St James' Church of Scotland, Lossiemouth

For Christ, For You

Lossiemouth Church of Scotland

Prospect Terrace, Lossiemouth, Moray IV31 6JS.

The Union of the former Parishes of St. Gerardine's High Church and St. James' Church

Minister: Rev. Geoff McKee.

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You are here: Home / Sermons / What is the Golden Rule for Christians?

What is the Golden Rule for Christians?

October 15, 2023 by 2

Sunday 15 October 2023 is the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost.

Today’s main Bible reading (from the second Book of the Old Testament, Exodus) tells the story of how the Israelites turned away from God to worship a Golden Calf they had made. Rev. Geoff McKee discusses how we can prevent ourselves falling into the many forms of “idolatry” – of which the Golden Calf is only one example – and the part the “Golden Rule” plays in that.

Main Bible Scripture Reading for today

Exodus 32:1-14 (from The Message Bible Translation)
“Make Gods for Us”
32 When the people realised that Moses was taking forever in coming down off the mountain, they rallied around Aaron and said, “Do something. Make gods for us who will lead us. That Moses, the man who got us out of Egypt—who knows what’s happened to him?”

2-4 So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters and bring them to me.” They all did it; they removed the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from their hands and cast it in the form of a calf, shaping it with an engraving tool.

The people responded with enthusiasm: “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up from Egypt!”

5 Aaron, taking in the situation, built an altar before the calf.

Aaron then announced, “Tomorrow is a feast day to God!”

6 Early the next morning, the people got up and offered Whole-Burnt-Offerings and brought Peace-Offerings. The people sat down to eat and drink and then began to party. It turned into a wild party!

7-8 God spoke to Moses, “Go! Get down there! Your people whom you brought up from the land of Egypt have fallen to pieces. In no time at all they’ve turned away from the way I commanded them: They made a molten calf and worshipped it. They’ve sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are the gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt!’”

9-10 God said to Moses, “I look at this people—oh! what a stubborn, hard-headed people! Let me alone now, give my anger free reign to burst into flames and incinerate them. But I’ll make a great nation out of you.”

11-13 Moses tried to calm his God down. He said, “Why, God, would you lose your temper with your people? Why, you brought them out of Egypt in a tremendous demonstration of power and strength. Why let the Egyptians say, ‘He had it in for them—he brought them out so he could kill them in the mountains, wipe them right off the face of the Earth.’ Stop your anger. Think twice about bringing evil against your people! Think of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants to whom you gave your word, telling them ‘I will give you many children, as many as the stars in the sky, and I’ll give this land to your children as their land forever.’”

14 And God did think twice. He decided not to do the evil he had threatened against his people.

Video recording of today’s service from St. James’

The Golden Rule – to do to others what you would have them do to you – finds expression in actively promoting justice; offering comfort and consolation; and showing the love of God.

REV. GEOFF MCKEE

Header and post image by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

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Happy Easter - He is Risen!

Holy Week Services in Lossiemouth Area Churches of Scotland 2025

April 8, 2025 By 2

Happy Easter from Lossiemouth Area Church of Scotland Churches.

Palm Sunday (Sunday 13th April)

10.30am: Palm Sunday Service, Lossiemouth Church of Scotland.

10.30am: Palm Sunday Service, Spynie Kirk.

2.30pm Palm Sunday Procession (Meet in Station Car Park, Lossiemouth, for procession to Lossiemouth Church of Scotland).

3pm: Palm Sunday Praise, Lossiemouth Church of Scotland.



Maundy Thursday (Thursday 17th April):


7pm: Maundy Thursday Service (Holy Communion), Lossiemouth Church of Scotland



Good Friday (Friday 18th April):


7pm: Good Friday Service, Spynie Kirk


Easter Sunday (Sunday 20th April)


5.30am: Easter Sunday Sunrise service, East Beach, Lossiemouth (followed by bacon rolls in Church Hall, Lossiemouth Church of Scotland)

7.30am: Service at St.Peter’s Kirk, Duffus.

10.30am: Easter Sunday Service, Lossiemouth Church of Scotland

10.30am: Easter Sunday Service (all-age worship), Hopeman Kirk

All are welcome!

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