“And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, til it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew 2: 9-11
This Sunday (10 January), as restrictions continue across Scotland, Christians across the country will join together in prayer at 7pm in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
As with previous weeks during lockdown and the phased easing of restrictions, 14 Christian churches and organisations across the country, including the Church of Scotland, have co-signed the letter calling for prayer.
Scottish Christians have been continuing to answer the call to pray at the same time each week, and Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, has been taking part alongside them.
“I’m delighted to have read that in the last couple of months online searches for ‘prayer’ have increased dramatically,” Dr Fair said.
“But reading about what prayer is and how to do it is only the start of it. After that it’s time to actually pray.
“And what better than to join with brothers and sisters from across the nation at 7pm on Sunday to pray our way through this ongoing crisis. I commend it to you and look forward to being with you, in Spirit, on Sunday evening.”
As we journey into the year to come, we find ourselves once more in a desert place and in that place there are many who are deeply uncertain as to what the year will bring.
“At this time, there are many who feel locked out of the pattern that has previously shaped their lives and the absence of that pattern can be profoundly unsettling.
“Yet even in the most uncertain of times, there are moments of discovery, and rediscovery, where we are shaped by a new pattern.
“As this takes place, we are renewed and affirmed as those who are made in the image of God.
“The Gospel of Mark opens by taking us to a desert place and in that desert place there takes place a renewal signified in baptism which marks the beginning of new life.
“Indeed, Jesus Christ himself comes to the waters of the River Jordan to be baptised.
“As he does so, he hears the words of affirmation: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ (Mark 1: 4-11) In our own desert place, may we find renewal, affirmation and the living presence of God.”
Living God,
Be with us in the desert place
And renew us as those who are made in your image.
Hear us as we call to you
And answer our cry.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Be with us in the desert place
And meet us in the place of suffering.
Hear us as we call to you
And bring healing to the broken.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Be with us in the desert place
And come beside those who are sorrowing.
Hear us as we call to you
And have compassion upon us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Be with us in the desert place
And lead us to the places of discovery and rediscovery.
Hear us as we call to you
And reshape the pattern of our lives.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
Be with us in the desert place
And may we know that Christ is with us.
Hear us as we call to you
And lead us to the place where we hear your word of affirmation.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
You will be aware that the Presbytery of Lanark and Hamilton are working to create a new Presbytery within the context of the overall Presbytery reform process within the Church of Scotland.
The steering group have organised a conference session to hear from two speakers and have a time listening to one another about hopes, fears and possibilities. The one thing that needs stated is that the new Presbytery will not simply be a larger version of what we currently have! This is the opportunity to create something new, exciting, missional and responsive to the needs of our communities.
At the conference we will be hearing from Rev Dr Doug Gay (author of ‘Reforming the Kirk’) and Rev Alec Shuttleworth who is a parish minister and Convener of the new Fife Presbytery Transition Group who have created a brand new structure with the previous presbyteries of Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and St. Andrew’s.
The conference will take place on Wednesday 13th January 2021 at 7pm. As with most things right now, this will be online! Everyone needs to register their attendance and I would be grateful if you could do so via this link https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsce-qrDIpGtwv_BAvKwgZoGWhbS7ZGqax.
Within the two Presbyteries, we are hoping for wide engagement. It is vital that you book your place via the link so that we might have as many as possible participate in this discussion. The agenda and connection details will be sent out early next week.
Prayer for Strength
Father in heaven, I stand before You today in Your omnipotent presence to ask that You grant me strength. I want You to give me the strength to power through all of the tasks today — whether little or big. It is by Your will that I live oh Lord. And I know it is also by Your will I will not go weak today. I will not go lazy nor will I will fail to do all things set before me because You strengthen me. Thank You for Your everlasting presence Lord and in Jesus’ name, I pray.Amen.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 