Laich of Moray Parish Church (formerly Lossiemouth Church of Scotland)

26th July 2020 is the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost and this week continues our journey through the Book of Genesis.

Today’s it’s the story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah. As we’ve already seen, Jacob is a self-seeking schemer. Nevertheless, he seems to be favoured by God.

But things do not work out as he hopes here – in his quest to win the hand in marriage of Rachel. Instead, he gets his comeuppance. Is it retribution for deceiving his elder brother, Esau, out of his inheritance?

Schadenfreude – joy in someone else’s misfortune. It’s a German word. Some have said there is no equivalent word in English because there is no such feeling in the English-speaking world. Oh, really?

Read Genesis 29:15-28 (a wee bit further down this page) and see if you can avoid smiling at Jacob’s difficulties.

Below you will find today’s prayers, scripture readings, musical selection and Rev. Geoff McKee’s audio sermon.

19 July 2020 is the 7th Sunday after Pentecost and Rev. Geoff McKee continues his series of sermons from the Book of Genesis.

Today it’s the story of Jacob’s Dream.

Geoff draws our attention to some aspects of this story which might inform our understanding of significant places in relation to our worship of God. It also has relevance to God’s attitude towards the displaced – whether physically or spiritually – as compared to those in more comfortable or apparently powerful circumstances.

Below, you’ll find the Lectionary Scriptures for this week including Genesis 28:10-19. Also, prayers, Geoff’s audio sermon and a musical selection from Kath Robertson, Musical Director at St James’ Church.

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’.

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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