10.30 am Zoom service of Holy Communion

Meeting ID: 817 3949 3964
Passcode: 112502

Advent Sunday - the start of the church's year and a time to reflect on and prepare for the light of Christ that is coming into the world - never more needed than now
This Sunday is Advent Sunday:  the season of looking forward with expectation and hope for Christ’s coming.  Advent will be a particularly poignant season this year as we continue to live with the coronavirus and the restrictions that arise from it.  In the short term, we face frustration and uncertainty – not able to gather and celebrate in the way we would like – and yet the wonderful breakthroughs with vaccines offer a way for the virus to release its grip on us. Darkness and light, hopelessness and hope:  it’s all so very real this year. 

During lockdown we have been gathering online to pray twice a week, bringing before God the pandemic and its impact on our neighbours and ourselves.  It’s been good to offer this time to God knowing that he hears the cry of our hearts.  This will be the final week of gathering to do this on Tuesday morning and Thursday evening.

In Advent, we mark the passing of time with the lighting of the Advent Candles.  It is a reminder that all time, all eternity is held in God’s hand. Our prayer and worship can lift us out of the frustrations of the present moment into the bigger picture of God’s eternity, where light and love is all in all. 

We all need to look after ourselves at this time, as we have all been subject to stress over many months.  By entering into the gentle rhythms of the Christian year during Advent we can find a source of divine solace and comfort.