Lord our God, our light and our life, in our longing to live by your Word we lift our eyes to you. Let your Word come into our hearts. Let your Word help us to understand our lives and our time, so that we can recognize your leading in everything and gather courage every day in spite of our weakness, sins, and faults. We can still find joy, for your kingdom is coming. We can feel that you are among us, however great the anguish of these times. Let the light of Jesus Christ shine out; let your Spirit of peace and grace come to all nations so that your will may be done. Free people from all their confusion. Release them from their bondage. Make them free for what is good, true, and eternal. May your name be praised among us today and forevermore. Amen.
Our Christmas Eve Nativity Service takes place online this year via this website, Facebook and YouTube. Use whatever website/link works best for you!
Our Young Church have been busy this year with this online presentation of the Nativity and it does not disappoint. They’ve had to be imaginative as it all had to be recorded individually at home, then sent in, then edited, then all stitched together into this 50minute service of drama, readings and songs.
We must thank Robyn and Emily Aitken who were the co-writers and co-producers this year. Girls, you have done a wonderful job, keeping the Nativity special, but in bringing it right up to date for 2020!
Although we are in our homes, we have creatively retold the story of the Birth of Christ in a virtual setting, with participants from all parts of our Church Family.
Rev Mike Goss of Barry and Carnoustie Churches is appealing to individuals and families across the country to gather in front of their homes for “Doorstep Carols” on the 20th of December at 6pm and ensure it is anything but a Silent Night.
He said traditional door to door caroling was clearly not possible due to COVID-19 restrictions but filling the streets with the joyful sound of classics like ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’, Away in a Manger and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ will send out a strong message that Christmas is “not cancelled”.
The event, which features five carols should last approximately 15 minutes, and would serve as a “beacon of light in the darkness” and provide hope for the future.
As the season of Advent continues, Christians across the country – and further afield – will once more join together in prayer at 7pm in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As with previous weeks during lockdown, 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.
“There are some things which make sense for a certain period of time but which come to a natural conclusion – such as clapping for carers during the spring lockdown. Prayer isn’t one of them,” Dr Fair said.
“The Apostle Paul encourages us to ‘pray without ceasing’ and Jesus himself offers parables where persistence in prayer is lauded.
“It can be hard to keep going when there’s no end in sight; much easier when the finishing line comes into view. In the case of the pandemic, it still feels as if there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.
“All the more reason then for God’s people to continue faithfully in prayer. And even better when we can pray across the whole of the Church, unrestricted by denominational divides.
“If Sunday at 7pm is in your diary, keep it there. Thank you. If it hadn’t been, it would be great to have you involved. It matters that we pray.”
Scottish Christians join in prayer on third Sunday of Advent
Published on10 December 2020
This Sunday (13 December), as the season of Advent continues, Christians across the country – and further afield – will once more join together in prayer at 7pm in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As with previous weeks during lockdown, 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.
“There are some things which make sense for a certain period of time but which come to a natural conclusion – such as clapping for carers during the spring lockdown. Prayer isn’t one of them,” Dr Fair said.
“The Apostle Paul encourages us to ‘pray without ceasing’ and Jesus himself offers parables where persistence in prayer is lauded.
“It can be hard to keep going when there’s no end in sight; much easier when the finishing line comes into view. In the case of the pandemic, it still feels as if there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.
“All the more reason then for God’s people to continue faithfully in prayer. And even better when we can pray across the whole of the Church, unrestricted by denominational divides.
“If Sunday at 7pm is in your diary, keep it there. Thank you. If it hadn’t been, it would be great to have you involved. It matters that we pray.”https://www.youtube.com/embed/B7cZ3dvFjNE
“At this time, we find ourselves deeply conscious of the challenges that we still face and yet also of the hope that lies on the horizon. It is as if we have journeyed through a time of darkness and deep uncertainty with no seeming end in sight. Then, even as darkness seemed set to engulf us once more, a light has dawned and has brought hope to the world and to the community of all peoples.
“In the past we have prayed:
Lord, we pray for scientists and researchers; For those seeking to understand the challenge we face; For those creating potential vaccines; For those advising decision-makers. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
“Notwithstanding the challenges we still face, we give thanks to God for those who have created the vaccines that have the potential to restore life to the communities of which we are all a part.
“As we continue on in our Advent journey, we hear of a witness who has come ‘to testify to the light’. The light is not yet with us but the messenger comes to bear witness to the ‘true light’ of God that will soon break into our world (John 1: 6-9). Even now, the light breaks on the horizon for the light of God is coming into our world once more.”
We pray:
Lord, we are your people who have journeyed in darkness And who long to see your light once more. We are those who have journeyed through hard times And who long to see life and community renewed. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Lord, we give thanks for scientists and researchers And for those who have created the vaccines that give hope to the world. We pray for the just sharing of these precious gifts And for the renewal of life in every nation. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Lord, we are those who journey on Towards the horizon where light shall surely break. We journey in times where we are distanced And trust that in time the distance shall be overcome. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Lord, we pray for those who care for the living And for the dying. We pray for the bereaved and for the bereft And ask that you would draw near to them in your compassion. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Lord, we are those who have heard Of the true light that is coming into the world. We ask that we might become your messengers And bear witness to Jesus Christ, the light of God that is to come. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 