Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve

I somehow missed this service had been streamed, you can watch it with Rev'd Paul preaching here

Sunday Eucharist

 The service for the First Sunday of Christmas can be found here

Advent week 4 on Love

 I forgot to release the clip for viewing, the link will now work

The video for week 4 is here

Eucharist for Christmas Day

 The service can be found here

Advent week 4 on Love

 The video for week 4 is here

Hope for 2021

Coronavirus has upended all our lives, perhaps making 2020 a year many of us would rather forget. A year of darkness, a year of countless trials and tribulations including global panic and uncertainty. People have died, businesses have gone under, young people’s education has suffered, public worship and social gatherings have been restricted even forbidden at times. I could go on but I am sure I don’t need to. It might seem as if there is less hope in the world than ever there was.

Now more than ever we need hope in our lives, in our hearts. Last week I put this question to a few people, off the top of your head and without too much thought what do you hope for in 2021? Triumph over COVID-19 was a popular answer. With the recent rollout of the vaccination programme, this must be a real possibility. Hugs, get to 2022, a holiday were some of the other replies. Again, maybe a real possibility especially if the vaccination programme is successful.

In less than a week’s time, we celebrate the birth of Christ. A poor helpless babe who came into the world bringing a message of light and hope. As Christians, we know that not only did Jesus come to bring hope, He is our sure and certain hope for the future even through a global Pandemic.

Sunday Eucharist

 The service for the 4th Sunday of Advent can be found here

Advent week 3 on Joy

Due to technical difficulties last week the session was not available to view, the video for week 3 is here

Love, Joy, Peace and Hope.

Last week I posted a picture of my cat Sergio and asked for a caption. Paws for Pep talk for Sergio was suggested, thank you for sending it in. Maybe a Manchester City supporter. This week I offer you another picture.  As you can see Sergio has been hard at work, decimating my crib scene.  

Archie enjoyed the flurry of snow that we had last week. He went out into the garden with his daddy and enjoyed throwing snowballs. One of the neighbours said that he had heard them in the garden and it brought back wonderful childhood memories of when he had played in the snow. Hearing Archie and his daddy had really brightened his day,

The rotary club of Rochdale have brought much joy to many children as they have toured the streets with Santa in his sleigh. In return, they asked for donations to help out the neediest families in the borough.

Paulie's Winter Wonderland is Heywoood's most Christmassy House. The house is decorated each Christmas in memory of the owners brother who was cared for by the hospice. Those who do see it are asked to make a much-needed donation to Springhill Hospice. 

A local family have lost almost all of their belongings in a house fire, this week. Friends, neighbours and strangers have rallied round to try and make life more bearable as they begin to put their house back together.

Love and Joy are two of the themes of advent. Knowingly or unknowingly above are just a few examples of love and joy that have brought into people's lives by the actions others. Peace and hope are another two themes of the advent season. The action of God sending his only son as a little baby gives us peace in our hearts and hope in our lives

This week can I encourage to think about the love and joy you may have given or received and what it to truly means to have peace and hope in our lives this Christmas time.

Christmas Services

20th Dec at 3pm: Carol service outside the church hall

23rd Dec at 10am: Holy Communion

Christmas Eve

7pm Christingle service by Zoom, contact Amy Elizabeth for the link

11.30 pm Midnight Mass

Christmas Day

9.30 am Holy Communion

27th Dec at 9.30 am: Holy Communion

30th Dec at 10am: Holy Communion

For attendance at all but the Christingle contact the Vicarage to book a place.

Sunday Eucharist

The service for the second Sunday of Advent can be found here

It always comes in three's

When I got in my car to go to church this morning, it wouldn't start. I have no idea why. As I tried to start it, running through my mind was something that my nana always used to say " It always comes in threes you know" I would look at her and say "what does?" She would reply "bad luck". I am not superstitious but my mobile phone has decided not to charge any more and have recently renewed my oven and hob because they broke. maybe she had a point!

I have also heard it said that good luck comes in threes. It is thought this saying has its origins in the saying third time lucky. This is the belief that after failing twice, you might get lucky the third time. In essence, what I am trying to say is if at first, you don't succeed, try and try again. Having said that no matter how many times I tried to start my car this it just would not go.

Going back to last weeks blog I suggested that in preparation for the coming of the Christ child you could try to set aside five minutes each day to prepare your hearts. I don't know if any of you have tried to do this and succeeded? If you have and you did, great, keep it up. If you haven't and you didn't, all is not lost. Why not start today, maybe after reading this Blog. If five minutes seems too much, try two or three minutes. It might be third time lucky or it might not be so. Remember if you don't succeed, try and try again. 

And now for something completely different. 

Sergio has settled in very well. Like all kittens, he is very inquisitive. He has decided he likes sleeping under the bed and is very much into investing cupboards and wardrobes. He darts in there as soon as the door is opened and locked in quite a few times. 

He is also quite vain! The song "You're  So Vain" by Carly Simon springs to mind.

I thought we could have a little competition. Perhaps you could send me a caption or the title of another song that would fit this picture or indeed the other one. You may even have a picture of your own that we could add a caption to.

Send to: csteel58@hotmail.com

 

Sunday Intercessions

 Watchful at all times,

let us pray for strength to stand with confidence

before our Maker and Redeemer.

We pray that God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy,

Lord in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

 

We pray that God may establish among the nations

his sceptre of righteousness, strengthening us to speak your truth to powers that threaten to overcome us, help us to speak up for the voiceless and the vulnerable like the Prophets.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

 

We pray that we may seek Christ in the Scriptures

and recognize him in the breaking of the bread,

help us to draw ever more closer to you and find the time to rest and know you more and

more.

Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer

 

We pray that God may bind up the brokenhearted,

restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen.

We pray for those injured and killed in the explosion in Bristol.

We pray particularly for those in our community, those living on Thorpe

Close, and those living in Milfield and Oakdene residential homes.

We bring to you O God those who are known to us who need the healing touch of Jesus,

Jean Smith, Christine Moorfield, Enid Firth, Evelyn, Mary Lawton, Alma and Grace Stansfield,

Carrie-Ann, Bernard, Mark, Betty Heap, Andrew Fawcett, Nazir Ismail, Carole and David.

Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

 

We pray that the light of God’s coming may dawn

on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death. Especially those who

have died recently, including Kieren Farrell.

In years mind we remember, Hilda Cooper, James Makinde, Cyril Ranson,

and Trevor styles.

We pray also for Ann Sutcliff, as she is laid to rest on Monday.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

 

We pray that, with all the saints in light,

we may shine forth as lights for the world,

we pray especially for our young people in the congregation, and all who

attend our local schools, and we pray for the safe journey of university

students, and all students coming back home to their families.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

 

We commend ourselves and all for whom we pray

to the mercy and protection of our heavenly Father:

 Merciful father accept these prayers,

 for the sake of your son

our saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen

Advent Week 1 on Hope

 If you would have liked to have joined us for the advent sessions but were unable to make it you can watch it here.  Please be gentle with us as none of us areTV personalities.

The Reason for the Season.

 A few weeks ago, a letter dropped onto the doormat and emblazoned across it was

CHRISTMAS IS CANCELLED,

that is like saying Jesus was never born. My youngest daughter Charlotte would have been upset by seeing this. She loved the lead up to Christmas and immensely enjoyed all the preparation, the hype and razzamatazz that went with it. She would start nagging me to put the Christmas tree up even though it might only have been the middle of November. The timing of taking the tree down always had to be negotiated as she would have been quite happy for it stay up until next the next year. She even enjoyed hearing the sometimes-tacky Christmas songs belting out in the shops far too early. Every year she would wait in eager anticipation and increasing excitement for the Coca-Cola ad to appear on the TV.  I do have to say that I have seen this year’s Coca-Cola advert. It made me smile as I thought about how excited Charlotte would have been on seeing it.

Yesterday was the first Sunday in Advent. Advent purely and simply means “coming” So how do we prepare for the coming of the Christ child this Christmas.  All too often we arrive at Christmas feeling totally frazzled. So much to do and so very little time in which to do it. Decorations to hang presents to buy and wrap, tree to buy or retrieve from the attic or back of the broom cupboard and decorate, Christmas cards to write, not to mention baking, cleaning, visiting, concerts, parties and so the list goes on. The social scene may be somewhat quieter this year but the lead up to Christmas will still I imagine be very hectic and extremely busy. In the midst of all these preparations let us not forget the reason for the season (corny I know but appropriate)

It is good to be ready and prepared for Christmas, but as well as focusing on all that there is to do, there is something else to consider, our hearts. How do we prepare our hearts to welcome the Christ Child? After all, isn’t this what Christmas is all about.

In the hall, I have a picture and each time I walk into the house I see it. Written on the picture is a verse from Psalm 46:10

                                     "Be still and know that I am God”

 It is a picture of peace and calm. Each time I look at the picture I can almost hear the waves gently breaking on the seashore and feel the sand between my toes. The sereneness and tranquillity of the scene helps me to let go of the daily comings and goings of my life.

So why not this Advent season do just that. Set aside some time each day to be still. even if it is only five minutes. It might help you to put to aside the busyness of the season, help you to remember the reason for the season and prepare your hearts for the coming of the Christ child.

 

Sunday Eucharist

 The service for the first Sunday of Advent can be found here

Intercessions

 The intercessions for the first Sunday of Advent can be found here

Advent Sessions

It is not too late to sign up for the Advent sessions.  After a successful introduction on 25th, we will have singing of hymns and carols and the advent candles will be lit.

2. 2nd December 2nd thought on 1st Advent: Hope   

3. 9th December 3rd thought on 2nd Advent: Peace  

4. 16th December 4th thought on 3rd Advent: Joy    

5. 23rd December 5th thought on 4th Advent: Love 

6. 
   

We know it’s not ideal to host these sessions on zoom but in these uncertain times I look at this as an opportunity to think of each other’s safety and as Paul says to Romans that  

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose”. (Romans 8:28)  

It is very hard to do good things in bad circumstances but as a believer, we have hope in that hope we can live in peace with joy and spread the word of God. 

I am very much looking forward to seeing you all so we can lift each other in spirit during these sessions.  

Praise the Lord. 

Please come and join me in God’s spirit along with your family and friends. 

If you would like to join these sessions, please contact me on (07883063137or kathreenshahbaz@gmail.com) so I can send you the zoom invite. 

If you have concerns about using Zoom, please still contact me and we can run through the procedure with you.

With lots of love and every blessing, 

Kathreen Shahbaz. 

Can't see the wood for the trees

Yesterday’s Old Testament reading set for morning prayer made me sit up and be intrigued. It was from Isaiah (which is one of my favourite books in the Bible). This particular verse drew my attention to the type of trees that were mentioned:

“I will put in the wilderness the cedar,

the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive;

I will set in the desert the cypress,

the plane and the pine together.

so that all my see and know,

all may consider and understand,

that the hand of the Lord has done this.” Isaiah 41:19-20.

The Ceder, is a tree that can grow up to huge hights of 35 metres and because of this provides a good area of shelter. And, because of is size the wood was used to build huge things like temples. It is an evergreen and a source of essential oil.

The Acacia tree is valued for long roots that can stabilize the soil in areas threatened by erosion. The roots reach deep underground and therefore the tree can tolerate extreme drought conditions.

The Myrtle tree is an evergreen and useful for making oil to heal.

The Olive tree is an evergreen and extremely tough. It has the ability to re-grow even when damaged by fire all the way to the base. It most loved and known for its fruits and oil.

And then finally the Cypress tree, which is fast growing, but grows best near water.

I looked at all the properties of these trees and realised the impact of what God is saying in these verses. Placing the Ceder, Acacia, Myrtle, and Olive in the wilderness is setting up a provision for His people in the bareness and barrenness. Shelter, food, balm to heal, and a sign of endurance and resilience. These sources of life are evergreen, like His love and provision. They will not fade, He will not fade away, His promise is for ever, resilient, fruitful, relentless.

Then I realised that also God is putting trees in places where they are not normally able to thrive, so all may see and know that the Lord has done this. Like the Cypress in the desert when it likes lots of water and grows next to rivers.

What can we learn from these trees that God plants?

I love the characteristics of them.

Deep rooted, resilient, healers, shelter, a food source, stabilizers.

All things that are called out of us to be as we walk with Jesus.

Can we be resilient even when we feel we have been burnt down to our very base?

Can we be stable and frequent in our prayer life to sustain us even when things feel like they are falling apart?

Can we be a food source and shelter to our neighbours?

Can we be healers by listening and showing love to all?

What I am saying in all of this, is that all may grow with the Lord in whatever pasture is around them, even when it seems impossible.

And, in the impossibility, God shows us that He can plant things in us that we did not realise could be possible, He can grow anything anywhere.

We do not need to be perfect to be able to receive God’s love, but awake and open to His word, our hearts open to the possibility of impossibility.

The grace and wonders that God works in and through us is that all my see and know, all may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this.

All may grow with the Lord in whatever pasture is around them, even when it seems impossible. 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations

Congratulations to Freda and Terry Davies who celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary today.  

Freda joined the congregation last year after her own parish church closed and is keeping in contact by watching the services on-line.  

Freda and Terry's children have given them a present on the 26th of each month during the year and today they got a card from HM the Queen.

Another one of Lyn's Midweek Musings

 

Most of you know that one of my Granddaughters has a life threatening illness (two actually) and that her Father is a Royal Marine, which means that he is away from home more often than not.  For this reason, my daughter has formed a bubble with Dave and myself.  It is also for this reason that Dave and I have to be extremely careful.  I have asked that anyone entering the office cleans all surfaces, and anything that they may have touched, with anti bacterial wipes before leaving.  Even when we are not in enforced lock down, I have to do what I can to avoid even socially distanced physical contact, conducting meetings via zoom and wherever possible, working alone rather than with my colleagues.  This goes against the grain somewhat, but it is important and a sacrifice I have to make.  I realise that I am far from alone in this, indeed most of us are doing much the same, just to comply with government guidance, the difference is, due to my personal circumstances,  I am quite possibly more acutely aware of the need.

 

This brings me to the point of this blog post: how aware are we of the things that are life threatening to the Spirit of God that dwells within us?  How much care do we take to protect it?  Some of the things that are life threatening to the spirit within us are common to all, but some vary from one individual to another.  For some, solitude feeds the Spirit while for others, loneliness is damaging.  For some silence is important while for others, singing helps their spirit soar, whether that singing be traditional or modern, soft and gentle or enthusiastically loud.  Sometimes, to protect the Spirit of God within, we need to avoid things that we might find pleasant.  Even though we love to spend time with our Granddaughter, and have permission to do so,  to protect her, we stay away unless we are needed, either to calm her, or as in recent days, to get her to a medical appointment when her Mother was unable to drive.  What things do you find pleasant that could actually be spiritually damaging?  It could be something that in moderation is fine, but excessive amounts of anything can be damaging.  Do we spend excessive amounts of time or money on anything?  Could these things shift our focus from the God that we serve?  There are many, many things to consider.

 

Advent is fast approaching, and like Lent, it is a time for a spiritual spring clean or more appropriately, a December de-clutter.  Let us resolve to take time during the coming season, to reflect on our spiritual lives, asking for God’s guidance on how to protect His Spirit within us, and let us act upon the guidance that He gives.

 

God bless

Wind Knocked Out Of Your Sail

 Last Wednesday in her midweek musings Revd Lyn began by saying "It's amazing how the Lord can use the same thing to say something quite different to different people, according to their need," She then went on to explain how the image of a field of cobwebs had spoken to her husband Dave and then how it had spoken to herself. She finished by asking what does this image say to you? 

The image spoke to me of a sail on a boat that has suddenly caught some wind. As the wind fills the sail, it begins looks like the shape of a wing.  

Of course, you can't see the wind filling the sail of the boat but you know it is there as the boat picks up speed.

Yesterday I was out walking with Archie when he suddenly stopped and said: "what's that nana? It was the sound of the wind rustling what few leaves there were left on the trees. How do you explain the wind to a 2 year

 old who can feel and hear it but can't see it? 

I am reminded of the Holy Spirit. The first time the Holy Spirit turns up in the bible is as wind. Like the wind, the Holy Spirit is invisible and unpredictable. Just as a boat needs the wind to fill sail so

that it can move along the water, we also need the holy spirit to come and fill us. Life without the Holy Spirit is like having the wind knocked out of your sail. Having our lives filled with Holy Spirit equips us for a life of service, helping us to build up the body of Christ here on earth.

Christ the King

 The Eucharist service can be found here

Sunday Eucharist for Christ the King

Rev'd Lyn's sermon can be viewed here

Rev'd Chris's Intercessions can be viewed here

The service is planned for a live stream, you will be able to watch it here later today.

Watching and waiting

I’ve spent another week using the garden as a way to escape from the crushing reality of lockdown. This week I put a bird feeder in the garden. It is a tall one that has many hooks for the feeders to hang from. It also has a basket type arm for loose seed and one for a water dish.

I have watched each day to see if the birds had taken any interest. First up was the local Pidgeon which was on all counts huge. A round pillowy specimen who realised it could sit in the water dish and help itself to the seed. 

Next up was the squirrel. Now some may remember that I had shared my challenge with the squirrels destroying the plastic feeders in the past. This time I was prepared and had metal feeders. I also made a conscious decision to located the whole thing away from potential climbing points to discourage mr squirrel. 

He was adamant though, and I watched as he tried to climb up the pole. Satisfyingly  he slid down. 

1-0 to me. 

Then in a feat of bravery he launched himself off the fence and landed with a thump on the very top! 

1-1 

Well I was equally impressed and annoyed. Soon he got himself into the seed and the less robust feeder.

1-2 to Mr Squirrel. 

So today I removed the water dish so he could not copy what the pigeon was doing, sitting at leisure and stuffing his chops.

2-2.a draw for now!

Anyway, after these frequent visitors were managed I have started to see more and more birds arrive. A robin, blue tits, blackbirds, a thrush, and a jackdaw. There are others and I am beyond excited to see them.

As I watched the sun start to set, I listened to the birds sing and in my mind I had a glimpse of summer, where the longer nights are set to a backdrop of birdsong. I closed my eyes and I could smell the perfume of grass and flowers in the heavier warm air.

In that moment I realised that whatever happens over these next couple of weeks, the seasons will continue to change. And that also means Christmas will arrive too whatever it looks like. 

The celebration of Jesus Christ being born in a manger, fed and swaddled by his blessed mother, will happen. 

Our remembering of God dwelling with us will happen. 

It might not be how we expected it, but God’s love and joy will find a way to us, all we need to do is to keep watch.

I will keep watch over these next few weeks to see what other birds will arrive in the garden. And as I do, I will keep watch for glimpses of God’s love and joy as we journey towards Advent and then Christmas.

 

Midweek musings

Midweek musings

During this second lock down, Dave and I have been visiting our prayer field.  I was surprised one day, on a bright, early morning, to see hundreds of cobwebs that looked like a lacy carpet on the grass.  Here is one, close up and you may be able to see lots of others like a pale topping on the green grass.

It's amazing how the Lord can use the same thing to say something quite different to different people, according to their need.

Dave told me of how he had been concerned about how he would manage a certain situation with limited resources.  Seeing the carpet of cobwebs made him of think of manna in the wilderness, that milk coloured ground covering that was God's provision for His people in need.  This spoke to Dave of his need to let go of concerns because God would provide.  It was just what he needed at that time.

I had been concerned about many things, the death of my Mother, the ongoing devastation of Covid 19 and the life of the church and its people with renewed restrictions.  I was seeing no one from church, no sign of life.  I suddenly got a sense of unseen life, things going on, unseen.  I have never once seen a spider in that field but there must be hundreds of them to produce so many cobwebs.  I may not see my Mother now but that doesn't mean there is no life there, and so with church, just because I don't see people now, doesn't mean that there is no life there.  People are reading spiritual books, doing good deeds for friends, neighbours and relatives; engaging with online worship, spending time in prayer and countless other things that I don't necessarily see.  I needed to be made aware of that and the good Lord opened my eyes and eased my mind.

And what of you?  What does this image say to you?  Perhaps this lock down may be a time to clear away the cobwebs, no, not in your house but in your head or your heart.   Maybe it says something totally different to you.  Ask God to help you to see something around you today, that will speak to you of His provision for you, His love for you, or whatever you need from Him today.

God bless

Lyn

An Autumn Day Out

Well, after all the rain of the last few weeks, who could have predicted the glorious sunshine we had just over a week ago. It makes such a difference to get up in the morning and see the sun in the sky.

I took advantage of sunny weather and went to the park with my grandson Archie. We fed the ducks, played ball on the field, had a dance on the bandstand and watched the ongoing building of the new children's playground. Archie was enthralled with watching the digger load the dumper truck with soil and then seeing it tipped into a hole, slowly filling it up. I do have to say though, he was disappointed that all the puddles had dried up.

The weather was so good, we even had a picnic lunch in the park. We bought the food from the park cafe and sat on a park bench to eat it. It was very yummy indeed. Never thought we would be doing that on a crisp November day.

But the best was yet to come. When the sun is shining one, there is one thing that has to be done. It doesn't matter whether it is spring, summer, autumn or winter one just has to have an ice cream

It was great to see so many people out and about enjoying the sunshine. The trees were in full autumn glow. The orange, brown, yellow and bronze colour of the leaves reminded me of the flames of the coal fire in my childhood days. The leaves carpeting the ground reminded, of walking to school and trudging through the dry crisp leaves and hearing them crunch underfoot.  

Deciduous trees will always shed their leaves in Autumn The trees have to let their leaves fall so that come spring, new growth can take place. Sometimes we also need to let go, let go of whatever it is that is preventing our growth spiritually. There is only one way to do this and that is to take it to the Lord in prayer. Who knows what new growth this may lead to.