Lossiemouth Church of Scotland

Here is the virtual service for 12 July 2020 – the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost.

The main reading comes from Genesis 25:19-34. Rev. Geoff McKee continues his series of studies from the Book of Genesis.

This week it’s the story of Jacob and Esau.

Esau gives up his inheritance rights as first-born to his brother, Jacob, in return for a bowl of stew.

Did Jacob act on the spur of the moment to gain this advantage or did he – or God – have a plan all along? The story raises questions about freewill as against predestination.

It also provides a stark contrast to Jesus’ example to us as someone who himself had a birthright but chose not to give it up in the face of temptation.

Below, you will find the 4 Lectionary scriptures for this week, prayers, Geoff’s audio sermon and a musical selection from Katherine Robertson, musical director at St James’.

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For the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (05 July 2020), Rev. Geoff McKee concentrates again on a reading from Genesis. This time from the ‘big’ Chapter 24.

Abraham’s servant’s quest for a wife (Rebekah) for Abraham’s son, Isaac, is a prime example for us – an example of faithful living. Geoff discusses the characters of Isaac and Rebekah, as well as that of the unnamed servant. He also discusses what the story tells us about the nature of marriage and the significance of the phrase: ‘This thing comes from the Lord’.

Below, you will find the Scriptures, prayers, the audio sermon and a musical selection.

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We have reached the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (28 June 2020) and we continue with principal readings from the Book of Genesis.

Today’s story is about how Abraham almost sacrificed his son, Isaac.

Rev. Geoff McKee offers some thoughts which are close to the relational core of this well-known tale and reflects on what it reveals about Abraham and the implications for future people of faith.

The four lectionary readings for this week are below, together with prayers, a musical choice and Geoff’s audio sermon.

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For 21 June 2020, the Third Sunday after Pentecost. Rev. Geoff McKee’s main Scripture comes again from Genesis.

It’s the story of Hagar and Ishmael.

Hagar was Abraham’s concubine and the mother of his son, Ishmael. Bought as a slave, in Egypt, she served as a maid to Abraham’s (at that time) childless wife, Sarah, who gave her to Abraham to provide an heir.

By the time of ‘today’s’ events, Sarah had given birth to a son, Isaac (as we discussed last week).

The story is not a happy one for Hagar and Ishmael, on the face of it. The lessons for us include our capacity to endure and persevere, as well as our ability to express feelings of hardship.

The Scriptures this week are Genesis 21:8-21 (Hagar and Ishnael), Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17,
Romans 6:1b-11, and Matthew 10:24-39, all set out below. There are prayers and a musical selection. Rev. McKee’s sermon is presented in audio format.

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14 June 2020 is the Second Sunday after Pentecost. Rev. Geoff McKee starts a series based on texts from Genesis.

Today’s story is about the visit of 3 strangers to the elderly Abraham and Sarah – and the ‘hilarious’ news they brought.

Sarah and Abraham may have failed in believing the wonderful, seemingly impossible, news from God but they did not fail in showing hospitality to their guests.

As Geoff explains, in a world of anti-immigrant sentiment, Christians must remember that, if we neglect our fellowship with the stranger, we are in danger of leaving God outside too. Openness to providing hospitality is essential.

Continue reading for all the Scriptures from the Lectionary for this week, prayers, a musical selection and Geoff’s audio sermon.

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