It’s already the 3rd Sunday of Advent! Sunday 13th December. Join us in church or online for a service of Holy Communion led by Rev’d John Dracup from St Bartholomew’s – Meltham starting at 9:30am.
Due to the current Covid restrictions, the annual Carols in the Park cannot go ahead with the usual format – however, we’re pleased to announce that a Drive-In Carols in the Car Park will take place instead at Morrisons on Sunday 20th December at 5pm.
Please note that places are limited and must be pre-booked – do it now to avoid missing out! Attendance is by car only, or you can also watch online via YouTube. You can find further details and book via the website http://www.meltham.org
There is also an option to make a donation to the ‘Simon on the Streets’ charity which supports the homeless and vulnerable. https://simononthestreets.co.uk/
Thanks go to Meltham Crossroads, the Town Council and of course Morrisons who are supporting us with this event.
As you know we had to plan our fundraising differently this year but we are delighted to announce that at the moment we have a total of £4,406 for ‘Crisis’.
We have had some very generous donations of time, items to buy and money and our thanks go to everyone who has made this possible.
Recently reading Pauls letter to the Ephesians reminded me of one of Watchman Nee’s books Sit, Walk, Stand.
Read many years ago, now sitting comfortably on one of our bookshelves. It made quite an impact at the time of first reading.
Watchman Nee, Ni Tuosheng, or Nee T’o-sheng, was a Chinese church leader and Christian teacher who worked in China during the 20th century. In his book, Sit,Walk,Stand, he sub-divides the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians as you see in the title.
SIT – “The God of our Lord Jesus Christ – raised Him from the dead , and made Him to sit at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
God made Jesus to sit and made us to sit with Him. Christian life does not begin with walking, it begins with sitting. Though the Christian life begins with sitting, sitting is always followed by walking. Sitting describes our position with Christ in the heavenlies. Sitting is where we experience God working in us by His Holy Spirit.
WALK – Walking is the practical out-working of that heavenly position here on earth. Christian experience begins with sitting and leads to walking, but it does not end simply with Sitting and Walking . Every Christian must learn also to Stand.
STAND – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.”
Emboldening words from St Paul. They could be the words of a deeply respected army general to his beleaguered troops before they go into battle. This is a spiritual battle and St Paul is in no doubt whatsoever about the powers of evil that confront us.
How do you react to this conviction of his that there are spiritual forces of evil at work?
Do you have any sense of this kind of struggle in your own life?
St. Paul urges us to put on the whole armour of God. What does your armour look like? Does it fit well?
Can you imagine a scene where you are given, and then put on, the whole armour of God?
Is it a magnificent piece of shining equipment? Or does it look altogether different?
How does it feel to be wearing it?
ADVENT READING
Isaiah 43 v 1-5a Israel’s Only Saviour
43 But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour; I give Egypt for your ransom, 4 Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
ADVENT PRAYER
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, you make light to shine in the darkness. You guided the children of Israel and led them, after many trials and tribulations, to the Promised Land. As you called them you call us. We ask you to give us strength in our weakness, to dispel our fear of the unknown, to help us to know that we walk in your light and that you are always near us, leading us to freedom as your children. Amen
As you bring your thoughts to a close, speak to God as your great ally, who has overcome all evil.
Ask Him for whatever courage you might need to meet the challenges of today.
‘O my heart be wise when your enemies surround you. Keep praying; ask the Lord for help. For he is powerful. That is your weapon; do not lose it. Pray without ceasing, for the Lord is powerful.’ Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Happy Christmas! Welcome to the Christmas edition of the #Meltham parish magazine. This month we have included things to lift your spirits and enter into the festivities with lots of Christmas cheer! Due to ongoing Covid 19 a lot of the usual Christmas events have had to be cancelled and those already planned may have to be at the last minute. However it’s not all bad; we still will have the Christmas Day services and not forgetting Christmas Jumper Sunday!
It’s the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Join us in church or online for a service of Holy Communion led by Rev’d Dennis Shields from St Bartholomew’s at 9:30am.
We continue with the Senior Church Leaders Call to Prayer over the four weeks of Lockdown and we continue with the final set of prayers.
PRAYER FOR WEEK4 – 30th November –6th December
Week 4
Loving God, your Son Jesus Christ came that we might have life and have it abundantly; pour out your blessing upon our nation;
where there is illness, bring your healing touch; where there is fear, strengthen us with the knowledge of your presence;
where there is uncertainty, build us up in faith;
where there is dishonesty, lead us into truth,
where there is discord, may we know the harmony of your love; this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A PRAYER FOCUS FOR US TO USE EACH DAY
MONDAY SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
We pray for all those involved in the shaping of young lives. We give God thanks for the sacrifice and commitment of teachers and all those involved in serving children and young people in education.
TUESDAY ELDERLY, ISOLATED ABD VULNERABLE
We echo God’s commitment to those most at risk of this virus by praying for those who are particularly vulnerable and isolated. We pray for their deliverance protection and comfort. We hold before God those who care for them – that they would be strengthened and encouraged in this work.
WEDNESDAY BUSINESSES, THE WORKPLACE AND ECONOMIC WELLBEING
In this time of great challenge, we pray for the economic wellbeing of the country. We remember before God those who face great uncertainty in their work. We lift before God those who have lost their jobs and face an uncertain and difficult future.
THURSDAY NHS AND OTHER KEY WORKERS
Our God is the great healer – and the agent used more than any other is the NHS. Today we voice our gratitude for those who serve this country in the National Health Service and pray that God would prosper the work of their hands – that they would be encouraged in their continued work of sacrifice and care amongst us.
FRIDAY NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
We pray for those who are in positions of authority with responsibility for decision making at national and local level at this difficult time. We ask that God would give great wisdom, deep commitment to all and right judgement.
SATURDAY ALL WHO ARE GRIEVING AND ALL SUFFERING WITH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ILL-HEALTH.
‘Lord the one you love is ill.’ John 11.v3
We bring to God all those who suffer in body, mind spirit or with grief. We ask that in God’s great loving kindness they might know God’s sustaining presence amidst their pain.
SUNDAY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES
We lift to God those we hold in our hearts – praying for their healing. their well-being and their sense of hope. We pray that even when loved ones cannot physically be together, they would not feel apart. We ask for God’s help in our communicating, our connecting and our caring.
Each week during the season of Advent we will have a scripture to reflect on, followed with a Prayer.
SCRIPTURE READING ISA 40:27-31
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God’? Have you not known’? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not fail or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, and they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
PRAYER
Lord, I am poured out, I come to you for renewal.
Lord, I am weary, I come to you for refreshment,
Lord, I am worn, I come to you for restoration.
Lord, I am lost, and I come to you for guidance.
Lord, I am troubled, I come to you for peace.
Lord, I am lonely, I come to you for Love.
Come Lord,
Come revive me.
Come re-shape me.
Come, mould me in your image.
Re-cast me in the furnace of you love.
Power Lines David Adam
Let us continue to pray for our community, the Crossroads Project and those we know who are struggling at this time with loneliness and the effects of the Virus.
We pray also for the METHODIST ADVENT CHRISTMAS CAMPAGN – GOD IS WITH US’
The campaign name, of course, comes from John Wesley’s purported words on his death bed:
‘the best of all is, God is with us’ and this reminds us that even in the times which feel most uncertain, we can be certain of God.
Who do you know who needs to hear this message over the coming months?
‘Keep praying; ask the Lord for help for he is powerful.
That is your weapon; do not lose it. Pray without ceasing, for the Lord is powerful.’