, as it came to Elijah, in "a faint murmuring sound" - in stillness, and in quietness.  In 2017 Julia Monnin, a spiritual writer, penned a book with the title The World is Noisy - God Whispers, a series of short reflections from her own spiritual journal.  Her title is an apt one for our day.  The world is noisy, and we forget that God can speak to us in a whisper, as well as in a more dramatic way.

There is an urgent need today to cultivate a much more restful spirit in our lives, and a healthy measure of "creative silence" in worship could well be an adequate
substitute for congregational praise.

Finding God in the silence was the blessing that came to Elijah.  So can it be for all of us!

"Be still, and know that I am God."

Almighty God, whose name is great
and most worthy of all our praise:
help us to be still in your presence,
that we may know ourselves 
to be your chosen people
and you to be our living God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

Lord of our living conscience,
you speak to us in the call of duty,
and in the still, small voice of calm.
In this noisy, tumultuous world,
we confess that we have failed
to listen to that voice,
calling us to love and obedience....
We confess that, distracted by 
so much sound, all around us,
we have been deaf to your word
and deaf to the cries of those in need....
In your mercy, forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
and grant that through creative silence,
we may discern your purpose for us
and find the courage to fulfil it;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE WORLD

O God, in whose world there is so much noise
and so many words: we pray that the silent power
of love may strengthen your Church in every place,
bring healing and peace to the nations, bless our
own country, its people, its institutions, and give
wholeness to the sick, the suffering, the sorrowing,
and to all others in any kind of affliction or need....
   May the silent power of love
   lead us now and at all times
   to a quiet and faithful trust in you;
   through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR INNER PEACE

Set free, O Lord, the souls of your servants
from all restlessness and anxiety.
Give us your peace and power,
and so keep us that,
in all perplexity and distress,
we may abide in you,
upheld by your strength,
and stayed on the rock of your faithfulness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

From:   Common Order (Church of Scotland),
             Edinburgh 1994, 466

THE BLESSING

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all,
now and evermore.   Amen.

Sunday 16 August 2020

TRINITY 10
A THOUGHT FOR VJ DAY

Within the lovely landscape of South Ayrshire are many streams, rivers, waterfalls and lochs, which are prime locations for anglers, birdwatchers and tourists.  One of these is Loch Bradan, not far from Straiton, which is also a reservoir, supplying households in Ayrshire, and more recently in Glasgow.  Water is a lifegiving substance, necessary for our survival, but recent torrential rain has shown its enormous force to cause destruction.

In 1 Chronicles 11:17, we read that David, having been anointed King over Israel, was desperate for water to drink.  'If only I could have a drink of water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem!'  At that time, David was at the cave of Adullam, with an army of Philistines (enemies) encamped in the Valley of Rephaim, and a garrison of them in Bethlehem itself.  To obtain water from enemy-held territory would be no mean achievement.

Three of King David's "mighty men" - warrior chiefs or commanders - broke through the Philistine camp, and drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem.  They brought the water back to David, no doubt certain that they had done their leader a massive favour.  David refused to drink it.  Instead, he poured it out to the Lord,' which, according to some, means he threw it away!

Had we witnessed this scene, we would have condemned King David's action as one of crass ingratitude.  Three "mighty men" had risked life and limb to fetch the water and satisfy his thirst.  With their mission safely accomplished, the King then changed his mind and threw the water away, even if he was apparently aware of the great personal risk required.

At this time, we mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, which effectively brought the Second World War to a close.  With hostilities ceased in Europe, they now came to an end in the Asia-Pacific region, where bitter fighting had continued.  On this 75th anniversary, we rightly remember those who, like King David's "mighty men", risked life and limb to bring us the privileges we enjoy today.  We also rightly remember those who (military and civilian) paid the ultimate price, whose memory we treasure.  

Perhaps we should also ask how well, or how badly, we have handled the peace won for us at great risk and personal cost.

Have we used our privileges properly?  Or, like the ungrateful King, have we thrown them carelessly to the wind?  As 1 Peter 2:16 urges us: "Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God."  In a word: Christian freedom is always conditioned by Christian responsibility.


"Live as people who are free, not using your
freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as
servants of God." - 1 Peter 2:16

Most merciful, and most faithful God,
whose purpose is to fold both earth and heaven
in a single peace:  
we confess with shame and sorrow
that in our hearts we keep alive
the passions and pride
that lead to hatred and to war....
We are not worthy of your love,
nor of the sacrifice made by others on our behalf....
We confess that we have misused the freedom
and the precious privileges won for us,
so often taking these for granted,
forgetting the personal risk involved
and the sacrifice made by so many....
Pardon and deliver us from our sins,
confirm and strengthen us in all goodness,
and make us mindful of our rich inheritance
in holy things, and of everything bought for us
at great price; through him who on the Cross
gave his life for us and for the world,
Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

And now, rejoicing in the communion of the saints,
we remember those whom you have gathered
from the storm of war
into the peace of your presence,
and give you thanks
for those whom we have known,
whose memory we treasure....
May the example of their devotion inspire us,
that we may be taught to live
by those who learned to die.
And at the last, grant that we,
being faithful till death,
may receive with them
the crown of life that never fades;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

From:  Common Order (Church of Scotland),
            Edinburgh  1994, 413-414 and 419 (Adapted)

God, grant to the living, grace;
to the departed, rest;
to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth,
and all people,
peace and concord;
and to us and all his servants
life everlasting.

And the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be with us all.   Amen.

THE STONEHAVEN RAIL TRAGEDY
12 AUGUST 2020

Most loving, and most gracious God,
of whose faithfulness there is no end:
we pray for all those directly affected
by the Stonehaven Rail Tragedy,
and especially for the injured 
and the bereaved, for emergency
and rescue workers, and for those
who now investigate this accident....
Be a refuge and strength to those
who have lost loved ones, and a 
source of healing to those who
have suffered injury; and to all 
others, a light in life's darkness
and a beacon of hope at all times;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

Saturday 15 August 2020

THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF VJ DAY
On the 15th August each year, churches and organisations,
together with institutions and individuals, mark the moment when Japan surrendered to the Allies in 1945, effectively bringing World War Two to an end.  Today is the 75th anniversary of that profoundly significant day in human history, when the conflict in the Asia-Pacific region came to a conclusion, following VE Day (Victory in Europe) on 8th May.  The 15th August 1945 is commemorated in this short act of worship.

THE GREETING AND INTRODUCTION

"God has been our refuge and our strength:
a present help in time of trouble."

"Trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord God
is an everlasting rock."

In quietness we remember and give thanks
for peace in Europe over these last 75 years;
we remember those, military and civilian, who
lost their lives in World War Two; we honour all
those who have lived and died in the service of
mankind; and we pray that we may be worthy of
  their sacrifice each day of our life....

        At the going down of the sun
        and in the morning:
        We will remember them.

THE READINGS:   Micah 4: 1-4
                God's promised time of peace

                Romans 8:31-39
                Nothing can separate us from God's love 
                in Jesus Christ our Lord

                              
THE MEDITATION

"In the struggle against the darkness of cruelty and conflict, in the struggle for reconciliation, nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ.  Firmly held by his love we will overcome all fear, prevail over all discouragement, live our vocation to be still a nation of co-operation and generosity, of reconciliation, of blessing to our world." - Justin Welby (Archbishop of Canterbury)

AN ACT OF COMMITMENT

On this 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two,
let us pledge ourselves anew in the service of God and
our fellow men and women: that we may support those 
working for peace among the nations, and for the good
of the world and its people.

Lord God, our heavenly Father,
on this historic anniversary
we pledge ourselves to serve you
and all mankind
in the cause of justice and peace.
Guide us by your Spirit;
give us wisdom;
give us courage;
give us hope;
and keep us faithful now and always.
And  may the memories of past conflict
make us strive for peace in our time,
and for the gift of life and opportunity
to generations yet unborn.
Amen.
                            
A PRAYER OF REMEMBRANCE

O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those men and women
who have died in active service,
particularly in the Second World War,
whose sacrifice ended this terrible conflict.
As we honour their courage and cherish their memory,
may we put our faith in your future;
for you alone are the source of life and hope,
now and for ever.
Amen.

A PRAYER FOR PEACE

Almighty God,
from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed:
kindle in the hearts of all people the true love of peace;
and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth;
that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

A PRAYER FOR OURSELVES

Teach us, good Lord,
to serve you as you deserve:
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labour and not to ask for any reward
save that of knowing that we do your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

THE BLESSING

God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest;
to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth,
      and all people, peace and concord;
and to us and all his servants, life everlasting;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be upon us, and remain with us always.
Amen.
​

Sunday 9 August 2020

TRINITY 9
WITH ALL OUR MIND

This week our children return to school.  After much discussion, there will be no social distancing for the children, though teachers must maintain a physical distance from those in their classroom.  Education is now seen as a lifelong process, with "every day a day in the classroom", while governments appoint ministers to promote the continuity of learning.

In the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5), Moses commands the Israelites to love the Lord their God with all their heart and soul and strength.  In St. Luke's Gospel (10:27), Jesus adds the word "mind" to those things quoted in the Old Testament text.  The lawyer in the parable of the Good Samaritan, asking Jesus how he might inherit eternal life, is told to love God with heart, soul and strength - and also with his "mind".  Why Jesus added "mind" to the Deuteronomy list is unknown, but what is certain is that we are required to love God with every fibre of our being, the "mind" included.

To love God "with all our mind" means that Christianity is much more than an emotional experience.  It has an emotional aspect to it, and many people find much pleasure and emotional satisfaction in working out their faith.  There is also an intellectual side to Christianity and its expression.  Historians inform us that Christianity captured the ancient world not only because of the zeal of its adherents, but because they could out-argue their critics and opponents.

In the context of today, we need to reflect on our faith carefully and critically, and, like the first Christians, out-argue those who dismiss religion in general, and Christianity in particular, as fantasy and superstition.  In the New Testament, the writer of 1 Peter 3:15 tells the addressees that they must always be ready to make a defence (apologia) of what they believe when challenged to do so.

Christians must be prepared to do this today.  Reason is a God-given gift, and we must apply it to examine our convictions and why we hold them, as well as carefully reflect on the nature of God, the person of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit.  It has been said that the Church is "a great community of learners", and if Christians are to have credibility in this increasingly secular society, we have to scrutinise what we believe - under the Holy Spirit's guidance - and make our case convincingly.  Whereas previous generations "walked by faith, and not by sight", this one "walks by sight, and not by faith".

In their thought-provoking book, We Don't Do God (2012), George and Andrew Carey argue that there is today "a hard-fought conflict between a secular spirit and the Christian faith", which requires Christians to counter this by thoughtful reflection on what they believe, and apply it at a time when historic Christianity is waning.

In an age where education matters, let us learn to love God "with all our mind", and so give a reasoned defence of our faith when challenged.  Otherwise, if we were arrested for being a Christian, would there be sufficient evidence to convict us?

Jesus said: "Love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul,
with all your strength, and with all your mind".

Loving God, our heavenly Father,
perfect in holiness, infinite in mercy:
as we acknowledge your majesty
and your grace and favour to us,
we confess that we have not loved you
with all our heart and soul and mind
and strength; for we have shut our minds
to  your truth, and ignored the promptings
of your Holy Spirit in us.  Therefore, forgive
us these and all our sins; and help us by
your Spirit to love you with all our mind,
to defend the convictions we hold and the
faith we profess, and in an age of indifference
and unbelief, to proclaim the truth of the gospel;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR EDUCATION AND LEARNING

God of truth and love, the only wise God,
you have commanded us to love you
with all our mind.
So bless the work of schools
and colleges and universities,
that in them the truth may never be denied,
betrayed, concealed,
but be honoured, followed and obeyed.
Guide teachers and students in their endeavours
to seek and see the truth.
Grant that learning may flourish among us,
as a means both of enriching our lives
and of drawing us nearer to you
from whom all truth proceeds;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

From: Common Order (Church of Scotland),
           Edinburgh 1994, 482-483 (Adapted)

A PRAYER FOR THOSE IN NEED

Heavenly Father, we pray for all
who are in any way troubled at this time,
and especially for those known to us
who need your blessing today....

We pray, O God, for the people of Beirut,
in the aftermath of the recent explosion:
for the injured, the traumatised, the bereaved,
and for those affected in other ways;
that your healing hand may touch them
and your love embrace and support them;
and that in time a sense of order
may emerge from this tragic chaos;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR OURSELVES

Almighty God, Creator and Lord of all things,
as we continue on our earthly journey,
help us to be creative in our own lives,
and to bring about things worthwhile 
for our own good and for the good of all;
and make us creators of goodness
and learners in the school of life,
now and all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

THE BLESSING
​
May the grace of Christ attend us,
the love of God surround us,
the Holy Spirit keep us,
this day and for ever.   Amen.

"The souls of the righteous are in God's hands".


We regret to intimate the peaceful passing of Mr. Peter Bayston, Maybole Road, Kirkmichael, who lived in a small cottage near the entrance to the village.  Born and brought up in Hertfordshire, Peter had a varied career - including time with the Forestry Commission - before coming to Kirkmichael with his wife Jean, who predeceased
him in 2001.  Essentially a private person, Peter had most recently been a volunteer worker in the village shop, until failing health limited his mobility.  We offer our sincere sympathy to his family and friends.

We also regret to intimate the peaceful passing of Mr. Ian Thom, lately of Roaston Cottage, Kirkmichael - a well-known farmer in our rural communities..  Brought up in Kirkmichael, Ian retired to the small cottage close to where he had lived and worked, where he laid out a charming garden overlooking the Patna road.  Two years ago, in 2018, he and Margaret (Mackie) celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary, and only several weeks ago became residents in Fairknowe House Care Home in Maybole.  Once again, we offer our sincere condolences to Ewan and Helen, and to family members and friends.

Sunday 2 August 2020

TRINITY 8
A SPIRIT OF DISCERNMENT

On television quiz shows the winner usually walks away with a handsome cash prize.  When asked what they might do with the money, the reply is almost invariably a holiday of a lifetime.  At present, with the imposition of quarantine restrictions on holidaymakers returning from Spain, and also the Canary and Balearic Islands, caution is essential for aspiring travellers.  In a word: they need 'a spirit of discernment'.

At the outset of his reign, King Solomon (1 Kings 3:3-15) encountered God in a dream at the chief shrine at Gibeon.  God asked Solomon what he would like, to rule his people wisely and well.  Without hesitation, Solomon asked God for 'a discerning spirit' - for sound judgment - so that he might distinguish good and evil.  God approved and granted Solomon's request, as he had not asked for riches, reputation and the death of his enemies, but something crucial to his role as a successful monarch.

What Solomon asked for was mishpat, a Hebrew word meaning 'discernment' or sound judgment, particularly in relation to listening and understanding.  

Like King Solomon, we need 'a spirit of discernment' today.  We live in an age which has seen a huge explosion in knowledge, and which expands daily at an unprecedented pace.  How much of what we hear is fact: how much is fiction?

We need a discerning spirit to try and sift out information from misinformation, and to make proper judgment accordingly.  Like King Solomon, we need a strong dose of mishpat - a right judgment in all things, whether it be in scientific, moral, ethical, environmental, personal or other matters.  

Scientists worldwide are seeking a vaccine against the virus that has wreaked havoc on our world.  This will require a robust spirit of discerning and understanding, for what they produce must be thoroughly effective, not an inferior medicine spawned from a laboratory to appease public pressure.  

Fundamentally, discernment is the ability to judge well.  Whether it relates to the choices we make, to the people we meet, or to the circumstances we face, discernment is the gift of being able to recognise the consequences of our decision-making.  Discernment is a strong Biblical theme: St. Paul (1 Corinthians 12:8-10) lists it as one of the many gifts given to distinguish true spirits from false ones, while in Hebrews 5:14 there is the need to discern good and evil.  In a world, saturated with information and 'expert' opinion, discernment is indispensable.

In 1947 Peter Marshall, a Scot who became Chaplain to the US Senate, said in one of his daily prayers:  "Give to us clear vision that we might know where to stand and what to stand for - because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything".  This is a plea for discernment.

Indeed, it was John of Damascus (675-749) who said that discernment "is greater than any other virtue; and is the queen and crown of all the virtues".

As with King Solomon, may God grant us 'a spirit of discernment' for the living of these days!

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound
more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be
pure and blameless for the day of Christ."

PHILIPPIANS 1:9-10

Eternal God, most blessed and most holy,
whose everlasting mercy rises new
in the morning of another day:
we confess that in many things
we have failed to show a sense
of discernment, a right judgment
of heart and mind and spirit....
We have thought, spoken and acted
in haste, without regard to you
and without regard to one another....
Through ignorance, through weakness,
through rash and careless judgment
we have wandered from your ways,
bringing suffering and shame on us
  and on those around us....

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
and in the renewal of our lives,
grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the living of these days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THOSE IN NEED

God of grace and comfort,
hear our prayer for those who are unhappy,
who are lonely or neglected,
who are damaged or abused,
or whose life is darkened
by fear or pain or sorrow.
Give us grace to help them when we can.
Give them faith
to look beyond their troubles to you,
their heavenly Father and unfailing friend,
that they may take up the threads of life again
and go on their way with fresh courage
and renewed hope;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

From: Common Order (Church of Scotland)
           Edinburgh 1994, 489

A PRAYER FOR DISCERNMENT

God of goodness, beauty, and truth,
grant us sound judgment
to search out and praise what pleases you best
and to prize what is precious to you.
Give us a devout reverence for all your works,
and make us day by day
more aware of your presence,
till we come to see you face to face in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

From:  Common Order (Church of Scotland),
            Edinburgh 1994, 471

THE BLESSING

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore.   Amen.


"The souls of the righteous are in God's hands".

We regret to intimate the peaceful passing of Mrs. Margaret McRae, Bolestyle Road, Kirkmichael, following some years of indifferent health.  The daughter of a shepherd, Margaret came to Kirkmichael, following her marriage to the late Billy Blane in 1969.  In 2015 she married Colin McRae, making local history by having the service in Kirkmichael's McCosh Hall.  Margaret was the school dinner lady for a time at Kirkmichael, and is fondly remembered by all who knew her there, and by her
many friends in the wider community.  We offer our deepest
sympathy to Lynn and Audrey, and to Colin and Gordon,
assuring them of our kind thoughts and prayers.

Sunday 26 July 2020

TRINITY 7
THE GIVING OF HOSPITALITY

"God in such love for us lent us this planet,
gave it a purpose in time and in space:
small as a spark from the fire of creation,
cradle of life and the home of our race".

These words, the first verse of Frederick Pratt Green's
hymn, reminds us of 'the hospitable God' who lent us this planet as our home, and the scenic photographs show how creation points to a God who provides such generous hospitality for his people.

The summer months are often 'the wedding season'.  This year, marriage services are victims of the virus, and have been rescheduled or postponed.  A marriage service is still a significant event in a community, usually followed by a lavish reception or simple celebration.

In St. John's Gospel (2:1-11), we find Jesus at a marriage feast in Cana of Galilee, a village near Nazareth.  The disciples are also present, and his mother Mary is in the company.  The proceedings seem to be running smoothly until disaster strikes. The wine runs out!  For this to happen in Jesus's day was no mere misfortune, but a crisis of major proportions.  This is not because the people were wine addicts (drunkenness was a disgrace), but because wine signified social acceptance and genuine hospitality.

In the culture of that time, the provision of hospitality was a sacred duty.  The ancient Greeks and Romans were bound by the Sacred Law of Hospitality to offer bread, water, lodging and protection to any traveller who came to their door.  The stranger was recognised not as a nuisance but as a welcome guest, and was permitted to stay as long as they liked.  Indeed,
the Greeks saw the stranger as sent by God, the host rejoicing that "Heaven had sent him guests".

For the wine to run out at a wedding reception would be a humiliation for the host, and for the bride and bridegroom, and a gross embarrassment for the guests.  Jesus was summoned to render assistance, and he rescued the function by turning water into wine in a massive quantity!

Hospitality is a constant and consistent theme in the Bible.  In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to remember that they once lived in oppression in exile in Egypt, and that this experience must motivate them to provide hospitality to foreigners, and to welcome the stranger as a fellow human being.

In the New Testament (St. Matthew 24:34-46), Jesus laid down the general principle to love one another sacrificially, as serving one another is akin to serving him.  In 1 Peter 4:9, Christians are urged to "be hospitable to one another without grumbling", which further implies that from a Christian perspective, the giving of hospitality ought to be a blessing rather than a burden.

Few today would regard the provision of hospitality as a sacred duty in the way that the ancients understood it.  Yet Christ calls us to create communities of radical grace and extravagant welcome.  As Christians in the 21st century, let us remember that the giving of hospitality has a sacred dimension, and that we should welcome the stranger with kindness and generosity, treating them as a friend. 

As Hebrews 13:2 puts it:  "Do not neglect to show hospitality; by doing this, some have entertained angels unawares".

By giving hospitality, we are in fact ministers of God's benevolence - in essence, we reveal (or deny) His hospitality to those who seek it.  How do we offer hospitality?  Graciously or grudgingly?  Is it a blessing or a burden?  As the hospitality sector struggles to recover, this surely merits our consideration!

"Do not neglect to show hospitality;
by doing this, some have entertained
angels unawares." 

Holy God, righteous and merciful,
faithful and unchanging in every age:
as we acknowledge your majesty,
and quietly seek your presence among us,
we confess that we often withhold hospitality
from those who need our provision.
We acknowledge the selfishness
that fails to see another's needs;
the stubbornness that refuses help
when needed and sought from us;
and the suspicion that causes us
to fear the stranger, and to exclude
them from our generosity and welcome....
God of grace, have mercy upon us;
God of wisdom, enlighten our minds;
God of light, shine into our hearts;
God of love, be our forgiveness;
that in the giving of our hospitality
we may grant to others your benevolence,
and show your love for all people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THOSE IN NEED
OF HOSPITALITY AND KINDNESS

Almighty God and Father of all,
in whose world we live and move
and have our being: we remember 
with true compassion all those excluded
from human hospitality: the homeless, the
refugee, the poverty-stricken, the elderly
and housebound, the lonely, and others
for whom this day brings social isolation.
We pray for those who are unable to enjoy 
company, who seek human kindness and 
the gift of friendship and embrace; and we
pray for others who are isolated at this time
of pandemic, through suffering and illness....
In your infinite mercy, pour out your Spirit
of healing on every heart seeking hospitality
and kindness, and be to each a strong
consolation, and an ever-present help;
and at last grant them fullness of joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED

Almighty God, whose love has called your
people to shine as lights in a darkened world:
we pray for those who are persecuted and 
and imprisoned for the gospel's sake, and
to whom human hospitality is denied, that 
in every moment of their day, you may uphold
their faith, and give them patience and courage
in their Christian witness,so that their unshaken
commitment may lead them to glory, and to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR OURSELVES

O God, in whose sight we live and labour,
and in whose hearing we speak and pray:
as we give thanks for the blessings
of hospitality, kindness and acceptance,
sanctify us in body, mind, and spirit,
that we may live according to your will,
and show your benevolence to all people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.   Amen.

Sunday 19 July 2020

TRINITY 6
TOURISTS OR PILGRIMS?

In Scotland, hotels are now permitted to reopen, and accommodate aspiring guests.  Indeed, in this summer season, our country should have been a welcome venue for tourists, with sightseers out in force, and our popular tourist attractions overflowing with visitors from all 
parts of the world.  

Many tourist attractions were created for that purpose only - to attract tourists.  For instance, Blackpool Tower, EuroDisney, Alton Towers and Windsor Safari Park were all created with that intention. Tourism is the only reason for their existence.

There are places people will visit, which do not owe their origin to a burgeoning tourist industry.  We think, for example, of the great Border Abbeys: Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jeburgh.  Nearer to home is the roofless ruin of Crossraguel Abbey, now a tourist landmark for those who wish to stop and survey the architectural merit of a previous age.  These were built, however, not as tourist attractions, but as places of Christian pilgrimage, telling us 'How great is God!' or 'How great thou art!'

The original designers and builders had no other motive than to express the glory of God through the beauty of these places of pilgrimage. Over the centuries, such monuments to Christian faith have evolved into tourist 
venues, but if we enter a great cathedral or small country church with a true understanding of its primary purpose, we soon see the building in its proper context as a place of Christian pilgrimage.

There are people who pass through life as a tourist.  They move quickly from one place to another: they seldom put down roots, and have little or no sense of the eternal.  Their life is a state of perpetual motion, and like the tourist, their attention is limited to the short-term and to the transient.  They see no spiritual dimension to life and its experiences.

There are also people who pass through life as a pilgrim.  They see a divine hand and purpose in everything.  They agree with Psalm 24:1 that the earth belongs to the Lord and all that is in it, and with Psalm 19:1 that the heavens declare the glory of God, while the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  They have a deep understanding, and love for the sacred, and see their life as God-blessed and God-directed.

In 1877 the English poet, Jesuit priest and teacher, Gerard Manley Hopkins, wrote a sonnet called God's Grandeur.  The first lines affirm his conviction that 'The world is charged with the grandeur of God', and those who pass through life as a pilgrim, and not a tourist, will appreciate the world and everything in it in this way.

Indeed, the only hymn John Bunyan is credited with writing, recalling the words of Hebrews 11:13, declares that the Christian's 'first avowed intent' is to be a pilgrim, and that they ought to 'labour night and day' to attain this stature.

How would we describe ourselves?  Are we tourists, flitting through life from pillar to post?  Or are we pilgrims, who see God's glory in every person and in every place?  Tourists or pilgrims?  A relevant question for our day!

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it;
the world, and all who live in it."

Father eternal, giver of light and grace,
as we acknowledge your sovereign grace,
we confess that we often pass through life
like a tourist, rather than a pilgrim: that we
occupy our minds with trivial and transient
things: that we are prone to live for the moment,
rather than consider the longer term: and that
we move quickly from place to place, and from
project to project, unaware of your presence.
Most of all, we have taken the short route in
life, rather than the pilgrim's path to heaven....
Pardon and deliver us from our sins;
and give us a new and profound understanding
of the sacred, the numinous and the eternal,
that we may pass all our earthly days
as pilgrims on the way to your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR PILGRIMS

We pray, O God, for all pilgrims and seekers
who today journey on the way of holiness.
Give them grace to tread it courageously,
and to serve all in need along the way;
and may they inspire each of us
to bear a good witness to Christ Jesus,
raising us to new heights of holiness
where you are seen in your glory
and known in your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR TOURISTS

Gracious God, you have given us time for work
and time for rest and leisure and pleasure.
We pray for those who at this time of pandemic
are now seeking relaxation and refreshment,
and planning to travel in the coming days.
Protect them along the way from harm;
may they reach their destination safely
and return among us healthily and in peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A PRAYER FOR OURSELVES

Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose grace we come to this new day:
help us to live, not as tourists,
but as those who are called to be your children,
and to make our first avowed intent
to be a pilgrim, now and all our days,
seeking first your kingdom,
and praying and working for its coming;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A GENERAL PRAYER

God of grace, and God of glory,
whose Spirit guides us in our devotions:
hear us as we pray for the Church,
the world, and the nation at this time;
for the community, and for those we love,
especially for any in need or affliction....
Bless, preserve and keep them in your care;
and as we remember and give thanks
for those gone before us to be with you,
keep us in unbroken fellowship
with your Church in heaven and on earth,
and bring us at last to glory everlasting;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible,
the only God,
be honour and glory for ever and ever!   Amen.

Sunday 12 July 2020

TRINITY 5
CHRIST IN THE STORM

In the Christian Year, this Sunday is Trinity 5. It has also been designated Sea Sunday, when we commemorate those who go out to the sea in ships, for whose sacrifice and devotion to duty we give thanks.  Our message rightly has a nautical theme.

A fact of life today is that we often put faith in self, rather than faith in Jesus Christ.  When 'adverse winds' arise, or we face 'stormy waters', we are only too ready to trust our own judgment to navigate our way through them.  As Edward Norman, the historian/theologian has said, 'Humanity is now sovereign', and human beings believe that they are masters of their own destiny.  When we face life's howling gales, no call for divine action is necessary, as we are quite capable of handling the 
situation ourselves.

That was the mistake the disciples' made.  They put too much faith in self, and far too little in Jesus Christ.  When the storm arose on the Sea of Galilee, they started to panic, fearing they would lose their lives in one of the fierce and sudden squalls for which this stretch of water was notorious.  The situation was worsened by Jesus sleeping in the boat, when, in their minds, he ought to have been doing something about it.

Jesus rebuked their lack of faith.  "Why are you such cowards?", he asked.  "What little faith you have!"  The point of the story is perfectly clear.  In their hour of greatest need, when the disciples feared their very lives were in peril, Jesus came to them.  When the wind was contrary, and all seemed lost, Jesus was there to help, even if those around him had shown such lack of trust.

In recent months, we have faced a storm: 'adverse winds' of enormous and unsurpassed proportions.  In a short time, the course of our life has changed, and changed for ever.  For many, there have been times when, like those disciples, they have felt overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control.  Never in our lifetime have we experienced such upheaval, which will leave a long-lasting medical, psychological, social and economic legacy. 

Throughout it all, in spite of our frequent lack of faith, we have not struggled alone.  Across the tempest, the same Jesus Christ has come, with his hand outstretched to save.  Not only that, this same Jesus comes again and again, with his strong, clear voice - bidding us to take heart, to have no fear, and to put our trust in him, and not in self.  A virus victim recently spoke on Songs of Praise about feeling the waves of Christ's peace gently ripple over them in their time of greatest need, giving them that peace and calm the world cannot give.

In an age that puts so much trust in self, let us remember that in those 'storms' and 'adverse winds' beyond our control, "we have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll."  That anchor is Jesus Christ!  

"Those who go down to the sea in ships,
who do business on great waters,
they see the works of the Lord,
and his wonders in the deep."

Holy God, faithful and unchanging,
our refuge, our rock, our everlasting hope:
as we celebrate Sea Sunday today,
we confess that in the storms of life
we are prone to losing faith in you;
that in adverse winds we often drift,
not knowing what to do, or to whom we turn.
We confess that when we have been safe
and felt all things quiet around and about us,
we have forgotten you, and failed to listen
to your still, small voice of peace and calm....

Gracious God, rich in mercy,
grant us your forgiveness,
and bring us safely to shore
in the strength of your undying love.
And as we pass each moment of our day,
be our defence in every time of trouble,
and, in the richer, fuller life to come,
welcome us into that quiet haven
of our heart's desire, which is your
eternal kingdom; through him who is
the sure and steadfast Anchor of our lives,
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.   Amen.

Almighty God, on this Sea Sunday,
we pray for those whose lives
are affected by the sea....

We commend to your loving care
all those who sail the seas,
whether by daylight or darkness,
remembering any known to us
and loved by us, presently out
in the waters of the world....

We pray for those who serve
in the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy;
for the lifeboat service, and for air-sea rescue;
for coast guards and for lifeguards;
for all who work in docks and harbours;
and for our fishermen, who gather in the
harvest of the sea, at great personal risk....

Guard them in danger;
sustain them in loneliness;
uplift them in weariness;
support them in sickness;
and enfold them all in the net
of your everlasting love....

We pray for those in the shipping industry,
for those who build, own and manage ships.
Give them the will to care for those
who go out to sea, and grant in all who work
at sea, the blessing of safe vessels, and a
fair and just reward for their labour....

We pray for those who minister
to the physical and spiritual needs
of those who work at sea, especially
for medical staff and support workers,
for chaplains, and for those engaged 
with the Sailors' Society and The Mission
to Seafarers, that you may guard and guide
them in their duties, and give them the vision
to see in those they serve, the likeness of
your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ....

We ask these prayers through Jesus Christ,
Lord of the seas, and Pilot of our souls;
to whom with you, Father, and the Holy Spirit,
be glory and praise, now and for ever.   Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God,
our refuge and strength in every time of 
need or trouble, and our companion on
the voyage of life, ever faithful, ever sure:
grant that in every circumstance we face,
whether calm and peaceful, or whether rough,
we may put our faith, our trust in you alone;
for you are the protector of all who trust in you,
both in this life, and in the world to come;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.   
Amen.

​
"The souls of the righteous are in God's hands".

We respectfully make reference to the peaceful passing of
Mr. Hugh (Hughie) Simpson, formerly of Straiton and Kirkmichael, at Fairknowe House Care Home in Maybole, where he had been resident in recent years.  Hughie was a well-known and much-loved figure in our communities, and his engaging personality, his lively sense of fun and humour, and his many other fine qualities, endeared him to all who knew him.  Hughie lived and worked on Blairquhan estate and also assisted in the Black Bull Hotel, moving to his flat in Kirkmichael in later years.  We offer our sincere condolences to Hugh and Flora, assuring them that their father will always be fondly remembered.

Sunday 5 July 2020

TRINITY 4
ONE DAY AT A TIME

At this moment, many people are in the grip of nervousness and anxiety. Our young people are anxious as to what qualifications they might obtain, while others are concerned about their future employment prospects.  Others are worried about their businesses, their finances, and other ways in which this pandemic has impacted on them.  Some fear a second wave of infections, while many wonder what the 'landscape of life' will be like when all restrictions are relaxed.

In St. Matthew's Gospel (6: 25-34), Jesus bids us to 'Take no thought for the morrow', or, as another translation puts it:  

     "Do not be anxious about tomorrow;
       tomorrow will take care of itself."

We must not assume that Jesus is in any way advocating a
thoughtless, careless, reckless attitude to life, where the future is of little or no importance.  Jesus is telling us how to treat that innate nervousness, anxiety, fear and needless worry that may ruin our living in the present.  This is not an invitation to disregard the future, but a call to live in such a way that we are not overwhelmed in the present by unnecessary worry.  In short:  Jesus beckons us to live one day at a time.

God has given us life.  If God has given us life, we can trust him to sustain us throughout its course.  Just as God looks after the birds and flowers, so he will look after us in such a way that worry will not "add a cubit" to our earthly days.  In the unfailing providence of God, nervousness, worry and anxiety are pointless, and betray a trust in him who is our refuge, our rock and our everlasting hope.

We need to learn or re-learn the art of living one day at a time!

This is difficult to acquire, for we live in an age of constant pressure to make plans for the future, and pursue them with every fibre of our being.  In many and various subtle ways, we are forced to look ahead and order our lives in a way that often goes beyond the sensible and the responsible, and without regard as to whether our goals and intentions can be fulfilled.  There is so much pressure to organise for the future, that our wellbeing is often adversely affected in the present.

If we could live each day as it comes, our physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing would be so much better.  It is repeatedly Jesus's advice that we should be able to take the demands of each day as it comes - without being "cumbered with a load of care" as to what the future may bring.

   "One day at a time sweet Jesus
    That's all I'm askin' of you.
    Just give me the strength 
    To do every day what I have to do."

These words are from a popular country and western-style Christian song, written in 1974, and recorded by more than two hundred artists.  Its message is simple but sincere.  Take one day at a time, and leave the future to God's unfailing providence.

Let us put these words to good and lasting effect in our own lives.  Let us cast off the mantle of nervousness, anxiety and fear that threatens our appreciation of the present, and by focusing on today, nourish our body, mind and spirit in a healthy way - even in a pandemic!

"Do not be anxious about tomorrow:
tomorrow will take care of itself."

Most gracious God,
in whom we live and move and have our being:
we acknowledge our failure to take one day at a time,
and our preoccupation with future plans
which may or may not come to pass....
We acknowledge our share in the pressure of our day
to look to the future, with little or no regard
for the circumstances of the present....
We acknowledge that we live
as if all time belonged to us,
without trusting fully in your providential care;
for our times are in your hand alone....
In your goodness and mercy, forgive us;
and help us to live as you would have us live,
sensibly, responsibly and one day at a time;
for Jesus Christ our Lord's sake.   Amen.

Almighty God, our sovereign Lord,
present to your people here and everywhere:

Remember, O Lord, in your goodness and mercy
your holy Church, here and throughout the world,
that you may grant to your Church today
the faith of her apostles, the hope of her martyrs,
and the love of her Lord, in whose name we pray....

Remember, O Lord, in your goodness and mercy
the nations of the world, and our own nation,
that they may learn those things that make for peace,
so that your kingdom of love may increase among us.....

Remember, O Lord, in your goodness and mercy
our young people at this anxious time for them,
that we may give them the love and support they need,
and as they face an uncertain future and all it holds
assure them that their times are in your hands....

Remember, O Lord, in your goodness and mercy,
those who are sick, those who suffer pain or loneliness
or grief of heart, those for whom this pandemic has brought unimaginable sorrow, and those whom we name before you....
Comfort them with your presence,
sustain them by your power,
grant them your peace....

All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord,
our great High priest, crucified and glorified,
who lives to make intercession for us,
now and for evermore.   Amen.

A Prayer for the Week

Eternal Light, shine into our hearts;
eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil;
eternal Power, be our support;
eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance;
eternal Pity, have mercy on us;
that with all our heart, and mind and strength
we may seek your face
and be brought by your infinite mercy
to your holy presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

A prayer by Alcuin of York from David Silk,
Prayers for use at Alternative Services (Revised
Edition), London 1986, 39

Grace, mercy, and peace,
from God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.
Amen.

Sunday 28 June 2020

TRINITY 3
TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED
​
Tales of the Unexpected was a series of stand-alone dramas
drawn from the short stories of Roald Dahl, and broadcast on British television from 1979-1988.  Each episode told a particular story, often with an unexpected twist ending.

The story in Ecclesiastes 9:14-16 is a tale of the unexpected.  We are told that a small town or city was under the threat of siege from a powerful king and its destruction imminent. From among the citizens, there came a poor wise man; and this man, by his wisdom, delivered
the city from destruction.  What we have here is someone who, by their 'savvy', perhaps through some shrewd advice, saved the town or city from its enemies, only to be forgotten by an ungrateful people.

What a tale of the unexpected!  The small town or city did not owe its survival to a political figure, a military strategist, or an expert in logistics.  It owed its rescue to a poor little wise man: a man of little consequence in the eyes of the civic and military authorities. The most unlikely person came at the most unlikely moment to save the town!  He is someone about whom we might snobbishly have asked, 'Who does he think he is?'  Here is a classic tale of the unexpected.  

Great achievements have often come from the least likely of people at the most unlikely of moments.  John Logie Baird, son of the minister of St. Bride's Church, Helensburgh, waded through waves of ill-health to share in the invention of mechanical television. Louisa Jordan, a young nurse from Maryhill, Glasgow, served as a medic in WW1 and succumbed to typhus in 1915 aged 36, her name being given to the temporary hospital located in the SEC Centre in Glasgow for pandemic purposes.  She is still
hailed a hero in Serbia for her medical care, while her humble Glasgow origins have recently and rightly been recognised.  

Today, researchers worldwide are collaborating in the search for a vaccine for COVID-19, a process accelerated by the urgency the situation demands.  We trust that their efforts will be crowned with lasting success.  This could be yet another tale of the unexpected - for the vaccine may be found, not by a Nobel Laureate or leading scientist, but by the most unlikely person in the most unlikely place.  The 'non-expert', by their wisdom, may become the 'true expert'. 

In an age of experts, where every subject has its 'professionals', this is something to note.  The 'expert' is not necessarily the one who is most likely to solve a problem or proffer the best advice.  The least likely has often trumped the wisdom of the wise!

This should not surprise us.  The salvation of the world was wrought by Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph, a carpenter, and Mary, a young country woman.  On the Cross, the least likely of people reconciled the human race to God, and paved the way to eternal life.  All this from a carpenter or craftsman's son!  An incredible tale of the unexpected!

Never decry a tale of the unexpected.  History is replete with them.  The world was redeemed by one. We should always expect them!

"There is nothing love cannot face: there is 
no limit to its faith, its hope, its endurance."

Almighty and merciful God,
you are more ready to hear than we to pray,
and you give more 
than either we desire or deserve.
Pour down upon us
the abundance of your mercy.
Forgive us those things
of which our conscience is afraid,
and give us those good things
which we are not worthy to ask,
save through the merits and mediation
of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.   Amen.

From:   Common Order (Church of Scotland),
             Edinburgh 1994, 459-460

God of faithfulness and love:
we pray for the life of the world,
that love may fill the hearts of all people
and be the inspiration of our leaders....

God of faithfulness and love:
we pray for the life of your Church,
that love may always abide within her walls,
direct her worship, and strengthen her witness....

God of faithfulness and love:
at the close of another school year,
we pray for our schools and colleges,
for students, pupils and school leavers,
that they may use their learning
for the good of mankind
and for your greater glory.... 

God of faithfulness and love:
we pray for those in need of love today,
remembering especially any known to us,
that they may always put their trust in you,
seek you, find you, and abide in you....

God of faithfulness and love:
we remember with love and thanksgiving
those gone before us in the faith;
and we pray that you will bring us at last
to everlasting life and love in your presence....

God of faithfulness and love:
accept the prayers we offer,
with the silent prayers of our hearts,
in the name of your dear Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.   Amen.

Almighty God,
you have taught us through your Son
that love fulfils the law.
Grant us grace to love you
with all our heart, with all our soul,
with all our mind, all our strength,
and to love our neighbour as ourselves;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever.   Amen.

From:   Common Order (Church of Scotland),
             Edinburgh 1994, 677

God the Holy Trinity make us strong
in faith, and hope, and love;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.
Amen.

"The souls of the righteous are in God's hands".

We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Miss Christine Drummond, Glastron Farm, near Kirkmichael, who passed away peacefully last Saturday. Christine was well-known in this district, particularly through her involvement with the 'Rural' at local and regional levels, and also with Dalrymple Show, of which she was a past President.  Always clever-handed, Christine excelled in various handicrafts and was qualified to judge at shows.  A quiet, retiring lady, Christine will be much missed by all who knew her.

Sunday 21 June 2020

TRINITY 2
IN PURSUIT OF A GOAL
It is said that the happiest days of our life are those we spend at school.  The lockdown has certainly created a new kind of 'schooling', and some of those at our primary schools will now move on to secondary education without having been back in their original building!  Others will be finishing school and facing a strange and uncertain world.

Those completing their education will have their goals in life, the ambitions they want to achieve.  This applies to each of us - it has been said that "if you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time."

In Philippians 3: 10-21, St. Paul speaks of his goal, his own lifelong ambition.  There, he tells us that forgetting what is behind, and reaching out to what lies ahead, I press towards the finishing line, to win the heavenly prize to which God has called me in Christ Jesus."  To grasp the goal for which God in Christ has grasped him, the apostle must "press on" regardless until he has attained it.  He must never rest on his laurels, lest he becomes complacent or lose sight of his objective.

To have a goal, an ambition, a sense of purpose in life is nothing less than responsible Christian living.  If we fail to have our goals, "we crawl on the floor while we have wings to fly."  In a word: we waste both our time
and our talents.  In the Christian life, we are not meant to rest on our laurels, but to "press on" with what God has called us to do in Christ Jesus.

J.S. Bach gave much to sacred music.  He was a prolific composer, but was never one to rest on his laurels and bask in the glory of past achievements.  Bach devoted his life in passionate pursuit of the goal he believed God had prescribed for him in Jesus Christ.  By doing what St. Paul did, what Bach and what countless others have done, this world has been reshaped for the better.

The hard part may not be identifying the goal or ambition, or even "pressing on" towards its attainment.  The hard part may be getting started.  In the 1700s a French socialite, Madame du Deffand, said: "The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that is difficult."  Dame Vera Lynn, who died on Thursday morning, said that her singing career was possible only through her mother putting her on stage at an early age, giving her the start in life that was necessary.

Making a start.  Is that a problem for us?  Or, like St. Paul, do we "press on" relentlessly, until we reach the goal laid down for us, and come to live eternally 
with God?

"O come, and let us rejoice!
For we are in the presence of the Holy One."

Holy God, faithful and unchanging,
to whom we bow in awesome wonder:
as we celebrate your mystery and majesty,

we confess that in the journey of life
we have followed the wrong goals,
and have been careless or complacent
in pursuing the goals laid down for us
in your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ....
We have often pursued these goals,
half-heartedly and without due effort,
seeking the comfortable way, rather than
the costly route taken by Jesus Christ....

In your infinite mercy, forgive what we 
have been and done: forgive what we
have not done: forgive what we meant to 
do but never finished; and as we pursue
the goals laid down for us in Christ Jesus,
make us committed to the task, that we may
attain to them with conscientious endeavour,
to the glory of your name.   Amen.

Almighty God, you have taught us
to make prayers and intercessions for all people:
We pray for the clergy, and for all who guide the
thoughts of the people: for artists, authors, musicians,
and journalists; that our common life may be crowned
with truth and beauty;
For all who heal the body, guard the health of the nation,
and tend the sick: that they may follow the footsteps of
Christ, the great physician;
For all on whose labour we depend for the necessities
of life; for all who carry on the commerce of the world,
that they may seek no private gain which would hinder
the good of all;
For parents and children, that purity, love, and honour
may dwell in our homes, and duty and affection may be
the bond of our family life;
For all who draw near to death, that they may know your
presence with them through the valley of the shadow and 
may wake to the vision of your glory; through Jesus Christ
our Lord.   Amen.

A prayer by John Hunter (adapted) from David Silk,
Prayers for use at the Alternative Services (Revised
Edition), London 1986, 111-112

God the Holy Trinity
make us strong in faith and love,
defend us on every side,
and guide us in truth and peace;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.  
Amen.

Sunday 14 June 2020

TRINITY 1:  BROKEN WALLS
During the week, a television reporter said that when we
emerge from lockdown, there will be much rebuilding to be done in the aftermath of the pandemic.

When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he saw before him a scene of devastation.  Due to their unfaithfulness to God, King Nebuchadnezzr's army destroyed the city, taking its citizens into exile.  The massive city walls lay in ruins.

Nehemiah was charged by God with the rebuilding project.  In Nehemiah 2:11-20, the Jewish leader went out at night to survey the damage for himself.  It was nothing less than a disaster, and a major undertaking would be needed.  Nehemiah quickly put a plan together, before making his intentions public in stirring tones: "Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and suffer derision no more!"  He soon gathered stone masons and other craftsmen, and set about this awesome task, completed, we are told, in a mere fifty-two days, restoring the city's civic pride.  

We live in a world of "broken walls".  There are broken lives all around us - people with little or no hope for the future.  There are broken churches, once vibrant, but from which "the glory has departed".  In business, in
government, in education and in the public services, "brokenness" is rife - a fundamental disordering that requires attention.  The whole world is a "broken" one, with broken families, broken relationships, broken trust and broken hearts; and a high level of "brokenness" is
predicted when this pandemic subsides.

As Christians, we are charged to undertake the remedial work.  The question is: where do we start?  We start where Nehemiah started.  Nehemiah was astute, perceptive, energetic and enthusiastic.  Above all, he was a man of prayer.  Nehemiah started this rebuilding project with prayer: through prayer he came to the conviction that his efforts were God-inspired and God-blessed.  "Strengthen me for the work, was my prayer", he said.

Human skill and human wisdom alone will not mend our broken world.  We need the practice and the power of prayer, believing with Alfred, Lord Tennyson, that "more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of".
Prayer is a powerhouse for good.  This was Nehemiah's starting-point.  That must be ours. 

It is through prayer that we tap into the divine energy that drives the healing process that our "broken" world so urgently needs.  As with Nehemiah, let our prayer be: "Strengthen me for the work".

"Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near."

Almighty God, high and exalted above all,
worthy of praise from every mouth
and of confession from every creature:
as we come to share in devotion,
may we find our life's true purpose
in doing your will, and in joining the
whole creation in adoring your name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

Most merciful God,
as the new day dawns, your gift to us,
we acknowledge the brokenness in our lives
and all that hinders our communion with you.
We acknowledge our share in the world's pain
and in its problems, and in the brokenness we see
everywhere around us: the broken families,
the broken relationships, the broken laws, 
the broken trust, the broken hearts....
Therefore, in your infinite mercy,
forgive what we have been and done,
gently correct what we are, 
and bless what we shall be;
and through the power of prayer,

help us to mend our broken world
and our broken lives, that all may
find healing and wholeness,
to the glory of your name.   Amen.

Almighty God, in whom we live and move
  and have our being:

We pray for the broken walls of your Church,
that they may be rebuilt and restored in the
power of your love, and strengthen your mission
to mankind and to the world....

We pray for the broken walls of our world,
that ancient feuds may be forgiven and forgotten,
and barriers of race, colour, class and creed
overcome in the power of your love....

We pray for the broken walls of our nation,
that healing may come where there is anger,
bitterness, strife and hate; and that our nation
may unite in the power of your love....

We pray for the broken walls of human lives,
that forgiveness and grace may heal and
make whole; and that lives which are scarred
may be restored in the power of your love....

All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord,
broken for us on the Cross,
and raised for us in glory.   Amen.

God the Holy Trinity
make us strong in faith and love,
defend us on every side,
and guide us in truth and peace;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.
Amen.​

The ruins of Lindisfarne Priory, an important centre of Celtic Christianity, where Saint Cuthbert was a monk and Abbot of the monastery.

Etal Castle, Cornhill-on-Tweed

Sunrise at Approach Loch, Blairquhan

Sunday 7 June 2020

TRINITY SUNDAY
This is Trinity Sunday.  Today, the Christian Church acknowledges God as Father, as Son, and as Holy Spirit.  We are not thinking about three different 'gods', but only one God who, as Hugh Montefiore says, 'reveals himself to us in three modes' - as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The word 'Trinity' is not found in Scripture.  The Trinity is said to be implicit in certain Old Testament texts, and explicit in New Testament passages, such as the blessing in 2 Corinthians 13:14:  "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."  In the 4th century, the Trinity, as a way of understanding God, was absorbed into official Christianity; and today we speak of the one God, who is (at the same time) Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Trinity is the foundation of much Christian worship.  Many well-known hymns have a reference to the Trinity, while prayers often conclude with a Trinitarian doxology.  Christian baptism is administered "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"; blessings and benedictions follow a Trinitarian formula.  When couples are joined together in marriage in Church, they are pronounced husband and wife - "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". Christian worship is inherently Trinitarian, founded on the doctrine that there is one God, who expresses himself in a threefold way.

According to one observer, the Trinity suggests that "a committee of three is out to save the world".  This is a humorous, and possibly a helpful thought!

At a more profound level, the Trinity means that, in this world, we can never have a complete and perfect understanding of God: his nature, his character, his personality.  If we could (as many would wish), then God would no longer be God.  He would be a mere creature, shorn of his cosmic stature.  The Trinity preserves the 'mystery' that is God.  Our finite minds cannot grasp him in total.  God is impossible to define in depth and detail.  He remains a 'mystery' - and the Trinity preserves this 'mystery'.  It is a good 'model' of how God works, but not a complete picture.

Last week saw the 80th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, the massive evacuation of allied forces from Dunkirk in 1940.  Much has been said about the wartime Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, and his part in that project.  One of his biographers says that it is almost impossible to write a book about Churchill.  He is so complex a character: a man of different tastes and moods; a man of various convictions and opinions; a man with so many sides to him, that a complete character picture is not possible.  The best we can get is a partial portrait.

The same can be said of God.  His ways are not our ways.  His thoughts are not our thoughts.  The Trinity allows us to understand God in a particular way - as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  This is not the complete picture we would like. The Trinity preserves the 'mystery' of God, yet allows us to experience him in a threefold way.

That said, I still like Colin Morris's idea of the Trinity "as a committee of three to save the world!"

"Holy, holy, holy is God, our sovereign Lord,
who was, and is, and is to come!"

Lord God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
you alone are worthy to be served in every moment
of our lives, and to receive the loyalty and devotion
of our hearts: we confess the self-centredness that
marks too much of our living: the partial obedience:
the qualified love: the failure to reach full Christian
maturity.   We acknowledge these failings, and much
else; and we seek the grace to be moulded, according 
to the pattern laid out for us, in your Son, our Saviour
  Jesus Christ....

Holy God, grant us your forgiveness,
and help us to accept it freely and with joy....

Give us today a new vision, a new compassion, a new
understanding of the needs of others, and a renewed
dedication to the service of him who has shown us
what life can be, and what life ought to be, 

   Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 
   who is alive and reigns with you,
    in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
   one God, now and for ever.   Amen.

O Trinity of love and power:
fill your church with truth and love,
that she may lead all people
to a knowledge of your salvation,
and be found without fault
on the day of Christ's coming....

O Trinity of love and power:
give your light to all nations and peoples,
that respect and forbearance
may grow among them,
and peace enfold the world....

O Trinity of love and power:
set free our friends and families
and all those whom we love
from anxiety and fear,
that they may live in joy,
in health, and in peace....

O Trinity of love and power:
protect those who are in danger;
care for those who suffer;
be with those who guard our shores,
defend our homes,
and keep the peace.
Make darkness light around them,
and grant them peace....

O Trinity of love and power:
keep us in the light of Christ,
to shine in your world,
that all may believe in you,
and bring us at last to eternal light,
and life, and joy with you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

From:   Common Order (Church of Scotland),
             Edinburgh 1994, 72-74 (Adapted)


God the Holy Trinity make us strong
in faith, and hope, and love.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.   Amen.

Sunday 31 May 2020

THE DAY OF PENTECOST
(In Western Christianity, Pentecost was one of the days set aside for Baptism.  It is believed that the term Whit Sunday derives from the custom of the newly baptised wearing white clothing, and from the white vestments worn by the clergy on such occasions).

In Jewish culture, Pentecost was a great festival. 
The word means 'fiftieth', as it fell on the fiftieth day after the Passover.  Pentecost was an agricultural festival, and Jerusalem was packed with pilgrims from near and far at this celebration.

We can never say for certain exactly what happened at
Pentecost.  The scene described in Acts 2:1-13 is laden
with symbolic images, and suggests that the disciples,
gathered together in one place, experienced God's Spirit
in a way they had never done before, and so profoundly
that onlookers thought they were drunk!

Today, we may encounter God's Spirit in many places.  The Spirit of God, as Jesus warns us in St. John's Gospel, cannot be tied to one particular location.  In a conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus says the Spirit is like the wind - it blows where it wills, and it comes and goes as it pleases.

C.S. Lewis, the British poet, writer and robust defender of Christianity, became an atheist at the age of fifteen.  His conversion to Christianity was most unconventional.  He and his brother Warren set out one day for Whipsnade Zoo, near Dunstable in Bedfordshire.  "When we set out I did not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and when we reached the zoo I did."  On that motorcycle journey, he felt the Spirit's promptings!

Many would say that they have felt 'touched' or 'nudged' by the Holy Spirit in an unusual way, or in an unlikely place.  It is possibly more often during worship that the Spirit makes its presence known most strongly.  Such was the experience of David Livingstone, who, feeling touched by the Spirit in a village church at Blantyre, took the Christian Gospel to the African continent.

It may well be that the disciples had gathered for worship. Whatever their purpose, the Spirit of God is a transforming one.  On the Day of Pentecost, they experienced a power that turned fearful men into fearless messengers of the Gospel.  Let it be our prayer that Pentecost will happen again, and keep on happening, transforming our lives as it did the lives of those disciples, and letting God breathe on us, in us, and through us, now and at all times. 

"Breathe on me, Breath of God,
direct my heart's desire,
till every earthly part of me
glows with your holy fire."

"Through the Holy Spirit he has given us,
God's love has flooded our hearts."

Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful people,
and kindle in us the fire of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Almighty and most merciful Father,
as we mark the Day of Pentecost
we acknowledge how, in various ways,
we have offended your Holy Spirit....
When your Spirit speaks, we do not listen,
afraid of what it might say to us....
When the wind of your Spirit blows,
we close the windows of our hearts,
afraid of where it might lead us....
When the fire of your Spirit touches us,
we quench the flame,
afraid of the new life it might bring
to us, to our Church and to our world....

Create in us a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us,
that healed, restored, renewed and forgiven,
we may carry the love and mercy of Christ
into our Church, our country, our community,
and finally, in to the world beyond;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

(Adapted)

Spirit of God, unseen as the wind:
come again your cleansing power
and purge this world of pandemic and poverty,
of war and waste and want, and set your people
free to flourish in dignity and human worth....

Spirit of God, unseen as the wind:
come again in your tongues of fire
and rekindle the faith of your people,
that your Church, here and in every place,
may grow in goodness and grace,
to the honour of your name....

Spirit of God, unseen as the wind,
come again in your heavenly wisdom
and direct the minds of researchers
and others who, at this time of pandemic,
seek vaccines and medicine, and other
means of containing this disease....

Spirit of God, unseen as the wind:
come again in your healing power
and bind up the wounds of the bereaved
and the broken-hearted, the sick and the
suffering, and all for whom this holy day
brings no joy or radiant hope....

Spirit of God, unseen as the wind:
come again in your strength and might,
and purge our lives of every false spirit
and of all else that offends you....
And when our day is done, lead us gently
into the joy of your eternal presence....

All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

With unflagging zeal, aglow with the Spirit,
serve the Lord.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.
Amen.

"The souls of the righteous are in God's hands".

We regret to intimate the passing of Mr. William (Bill) Brown, formerly of Kirkmichael, on Saturday, 23rd May 2020.  Born and brought up in Wales, Bill worked with Kyle and Carrick District Council until retirement, and was an active member of Kirkmichael Church and Choir since its inception.
In June 2017, Bill moved to Kilbarchan to live with his daughter and son-in-law, where he celebrated his 90th birthday last August.  We offer our sincere condolences to family members and friends.

Sunday 24 May 2020

THE LORD IS KING!
This is the Sunday after Ascension Day.

The Ascension of Jesus Christ is celebrated on Ascension
Day - the Thursday forty days after Easter.  In the Bible, this is described in detail by St. Luke (Acts !:1-11), using vivid and striking images, and marks both the end of Easter and the end of the 'resurrection appearances.'  Indeed, the Ascension signifies our Lord's 'going away' from his disciples, and his return to the glory of the Father.

By virtue of the Ascension, Jesus is now understood to be
seated at the right hand of God.  This image is found in the New Testament: in the writings of St. Paul, and in The Apostles' Creed, where it is said of Jesus that he "sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty."

This is picture-language, thought to come from the custom of eastern kings to have their chief minister - "their right hand man" - standing or sitting at their right side.  Strictly speaking, at a formal dinner today, the guest of honour should be seated to the right of the host.  Take note next time you attend one!

The Ascension is a profound mystery, and not something that words can adequately describe.

One of the lessons of the Ascension is that we now have a precious friend in heaven - in God's very presence - who is our advocate and representative, and who continues to pray with us and for us.  Though Jesus is 'with honour and glory crowned', and occupies heaven's highest place, he has neither forgotten nor abandoned us.  As Professor William Barclay put it:  "He is still mighty and powerful to help, and in his exalted royalty, he has not forgotten his own."

On this Sunday after Ascension Day, let this be a comfort and a blessing.  For though we pass through dark valleys, and know not where we are going, we have a friend in God's presence, our living and glorified Saviour, a great high priest, who continues to uphold his people before the throne of God's grace.  The Lord is King!  Let us hold fast to the faith we profess!

"Since we have a great high priest who has passed
through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us 
hold fast to the faith we profess."


Gracious God, you raised your Son our Saviour Christ
to heaven's highest place, that he might reign supreme
over all things: we confess that we have failed to live as
we ought, under Christ's most just and gentle rule; that 
we have broken his commandments, disobeyed his word,
rejected his truth, ignored his voice, and chosen to follow our own path, rather than the way of life and love revealed
​  to us in Jesus Christ....

For the sake of your dear Son,
eternal God, forgive us and renew us;
and may our lives as well as our lips
proclaim Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords,
every moment of our day, every day of our life;
to the glory of your most holy name.
Amen.


May Christ the King
rule the peoples of the world,
that all may live in harmony and peace....
May Christ the King
rule the hearts of those who lead us,
that they may govern wisely and well....
May Christ the King
rule the Church in its mission to mankind,
turning minds towards the Gospel....
May Christ the King
rule in the lives of those in need,
that they may find wholeness and true gain....
May Christ the King
rule our lives at this time of pandemic,
that we may trust only in him....
This we ask for his name's sake.   Amen.


May Christ the King make us faithful
and strong to do his will,
and bring us to reign with him in glory.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.
Amen.

Thursday 21 May 2020

ASCENSION DAY
In the Christian Year, this is  Ascension Day, described as "the celebration of Christ ascending into heaven after His death, burial and resurrection," and falling on the Thursday forty days after Easter.
This is an important doctrine in the Christian faith, and, in particular, it means that Jesus has left the limits of time and space and passed into the Father's presence, where he now occupies the place of honour.  

As Tim Keller puts it, Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God as "the executive director of history" - our advocate and representative before the throne of the universe.  This is well-illustrated in the window opposite, which is in our chantry chapel, and shows the ascended Christ as sovereign over all things in the created order, continuing to pray with us and for us.

"Christ has entered heaven itself, to
appear now before God on our behalf."

Almighty God,
your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
ascended far above all heavens
that he might fill all things.
Grant that your Church on earth
may be filled with his presence
and that he may remain with us always,
to the end of the world;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.   Amen.

From: Common Order (Church of Scotland),
           Edinburgh 1994, 673

Sunday 17 May 2020

FALSE GODS
Athens is the capital city of modern Greece, and one of the oldest cities in the world.  In classical times Athens was a vibrant centre of culture and learning, widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.

In St. Paul's day, elaborate altars had been erected all over Athens to unknown gods.  Built for various reasons, many of these altars had fallen into disrepair.  One of them, however, had been restored to its former glory.  This did not escape the apostle's notice, and in a sermon (with a hint of sarcasm) he told the Athenians that, while walking round the city, he had noticed an altar dedicated 'To an Unknown God'.  This provided the thrust of a sermon - namely, that God, the Creator, the Lord of heaven and earth, is the only God worthy of worship.  This was a blunt rebuke to those inclined to worship any god of their own manufacture.

Human beings have been described as 'worshipping animals.'  We must find something or someone to be the focus of our ultimate allegiance.  To achieve this, we will even manufacture our own gods and pay homage to
them.  Today, many put their faith in gods of their own making - scientific, cultural, political, technological and so on.  We have the powerful cult of celebrity, where iconic figures are accorded almost semi-divine status,
while we also kneel at the altar of wealth, power, ambition and a host of other contrived 'deities.'  Such gods of human ingenuity or human devilry fail to satisfy or save, and those who put faith in them later regret it.

In 1902 Henry Adams (American writer) visited an exhibition (The Great Exposition) in Paris.  He spent the whole summer there, fascinated by the newly-invented giant dynamo on display.  He said that for him it was like 'a symbol of divinity.'  He even began to sense it had a moral force, and felt drawn towards it, in the way that Christians are drawn to the Cross.  He noted how easy it is for human beings to venerate man-made objects to the point of worship, and how the dynamo was so impressive that he could almost 'pray' to it.

The gods of our own making are ultimately of no use.  They will never give that love which will not let us go, or bestow that peace which passes human understanding.  In the face of adversity, they are redundant, just like those derelict monuments to unknown gods scattered around Athens.

As Eastertide comes to a close, let us forsake idolatry, and abandon the the gods of our own making.  Let us fix our worship on the one true God, the Creator, the Lord of heaven and earth.  For this God is not 'an unknown deity,' but One who made himself known in Jesus Christ, raised from the dead and alive for evermore!

"Make your paths known to me, Lord;
teach me your ways.  Lead me by your
faithfulness and teach me, for you are
God my Saviour."

Gracious God, rich in love and mercy,
before your Church in heaven and on earth,
we confess our sins and shortcomings,
and our many offences against you;
for we have done what is wrong in your sight,
belittling your love, betraying your trust,
disregarding your laws, and worshipping
gods of our own making: gods which are
without your blessing, and can never satisfy
  or save in time of need....
Therefore, have mercy upon us, we pray;
grant us your forgiveness, and restore us
  to the joy and peace of the forgiven....
As we come to the light of this new day,
chase from our hearts all gloomy thoughts,
and make us glad with the brightness of hope,
so that when evening comes, and the day departs,
we may once more give you thanks and praise;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
crucified, risen and alive for evermore.
Amen.

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known, and from whom no secrets 
   are hidden:

Remember, O Lord, your holy Church,
both here and throughout the world,
that by the faith and courage of your people,
your word may be preached, and lived each day
in lives of faithful service....

Remember, O Lord, the Church of Scotland,
at this time of challenge and change, as we pray
for the new Moderator, all ministers, members
and others associated with it: that they may be
led by your Spirit, and inspired by a love for you....

Remember, O Lord, the nations of the world,
that, following the ways of truth and justice,
they may be free from all bitterness and strife,
and by the power of your love, live in peace....

Remember, O Lord, the nation to which we belong.
Bless our Queen, and all who lead and represent us,
especially at this time of national emergency, that they
may faithfully fulfil the duties and demands of their calling
and preserve us as a people in peace and safety....

Remember, O Lord, those who are sick,
those who suffer pain or loneliness or grief,
those who are anxious and afraid, weak and weary,
and all those for whom this present pandemic
has brought untold suffering and sorrow....

We remember in the silence of our hearts
those known to us who need our prayers
and your blessing....

Comfort them with your presence, 
sustain them by your promises,
grant them your peace....

Almighty God, from whose love in Christ
we cannot be parted, by death or by life:
lead us safely through our earthly years;
and when we have fully served you
in our day and generation, bring us
with loved ones gone before us
into the presence of your glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.   
Amen.

Now may the God of peace,
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great shepherd of the sheep,
make us perfect in every good work
to do his will, working in us
that which is well-pleasing in his sight;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.
Amen.
​

These images of Straiton Church remind us that this is a building where the living God is worshipped: a house of prayer to the One who is Creator, and Lord of heaven and earth.

Sunday 10 May 2020

BEING GOD'S PEOPLE
It is sometimes said that 'one man's rubbish is another man's treasure.'  If we watch television programmes like Bargain Hunt or The Antiques Road Show, what looks like an object of little or no value is often worth a small fortune, unbeknown to its owner.

In 1 Peter (2:10), the writer informs his readers that: 'Once you were not a people at all, but now you are God's people.'  Or, as we might say: 'Once you were a nobody, but now you are a somebody.'  Christians may be ordinary people, doing ordinary tasks, and living an ordinary
lifestyle.  By their faith in Jesus Christ, however, they acquire a new significance before God.  No longer are they a mere 'nobody': they are a chosen 'somebody'.

The readers for whom this letter was meant lived under the constant threat of persecution.  This letter was written at a time when it was dangerous to be a Christian, and when the followers of Jesus Christ were subject to 'a campaign of slander and suffering.'  To know that, by their faith in the resurrected Lord, they had acquired a new and unique significance before God, must have been most reassuring.

This is true for us today.  In this country, we are not persecuted in the way in which the recipients of this letter were persecuted.  We are, however, still subject to sarcasm and sneering, to insult and injury, and to ridicule and rejection.  Secularism is now so pervasive that it aims to write God out of existence, and dismiss all religion as fantasy and superstition.  The harrying of Christians in the 1st century continues in the 21st century, but expressed in different ways.

'Once you were not a people at all,
 but now you are God's people.'

These words assure us that however insignificant we may feel - and at times we do feel unimportant and unwanted - God has invested us with a new significance.  We are chosen and precious in his sight: people with a purpose in life, and called to do his work in the world.  Through God's grace in the risen Christ, no Christian man, woman or child can ever be 'ordinary.'  For each of us has a high value that nothing can take away!

As St. Irenaeus said: 'The glory of God is a human being fully alive.'

Almighty and ever-living God,
by the death and resurrection of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ, you have transformed
the poverty of our nature, and bestowed on us
a precious dignity, a new significance in your sight.
Teach us to live each day
in the light of what you have done for us,
and help us put our trust in you always,
for this life, and for the life to come;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

O God, whose love reaches out to us and to all people,
and of whose faithfulness there is no end:
we pray for your Church in every place,
that the risen Christ may bless her
with his presence, his power and his peace....
We pray for the life of the world,
that the risen Christ may bring hope
where there is despair, and love where there is hate....
In this Christian Aid Week 
we pray for a fairer and more just world,
where poverty and hunger are no more,
and where the needs of all people are met....
We pray for our country at this difficult time,
that the risen Christ may bring healing,
health and wholeness to broken lives,
to troubled hearts and wounded spirits....
We pray for ourselves at this time of lockdown,
that the risen Christ may set us free from fear,
to love and serve one another in new ways,
surrounded by his constant love and care....
We ask this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ,
the risen Lord of Easter,
who himself became poor
that we might discover true riches:
to whom be praise and glory, now and evermore.
Amen.

Now may the God of peace,
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great shepherd of the sheep,
make us perfect in every good work
to do his will, working in us
that which is well-pleasing in his sight;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.
Amen.

Our Minister with the retiring Archbishop of York: two ordinary men from different countries, different cultures, different backgrounds, yet through faith in the risen Christ ordained into the service of the Church.

​THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY

This week marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Although the veterans of the Second World War are increasingly few, our modern world was shaped by the outcome of that conflict.  War continued in the Far East for three months, but on May 8th 1945 the nation rightly celebrated the end of a conflict in which so many - military and civilian - suffered and lost their lives.  And so on VE Day we pray and we remember.

"God has been our refuge and our strength:
a present help in time of trouble."

"Not to us, Lord, not to us,
but to your name be the praise and the glory
for your love, for your faithfulness."

In quietness we remember and give thanks
for peace in Europe over the last 75 years....

O God, our dwelling-place in all generations,
our refuge, our rock, and our everlasting hope:
as we remember today those who sacrifices
brought Victory in Europe, we honour their
courage, and we treasure their memory....
As we remember, we pray that former enemies 
may be forgiven, that foes may become friends,
that we may be freed from feelings of hate,
revenge and anger; and that thankful for times
of peace, we may find joy and fulfilment
in the company of one another....
May we put our faith in your future,
that the day may come when none shall hurt
or destroy, and when the wrath of mankind
shall be turned to your praise and glory; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

"In the struggle against the darkness of cruelty and
conflict, in the struggle for reconciliation, nothing can
separate us from the love of Jesus Christ.  Firmly held
by his love we will overcome all fear, prevail over all
discouragement, live our vocation to be still a nation
of co-operation and generosity, of reconciliation, of
blessing to our world."

From a sermon on Romans 8:31-39 by Justin Welby (Archbishop of Canterbury), preached in Westminster Abbey on the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe in 2015.

An Act of Commitment

On this historic anniversary, we pledge ourselves
anew to the service of God and our fellow men and
women: that we may help, encourage and comfort 
others, and support those working for the relief of
human need, for the welfare of the nations, and for
an end to human cruelty in every form and in every
place.

Lord God our Father,
on this historic anniversary,
we pledge ourselves to serve you 
and all mankind,
in the cause of peace,
for the relief of want and suffering,
and for the praise of your name.

Guide us by your Spirit;
give us wisdom; 
give us courage;
give us hope;
and keep us faithful now and always.
Amen.

May almighty God, who has given us
the will to undertake these things,
bless us with the strength to perform them.
Amen.

Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest:
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labour and not to ask for any reward;
except that of knowing that we do Thy will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest;
to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth,
   and all people, peace and concord;
and to us and all his servants, life everlasting;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us, and remain with us always.
Amen.

Sunday 3 May 2020

The fourth Sunday of the Easter season is commonly called Good Shepherd Sunday, taking its name from the Gospel reading for the day (St. John 10: 1-16).

One of the loveliest images in the Bible is the picture of God as a 'shepherd'.  It is estimated that shepherds are mentioned about a hundred times in Scripture, and in Psalm 23, this image finds powerful, poetic and popular  expression.  'The Lord is my shepherd' is arguably the most loved of all the Psalms, with its strong pastoral overtones.

In St. John's Gospel (10: 11), Jesus makes the bold claim that he is the 'good shepherd'.  In the original Greek, this word 'good' (kalos) can mean much more than moral goodness or spiritual authority.  The word can also imply a certain outward attractiveness.  When Jesus claims to be the 'good' shepherd, he is not only efficient and  effectual: he has a certain charm or charisma that compels people to follow him.  This picture of Jesus as the 'good' shepherd is similar to the way in which we would describe a 'good' doctor, dentist or teacher - inwardly competent, but outwardly attractive and inspiring.

If we accept Jesus as the 'good' shepherd, we are his flock - the people of his pasture.  If we are to be 'good' in the sense that Jesus is 'good', there must be a
certain attractiveness, a certain charisma about us.  Indeed, there is no poorer advertisement for the Christian faith than an 'unattractive disciple' - someone
depressing and outwardly uninspiring.

Robert Louis Stevenson, once said, in reference to the village headmaster at Lamington in Lanarkshire, who was also a lay preacher in the local kirk, that his heart was as hard as flint, and his character as cold as a winter's day.  Not a flattering profile of a sheep in the flock of Jesus Christ! 

On the Fourth Sunday of Easter - Good Shepherd Sunday - may God grant us grace to be 'good' sheep: to be outwardly attractive, as well as inwardly competent and sincere, so that we may reflect the very nature of Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd, who laid down his life for his flock, and rose again that they might live eternally with him.

"O come, let us worship and bow down:
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For He is our God; and we are the people
of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand."

O living God, our Saviour and Shepherd,
you alone make us dwell in safety.
We confess that, in the journey of life,
we have gone astray like lost sheep.
We have wandered from your ways.
We have failed to hear your voice.
We have tried to live without you,

bringing shame upon ourselves
and dishonour to your name....
Pardon our wilful disobedience,
our arrogance, our pride;
restore our souls,
instil an attractiveness in us,
and lead us in the right paths
for your name's sake;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

O God, whose goodness and mercy
have followed us all the days of our life:
may Christ, the Good Shepherd,
who knows his sheep by name,
and on the Cross laid down his life for them,
gather us into his fold, into his Church
and into his love; and guide us in his way;
who, with you and the Holy Spirit,
lives and reigns, one God,
for ever and ever.   Amen.

Now may the God of peace,
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great Shepherd of the sheep,
make us perfect in every good work to do his will,
working in us, and working in our world,
our country, our Church and community,
all that is pleasing in his sight,
now and for evermore.   Amen.

Sunday 26 April 2020

In the Scottish Borders is Scott's View, named after Sir Walter Scott and said to be his favourite scenic spot. From a vantage point on a high road leading from Melrose to St. Boswells, the tourist gains a stunning view of the River Tweed and the three peaks of the Eildon Hills, forming a landscape of outstanding beauty.

A man was once asked why he visited Scott's View so frequently. He said that when his Christian faith was at a low ebb, a journey to Scott's View "restored his soul." As a young man he had first felt close to God there, and had often returned to find his flagging faith renewed and restored.

In St. John's Gospel (21: 1-14), we have a scene where, shortly after Jesus's death, some of his fisherman disciples went back to where they had first felt the divine presence and heard the divine call. They returned
to the Sea of Tiberias, but the lamp of faith burned low, fearing that their leader had perished on the Cross.

Then the remarkable happened. At the Sea of Tiberias, the faith of these downcast disciples was renewed and restored. The stranger they saw by the shore was Jesus himself, risen from the dead and back among them. 'They
knew it was the Lord,' we are told.

This story shows us that when our own Christian faith ebbs and flows, as it inevitably does, we may return to a place (as the disciples did) where God feels close, and where we can sense Christ's living presence.

Dr. George MacLeod, Scottish churchman and controversial cleric, said that in this world, there is such a thing as a "thin place", or "holy spaces". By this he means that there are particular locations where the veil between heaven and earth is so narrow that it barely exists.

This "thin place" has a strong, "spiritual pull" to it: there is an atmosphere, a presence, a power - unseen but not unreal - that points to a deep sense of God's closeness and Christ's presence.

In this "thin place", says George MacLeod, the weary Christian may find their faith renewed and restored. For the disciples, the Sea of Tiberias was their "thin place", their "holy space", the location to which they returned after Jesus's death, only to meet him there by the shore, where they had first met him and responded to his call. For the man in the Scottish Borders, Scott's View was
his "thin place" or "holy space" to which he returned for spiritual recovery.

Do we have "thin places" or "holy spaces" in our lives? If not, perhaps when this pandemic is over, we should acquire one. For as the Gospel reveals, it is in the "thin place" that we are most likely to feel God's presence, and the closeness of the risen Christ - and thereby find our faith reinvigorated for our Christian journey.

"By the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
God gave us new birth into a living hope."

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we, your unworthy servants,
give you most humble and hearty thanks
for all your goodness and loving kindness
to us and to all people.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
and especially today for those places
forever special to us, where we feel your closeness
and sense the presence of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
May these locations become holy ground for us,
that we may return there when our faith is tested
and when we grow spiritually weak and weary.
May we find there the nourishment we seek,
and so be inspired by your Holy Spirit
to continue on our Christian journey,
with a new sense of purpose
and a new understanding of your love.
We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ,
crucified, crowned, and alive for evermore. Amen.

Almighty God, rich in love and mercy,
our strength in every time of need or trouble:
as the present pandemic continues,
give healing to the sick, comfort to the bereaved,
skill to the professionals, courage to all carers,
and patience, perseverance and peace to us all;
for Jesus Christ our Lord's sake. Amen.

Now may the God of peace,
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great Shepherd of the sheep,
make us perfect in every good work to do his will,
working in us all that is pleasing in his sight,
now and for evermore. Amen.


​We regret to make reference to the recent deaths of Mr. Stephen Hope and Mr. Albert (Bert) Cruickshank, both of Meadowbank Place, Kirkmichael. Stephen was a roofer to trade, and came to Kirkmichael from Erskine, Renfrewshire, about six years ago, while Bert was latterly a bus driver, mainly on local routes. Each was much-loved by those who knew them, and we offer our sincere condolences to family members and friends.
In keeping with current procedure, funeral services will be strictly private.

Scott's View - July 2019 Photograph courtesy of Mgt Logan

Sunday 19 April 2020

There are times in life when we have 'second thoughts' about one thing or another. Knowing when to pay attention to these is an important lesson to learn in life.

Our 'second thoughts' may include a reservation about a previous action, position, decision or judgment, or a change of mind about a deeply-held belief or conviction in the light of new evidence or personal reflection.

This was certainly the case with Thomas, disciple of Jesus. St. John's Gospel tells us that Thomas was not with the Twelve, when they came together in a room on the evening of that first Easter Day. For Thomas, the whole story of Jesus having been raised from the dead was too much to accept without critical enquiry and direct personal experience.

Eight days later, however, Thomas was with the Twelve when they met once more in that room. There and then, Jesus invited him to come forward and touch his wounded hands and side. During that week, Thomas had 'second thoughts' - doubting his doubts - and on seeing Jesus, his heart overflowed in love and devotion, exclaiming: 'My Lord and my God!'

Having 'second thoughts' can be regarded as a weakness, rather than a virtue. Rethinking a previously, and passionately held conviction, can cause offence, and invite ungracious comment. The English poet, William Shenstone, said with derision that 'second thoughts oftentimes are the very worst of all thoughts.'

Thomas shows us today how 'second thoughts' can be recognised as a blessing. Through his own mental revision he cast off doubts about the Resurrection, and came in person to acknowledge Jesus Christ as 'My Lord and my God!' There is no shame in having 'second thoughts.' J.M. Barrie, the Scottish novelist and playwright, who penned Peter Pan, said: 'I have often found that the man whose second thoughts are good is worth watching!'

Thomas proves the point: his 'second thoughts' were good, and make him worth watching. They transformed a sceptic into a servant of Christ, and he remains a tribute to the power of 'second thoughts' to this day.

Hugh Montefiore, a former Bishop of Birmingham, got it right when he wrote: 'There is nothing wrong in second thoughts: they may well be better than first thoughts. The search for truth is all important, and fresh insights, even if they may involve abandoning earlier positions, ought always to be welcomed'. Indeed, as an old saying goes:

'Blessed are those who have second thoughts; they shall not be disappointed.'

Gracious God, as on this day
we remember your servant Thomas,
we pray for those who like him
find it hard to believe, hard to pray
and hard to accept the resurrection
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ....

We pray for those whose faith has faded;
for those who have lost the faith they once
possessed, that once sustained them;
for those who are unable to trust your
promises; for those who see no meaning
or purpose to life....

May your Holy Spirit transform their doubts
into conviction; and by having second thoughts,
may they find joy and peace in believing, with
a new and exciting vision of your love, here
and in every place....

We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ,
our risen, victorious Saviour. AMEN.


​We are sorry to intimate the peaceful passing on 15th April of Miss Mary Kerr, formerly of Tranew Farm, and Straiton Road, Kirkmichael, and Fairknowe House Care Home in Maybole, where she had been resident for almost twenty years.  Mary was well-known within the farming community, as were her late brothers, Jimmy, Alex and Robert (Robin). Mary's funeral is private, but a Thanksgiving Service will take place in Straiton Church at a later date.


​

Easter Sunday

The Lord is risen: he is risen indeed!

This is Easter Day:
The Day of Resurrection.
Let us rejoice and be glad!

There are arguably more books written about Jesus Christ than any other person.  These are to be found in libraries, churches, educational centres and other places. In our homes, we have the Bible with four Gospels, each an account of Jesus from a different perspective.

There are many today who insist that this is where Jesus belongs - in a history book or Bible story.  They see him as they see any historical figure: as someone who belongs to the past, and whose memory is best preserved on a book shelf.  For such people, the crucifixion means the end of Jesus, and he is now regarded only as a figure of personal and passing interest.

One sceptic has dismissed Jesus as 'a popular cult-hero, around whom has grown an extensive admiration society.'

For Christians, Jesus of Nazareth is much more than a historical figure.  He is a living Lord, a real dynamic presence to be encountered and experienced in the
course of everyday life.  For Christians, the Cross did not signify the end, but a new beginning, with the risen Christ meeting us in the light and shade of life, and bringing us the gift of eternal life.  

In his little book, What I Believe (1970), the Very Rev. Dr. Leonard Small, Moderator of the General Assembly in 1966-67, says that 'Experience witnesses to the Resurrection.  In forty years I have seen hundreds of people, of all sorts, face life with a radiance of joy, a tireless compassion for others and an unconquerable courage and faith which I can only explain by saying that Christ is alive for them, in them and through them.'

That is what we celebrate on Easter Day.  The Easter story points to a Christ who has defeated the powers of darkness - even death itself - and is alive and reigns for evermore.  The world can throw its worst at us, but the risen Christ is among us to strengthen us, and show us the way.  His pervasive presence is in every area of life, until finally he is all in all.

In the words of Brian Wren, the modern hymnwriter:
         
          Christ is alive!  No longer bound
          to distant years in Palestine,
          but saving, healing, here and now,
          and touching every place and time.

A joyful and a peaceful Eastertide to you all!

Lord of all life and power,
through the mighty resurrection of your son
you have overcome the old order of sin and death
and have made all things new in him.
Grant that we, being dead to sin
and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be praise and honour, glory and might,
now and in all eternity.   Amen.

From: The Book of Common Order (1979),
(Church of Scotland), Edinburgh 1979, 163

The Kirk Sessions of Kirkmichael and Straiton 
wish you and your loved ones God's richest Easter
blessings.  We remember in our prayers those among
you who are ill, or feel anxious or lonely, or are self-
isolating at this time, that you may still find the joy and peace of heart, mind and spirit that this holy season
brings to each of us.  Happy Easter everyone!

Easter Eve

On this day, Jesus's body lay in the tomb until the resurrection.
Jewish law clearly stated that even a criminal's body had to be buried that day.  None of Jesus's relatives could claim the body - they were all Galileans and did not possess a tomb in Jerusalem.
At this point, the wealthy Joseph of Arimathea intervened.  He asked Pilate for the body, after which he cared for it, placing it in a rock tomb.
Today, we remember those who have lost their lives in this coronavirus outbreak; and also their families, friends and loved ones, commending them to God's care, in the faith that Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life - the One through whom death itself has been destroyed.

(A moment for remembrance)

O God, as we come to Easter Eve and think of Jesus in the tomb,
grant that we may pass with him through the grave and gate of death, and be reborn to life in joy and everlasting praise; through him who died, was buried, and who rose for us, the same Jesus, our Saviour and Lord.   Amen.

Good Friday

On this day, following his arrest and trial, Jesus was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death - the sentence being carried out by crucifixion.  At three o'clock in the afternoon, at Golgotha ("the place of the skull"), Jesus died.

Christ Jesus humbled himself for us; and in obedience
he accepted death, death on a Cross.

This Passiontide, the world is in the grip of Covid-19.  We are now living under tight restrictions to try and contain its spread.

There is, however, another virus which has infected the whole human race.
This virus goes under many names, though its traditional, Biblical name is sin.  Each of us is affected, to a greater or lesser degree.  Sin is the view that human nature, while benevolent, is flawed, and not what it ought to be.

As human beings, we are not what God wills us to be, because sin causes us to 'miss the mark' in so many ways.  Everyone is infected by sin and its guilt, and human effort cannot reverse the condition. Only through God's initiative is change possible.

While scientists and researchers painstakingly seek a vaccine for Covid-19, God has already provided the vaccine for this virus known as sin.  Out of love for us and for the world, God gave the vaccine in the person of his Son Jesus Christ.  On the Cross, through Jesus Christ, God took upon himself the sin of the world, and made Jesus Christ the remedy for the human condition.

On the Cross, we see in those outstretched arms, the height, length, breadth and depth of God's love for us.  Jesus Christ is God's much-needed vaccine for us and for the sinful world of our day.  

That is one reason why this Friday can be called "Good".

As Thomas Kelly (1769-1855) puts it:
​
Inscribed upon the Cross we see
in shining letters, 'God is love';
he bears our sins upon the tree;
he brings us mercy from above.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
to whom we come in penitence of spirit:
as we remember the wondrous Cross
on which the Prince of Glory died,
we confess how guilty we are
of the very sins that drove Jesus
to the tree; and we acknowledge
that, by our many shortcomings,
we crucify him anew, day by day,
   in our lives....

Have mercy upon us, we pray,
and grant us your forgiveness.
And help us to nail to that Cross
the wrong desires of the heart,
the evil thoughts of the mind,
the cruel words of the tongue,
the ill-employment of hands and feet,
and all that is amiss in our lives;
that an instrument of shameful death
may be for us the means of life....

We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ,
whose wounds are our healing,
whose death our life,
whose shame our glory.   Amen.

​REFLECTIONS FOR HOLY WEEK

Grant us faith, O God, to journey into this holiest
of weeks, assured of the presence of our crucified
and risen Lord, your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.   
   Amen.

MONDAY
On this day, Jesus visited the Temple in Jerusalem,
and cleansed the courts of the money-changers who 
defiled that holy place.  Today, we ask God in Christ
to cleanse our lives of all that is impure and unworthy,
that he will make us honest in our dealings with him,
and in our dealings with others.  As Colin Morris has
said: 'The world belongs to God and will be what we
make it.'  Let us make it a place of honest business
and virtuous living.

TUESDAY
On this day, Jesus taught in the Temple courts, and 
spoke the great parables of judgment and salvation.
Today, we ask God in Christ that we not only to listen to
our Lord's teaching, but obey it.  As William Barclay said:
'Profession of faith without practice is something of which we are all more or less guilty... It does incalculable harm to the Christian Church... for it produces a faith which cannot do anything else than wither away.'

WEDNESDAY
On this day, Jesus was anointed at Bethany by a woman
with a bottle of expensive ointment.  By doing so, she
was symbolically anticipating his forthcoming death and
burial.  The disciples protested at the waste - the ointment could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor.
Yet Jesus commended this woman for her spontaneous
gesture.  Today, we ask God in Christ to give him, not our
easiest and cheapest efforts, but only what is best: only what is excellent and costs us something.  As Bishop John Taylor said: 'Only the best is good enough for God.'

MAUNDY THURSDAY
On this day, Jesus met with his disciples in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, washed their feet, gave the New Commandment to love one another, instituted the Holy Supper, and then went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Today, we ask God in Christ to make love the motive of all that we think, say and do. 
We pray for our lives to be purged of anger, bitterness and hate, so that the world may be ruled, not by the love of power, but only by the power of love.

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Sunday 5 April 2020

PALM SUNDAY

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes 'Hosanna!' cry;
O Saviour meek, pursue thy road
with palms and scattered branches strowed.

Jerusalem had never seen anything like it.
St. Matthew (21: 10) tells us that 'when Jesus entered
Jerusalem the whole city went wild with excitement.'

Jesus was greeted as the crowd would greet a king.  
They laid down their cloaks in front of him.  They cut
down and waived palm branches.  They shouted 'Hosanna!',
meaning 'Save now!'.  This was a cry for help from a people in distress, living under oppression and demanding deliverance.  The holy city was caught up in an emotional whirlwind.

Five days later the euphoria cooled.  The loud 'Hosannas' 
had fallen silent.  The royal gestures had disappeared.  The cheering had morphed into mockery and jeering.  Shouts of 'Crucify!' now condemned Jesus to public shame.  He wasn't the Messiah they had been hoping for.  He came in peace, not as warrior; he came in humility, not in might; he came in majesty, but also in meekness; he came in love, not in anger. He came, not to claim the kingship of the throne, but of the heart.

Many turned their disappointment into ridicule and rejection.  As David Lose (American Lutheran scholar) asks:  'Why did the crowd herald his entrance but then participate in his violent departure?'  Why, indeed?

The story points to the danger of mass hysteria.  When Jesus  entered Jerusalem, rampant hysteria gripped the crowd, only to give way to anger when the true nature of his mission became apparent.

This is true today.  We see situations magnified out of all proportion, due in part to mass hysteria and lack of self-control.   Rational thinking is rapidly replaced by emotion, and hysteria takes over.  In his provocative book, The Madness of Crowds (2019), Douglas Murray makes an impassioned plea for rational argument and debate, in circumstances where the flames of emotion are easily
kindled and human behaviour becomes almost irrational.

This was clearly evident on the first Palm Sunday, when many in that cheering crowd helped to nail Jesus to the Cross, within the short space of five days.

An old Scottish saying warns us to 'keep the heid.'  That means not giving way to hysteria or panic, but thinking clearly and logically, while remaining cool, calm and collected.

On this Palm Sunday, we may ask:

Are there moments in our lives when hysteria replaces rational thinking?  Or can we maintain self-control and 'keep the heid?'

True and humble King,
hailed by the crowd as Messiah:
in an age of mass hysteria,
with its loud and clamouring voices,
help us to listen to your voice,
to think clearly, rationally and logically,
and find ourselves beside you
on the way of the Cross,
which is the path of glory.
  Amen.

God of life, and God of love,
your Son brought healing to the sick
and hope to the despairing.
We pray for all who are sick,
for those who suffer pain, or loneliness,
isolation, or grief of heart.
Give them strength and comfort
and the assurance of your presence;
and surround them with your healing love
   and saving peace....

Bless those who share with Christ
a healing, and a caring ministry:
surgeons, doctors, nurses, researchers,
and all in the scientific, medical,
caring and frontline professions.

Use their sympathy and skill
for the relief of suffering,
the conquest of disease,
and the restoration of health,
and crown their efforts
with true and lasting success;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
   Amen.

From: Common Order (Church of Scotland),
Edinburgh 1994, 486 (adapted)

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Sunday 29 March 2020

GOD'S MEGAPHONE
The country is firmly in the grip of Covid-19.
According to one newspaper headline, this
is "World War C".  We are in lockdown, and
if the predictions are correct, the situation
may worsen in the coming weeks.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Amos
(Amos 4: 6-13) lists five devastating disasters
that have hit the people of Israel, each of which 
he attributes to the direct action of God.  We
would, of course, call them 'natural disasters',
rather than expressions of God's wrath.

One of these was a 'plague' - or virus.  Along
with the others (famine, drought, blight, fire),
this was the outcome of Israel's disobedience
to God's instructions, and her consistent
failure to repent, and return to the Divine way.

The modern mind finds it hard to regard such 
disasters in the way the Old Testament sees
them - as a sign of God's judgment on an
arrogant, selfish, disobedient people.  Only
insurance companies would call these natural 
disasters (including the 'plague' or virus) 'acts
of God'.

Amos never questions God's goodness, even 
though he sees these disasters as the result of
God's initiative.  What they drive him to do is to
ask: 

'What has God to teach me through this?' 

Faced with Covid-19 and its effects, this is a proper
question for each of us to ask:  'What has God to
teach me through this?'  Without in any way attributing
this pandemic to Divine action, we can still ask the same
question:  'What has God to teach me through this?'
'What has God to teach the Church, the nations, the
world through this?'

The late Bishop John Taylor* (St. Albans), a fine Old
Testament scholar, said that such calamities can
still be 'God's megaphone' to all who will listen to
his voice.

On this Fifth Sunday of Lent, here is a point to ponder:

Are we prepared to learn from this experience?
Or, like the people of Israel, who gave Amos such
heartache, are we simply going to ignore any
God-given lesson, and carry on in our own way?

Does 'God's megaphone' tell us something today?  
Or does it fall silently on deaf ears?


* John B. Taylor, The Minor Prophets, London 1970, 33.


O God, forasmuch as without you
we are not able to please you:
mercifully grant that, at this time,
as at all times, your Holy Spirit may,
in all things, direct and rule our hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.   
   Amen.

O God, the protector of all who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy:
be with us, and with our loved ones
in these difficult, and often depressing days.
Be with all who suffer visibly
and with those who suffer silently,
and especially with the sick, the elderly,
the vulnerable and the isolated.
Speak to them and to us
your still, small voice of calm;
and grant to us and to the world
the beauty of your peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  
   Amen.

"The souls of the righteous are in God's hands".

We regret to intimate the passing of Mrs. Rona Potter
(Kirkmichael) on 21st March, and Mrs. Marion Campbell
(Straiton/Ayr) on 24th March.  Both ladies were of strong
Christian conviction, and will be much missed.  We offer
our sincere condolences to Frank and Roy, and to all
family members and friends.  We are also sorry to learn
of the death of the Rev. William (Bill) Hannah (25th March), formerly minister at Muirkirk, who organised the visit of the Moderator of the General Assembly to Straiton Church in 2016.  Bill was lately resident in Erskine Care Home.  We also remember Morag and the family at this time.

The Rev. W. Gerald Jones

"The rainbow - a sign of God's covenant of love with mankind and with all key workers at this time"

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Sunday 22 March 2020

Dear Friends
​
Today, we find ourselves in a unique situation.  Our church buildings are closed.  Their bells have fallen silent.  Our praise, for the time being, is restricted to private devotion.  The friendship and fellowship we share week by week has ceased for the time being, and the whole country is more or less in lockdown.  Though our much-loved places of worship have closed, and all services cancelled, we have not ceased to be a Church (with a capital C) - nor have we ceased to be Christians.  Indeed, in times such as these, the Christ-like is brought out in us, and as St. Paul reassures us, "all things work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to his purpose".

The short prayer below is written for your use.  You may read it aloud or quietly, or pass it on to anyone for whom it may be helpful. 

With every blessing and best wish.
Gerald

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​Almighty God, our refuge and strength
in every time of need and trouble:
at this time of national emergency,
when uncertainty and fear fill our hearts,
come to us in the fullness of your might....

  What we have been, forgive us;
  what we know not, teach us;
  what we have not, grant us;
  what we are not, make us....

Grant to our leaders, wisdom; to those who protect us,
courage; to all who seek our relief and release, the skills
of restoring health and wholeness; and to the world at this
time of rampant virus, the healing vaccine of your love,
   made known to us in Jesus Christ,
   our Lord for ever and ever.   Amen.