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5 Alive
5 Alive on 10th January 2016 focussed on Jesus’ Coming of Age
The two readings, one from Luke 2:39-3:14; were well known stories of Jesus at the Temple when his parents lost him – aged 12
Jesus was deeply curious, asking questions of scholars, and deeply thoughtful, giving wise answers to their questions. Seeking to take in and learn and not afraid to give out and teach. Both require vulnerability and risk taking. God loves inquisitive people!
After this the scripture says Jesus increased in wisdom and years and in divine and human favour. Jesus was unconventional in terms of his staying behind in Jerusalem against his parent’s wishes.
John the Baptist was unconventional demonstrating an alternative ritual cleansing that annoyed the religious and civic authorities. But the second reading in Luke3:21-22 told how Jesus went to John to be baptised. Despite the fact that John was very different God spoke out favourably when his Son was baptised by John
Being unconventional can cause tension in relationships. But God blessed both John and Jesus.
We posed a question for all those there– have you ever been in trouble for doing something you thought was the right thing to do?
We used DVD clips – from Home Alone, and of Jesus Baptism to illustrate the issues and as we prayed together we had Folded people – praying for individuals and their connections. We made Plasticine people to represent people we were praying for.
Jan and Catie Sambrook lead the music beautifully
Finally as 5 Alive is about everyone’s view being equally important and having discussions and learning together is crucial, we set out Brian McLaren five guidelines for discussion that seem to reflect some of Jesus’ approach.
1) Take part – Share your thoughts – use ‘I’ statements
2) Paying attention to others– Respecting different opinions – asking questions
3) Silence is OK
4) Accept one another – don’t have to agree
5) Keep it short
And we kept it short!
Chalking the Door: An Epiphany House Blessing 2016
The wider Church has a custom of blessing homes on the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6th). To ask God’s blessing on our homes and those who live or visit our homes. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.
A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk blessed during our Epiphany liturgy earlier that day and write above the home’s doorway, 20 + C + M + B + 16. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words “Christus mansionem benedicat”, “May Christ bless this house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and 2016 is the year.
If you would like your home to be blessing this feast of Epiphany, please contact Revd Charlene 01484 851334 or email charlene.smith1979@gmail.com.
God’s Blessing
Charlene
Weekly News 3rd January 2016
Jesse Tree – December 22nd
Jesse Tree – 21st December
Malachi 3:1-5, 4:1-6 – God’s Promise Through Malachi
Lord Jesus, Light of the world,
take away our darkness, forgive our sins.
Make us children of light;
and banish from us the deeds of darkness,
that we may bear your radiant light
in a world waiting for the dawn of your Kingdom,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
(GL)
Weekly News 27.12.2015
Jesse Tree – December 20th
Luke 1:26-38 – God’s promise to Mary
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Jesse Tree – December 19th
Matthew 3:1-6 – John the Baptist
Almighty God,
we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith
with all who have been baptised into your name.
Keep us faithful to our baptism,
and so make us ready for that day
when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
(From the Baptism Service)
Jesse Tree – December 18th
Deuteronomy 5:1-32 – Moses and the Law
God of Moses and Aaron,
you gave the law to your servant Moses
and fulfilled the same in your Son.
Write your law on our hearts
and make us more than hearers of your law
that we may delight in your commands
and rejoice in your Word, made flesh in Jesus Christ.
Amen.