5 Alive on 10^th 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!

The wider Church has a custom of blessing homes on the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6^th). 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

Isaiah 8:11 – 9:7 – The Prince of Peace

Father of light,

yours is the morning and yours is the evening;

shine in our hearts

and draw us to that light

where you live in radiant glory.

We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord

Amen.

(unknown)

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)

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.”

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)

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.

1 Kings 3:3 – 14: God’s Creative Wisdom

Almighty God,

you kindled the light of your Spirit

in the hearts of your faithful people;

may we by the same Spirit

have a right judgement in all things,

and evermore rejoice in your love and power;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

(CW Collect of Pentecost)