St James' Church of Scotland, Lossiemouth
For Christ, For You
Sunday 15 December 2024 is the Third Sunday of Advent.
So far, during this Season of Advent, we have lit the candles of Hope, Peace and, today, Joy. These elements stand individually but are, crucially, stronger together.
This is how the Church works too. God knows and loves us all individually but the Church is a collective.
Rev. Christine McWhirter discusses this across today’s service and touches on the theme in both her All-Age address and the sermon.
Sunday 08 December 2024 is the Second Sunday in Advent.
The main theme for this Sunday in Advent is “Peace”. We light our second Advent candle.
Today’s service is led by Rev. Anne-Marie Simpson.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, in the Church, we often talk about people called “Prophets”.
Prophets were people who God spoke to directly. God gave them a message and then wanted the Prophet to take the message to the people – so that the people would know what God wanted them to do.
BUT – the people did not normally want to hear God’s message. And the people were often very nasty to the Prophets.
Sometimes, that’s because the people were scared by the message relayed to them by the Prophets. On other occasions, the people were angry at being criticised for their “bad behaviour”. At other times, the people did not believe the Prophet’s message – to the extent that they would laugh at the message apparently sent from God.
Most of the time, being a Prophet was a pretty awful job. They would carry out God’s will because it was God who was asking them – but, even then, sometimes God had to force the Prophet to do what God wanted.
One bit of news that various Prophets brought to the people over and over again was that God would send a Saviour.
For example, from today’s Lectionary:
The Master You’ve Been Looking For
3 “Look! I’m sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you’ve been looking for will enter his Temple—yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you’ve been waiting for. Look! He’s on his way!” A Message from the mouth of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
2-4 But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance?
He’ll be like white-hot fire from the smelter’s furnace. He’ll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He’ll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He’ll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they’re fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago.
In other words, the fact that Jesus was long-awaited and long-foretold.
When Jesus arrived, he did not behave as the people had anticipated (i.e. as a great warrior who would sweep all enemies aside). Instead, he came to heal the rift between God and his people and make us right with God again. God wanted to show through Jesus that God’s Kingdom was indeed “at hand”.
The all-age address in the service begins here.
The main sermon begins here.
01 December 2024 is the First Sunday of Advent.
In Christian communities the world over, Advent refers to a four-week season of remembering and celebrating the arrival of Jesus on Earth. This is the period leading up to Christmas.
Essentially, it is also the first Sunday of a new Church year. The First Sunday of Advent symbolises “Hope”. With the lighting of the “Prophet’s Candle”, we are reminded that Jesus is coming.
The main reading for today is from one of the several Old Testament prophets – in this case, Jeremiah – who foretold that a Messiah would be sent to save the world. The prediction is framed in terms that God “will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety.” (NIV)
Rev. Geoff McKee’s sermon is based on the Jeremiah text – see further, below, for the video of the service and the sermon.
Jeremiah 33:14-18 (from The Message Bible Translation)
A Fresh and True Shoot from the David-Tree
14-18 “‘Watch for this: The time is coming’—God’s Decree—‘when I will keep the promise I made to the families of Israel and Judah. When that time comes, I will make a fresh and true shoot sprout from the David-Tree. He will run this country honestly and fairly. He will set things right. That’s when Judah will be secure and Jerusalem live in safety. The motto for the city will be, “God Has Set Things Right for Us.” God has made it clear that there will always be a descendant of David ruling the people of Israel and that there will always be Levitical priests on hand to offer burnt offerings, present grain offerings, and carry on the sacrificial worship in my honour.’”
The Lossie Singers will perform an Autumn Concert in the Church (Lossiemouth Church of Scotland, formerly St. James’ Church) – Prospect Terrace, Lossiemouth – at 2.30pm on Sunday, 06 October 2024.
Tickets priced £8.00 (refreshments included) are available from “Unique”, Clifton Road, Lossiemouth (close to the War Memorial) or at the door.
The programme is varied and wide-ranging and we hope to see you there.
