Dear all
This Sunday, we continue our Advent theme of waiting. Our readings bring out three different themes of waiting for the Kingdom of God. In our Gospel reading, we hear how doubt had crept into the mind of John the Baptist as he waited in prison. Yet Jesus told him to look for the signs of the Kingdom all around. In our Old Testament reading, the prophet Isaiah gives the people a message of hope. He paints a picture of healing that goes beyond people and through all creation. In our New Testament reading, James tells his readers to be patient. But this is not an idle or inactive patience. It is the patience of the prophets, who continued to challenge injustice and oppression, despite the Kingdom of God seeming as far away as ever.
We have several opportunities to reflect further on this on Sunday. In addition to the normal 8am Holy Communion service at All Saints and 10am Holy Communion service at St Mary’s, there will be a Service of the Word at All Saints at 10.30am. This service will be held in the link, while Junior Church rehearse the Nativity in the church. The Nativity will be in the afternoon at 4.30pm. this gives the following services for this Sunday:
08:00am | Holy Communion (said) | All Saints |
10:00am | Holy Communion | St Marys |
10:30am | Service of the Word | All Saints (Link Room) |
​ | Nativity Practice | All Saints (Church) |
4:30pm | Nativity Service | All Saints |
This week we have our normal mid-week services with Celtic Morning Prayer at All Saints on Wednesday and Holy Communion at St Mary’s on Wednesday. Next Sunday at St Mary’s we have the Guides Toy Service in the morning and Carols by Candlelight in the evening. With Holy Communion at All Saints in the morning, the services for the coming week are as follows:
Weds 14th | 9.00am | Celtic Morning Prayer | All Saints |
Thurs 15th | 10:00am | Holy Communion | St Marys |
Sun 18th | 10:00am | St Mary's Guides Toy Service | St Marys |
​ | 10:30am | Holy Communion | All Saints |
​ | 6:30pm | Carols By Candlelight | St Marys |
And as we wait, this Advent, let us look for the signs of the Kingdom of God all around us. Let us plant seeds of love and pray that, though they might be as tiny as a mustard seed, God may make them grow into something large and strong. Let us work with the patience of the prophets for God’s truth and justice, trusting that God will act in his own time.
Yours in Christ
Mark
Mark Simms Licensed Lay Minister Benefice of All Saints and St Mary, Fishponds