Covid-19 

Dear Friends
Another week has passed on our Advent journey towards Christmas and unfortunately this has been another challenging time. The coronavirus new case rate in many areas has increased and sadly a new and more transmissible strain of the virus has been identified in London and the South East. Due to this many areas have been placed into further restrictions now called Tier 4. Due to increasing numbers of new infections in Wales and Northern Ireland lockdown measures will come into force in these areas from tonight. Many of you will have heard the announcement this evening from the Prime Minister that in view of the concerning national position, the easing of restrictions over the Christmas period have been amended and sadly now many will be unable to meet with family and friends and for some this will be restricted to only Christmas Day. These announcements may make us feel downhearted and anxious and could for some take the magic out of the Christmas period. As Christians we need to focus on the hope offered by the Lord and use our thoughts and prayers to help address the situation and remember that nothing is impossible with God.
Advent provides us with that hope as we focus on the light of the World as we approach Christmas Day. At this time more than ever the World needs hope and we have an opportunity to share our hope and faith and the joy of the Christmas message by sharing with others. This Sunday at 5.30pm Premier Christian Radio are organising an opportunity for us to sing carols on our doorsteps and remind our neighbours of the real meaning of Christmas. You can join in by selecting Premier on your DAB radio or downloading their phone app or select Freeview channel 725 on your TV. You may need to have the music loud enough to stand on your doorstep and sing loudly! You could wear a festive jumper in an attempt to share some Christmas cheer.
On our fourth Sunday in Advent we focus this week on the reading from Luke Chapter 1 v26-38 and this is the familiar story where the angel Gabriel is sent to Mary, a virgin, to share the good news that she is to have a baby and will call him Jesus. Luke was a powerful and animated writer who would have been influenced by both the Hebrew and Greek ancestors. He writes a story of Good News and in a few verses builds the account with a well-crafted introduction, middle, climax and conclusion. The account commences with the angel Gabriel sent to a young women Mary in Nazareth. Mary is told that she is favoured by God and that God is with her. This greeting and the announcement of her pregnancy comes as a great surprise and as result Mary is troubled and ponders on the message and the implications for the future. The angel Gabriel never stops to ask the question of whether Mary is willing to accept the call, privilege, joy and sorrow of being the mother of Jesus. Luke’s gospel describes the response from Mary who in a clear and practical way asks “how can this be”. The angel tells her that the Hold Spirit would be at work and that she should investigate what was happening to her cousin Elizabeth who would also bear a child.
Despite the fear, anxiety, wonder and amazement Mary responds with “Behold I am the Lord’s servant.. may it be done” (v38) This response is grounded in her intimate and humble relationship with her God. These words demonstrate the spiritual life of prayer and relationship that Mary has with God and shows her wisdom and courage to enter into the ways that God wants for her life. She is clear that the spirit will lead her and will not abandon her. As we focus on the reading it reminds us of the facts of Mary’s life (v26-28), the fear in Mary’s heart (v29-30), the wonder in Mary’s mind (v31-34) and then the submission in Mary’s spirit (v35-38). As a teenager Mary faced misunderstanding and rejection from her family, her betrothed and her friends. She has no idea what the future may hold but she does not delay, she does not question she stands firm in her trust as the Lord’s servant. Imagine the turmoil in her soul to come to this place of submission. Mary obeyed to make way for this King. She could have taken the easy way and avoided the difficulty and pain but she stood firm in her faith “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” The reading reminds us that we should take notice with our hearts and minds that God is with us but that we should be curious and ask questions about how we can best work for Him. It asks us to ponder how God is offering wild possibilities for us and how God is inviting us to join the ongoing story of wonder where his Joy ultimately reigns. It calls us the be servants of the Lord.
You can join with friends from the Church and Circuit by joining the weekly Zoom Service at 11.30am each Sunday morning (by either computer or telephone) using the links below.
Topic: Sunday Service 11.30 am
Time: This is a recurring meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4775422768
or just click here.
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768 (No password is required)
Dial by your location
0203 481 5237
0203 481 5240
0203 901 7895
0131 460 1196
0203 051 2874
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768
We also have a telephone service each week using WhyPay at 10.00am on Sunday morning.
If you wish to join this the number is 0333 0110 946 and the Room Number is 47927697# and the Pin is 1145#
Please do continue if you are able to pray at 6.00pm each evening and join with others from our Church so that we can unite in the power of prayer.
Please pray for those on our prayer list.  
Barry, Linda and family
Ashley, Debbie and family
Frank, Sandra, Rosemary and families
Ken & Pat
Malcolm, Anne and family
Paul and Moira
Val
Arthur
Eileen and Carl
Rev Alex
Don
Margaret B
Alan
Doreen
Pat
Jean
Beaulah
Alan and Heather
Linda and family
Pam
Carol, Dave and Logan
Janet, Steve and family
Les, Olga and family
Roy
Charles
You can find reflections and biblical stories on our Circuit YouTube channel including new material added weekly from Rev Linda, Rev Jeff and others at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBhbVptj0forVkUfmmsvd_w
or just click here.
Please continue to stay safe and know that you are surrounded by the love and prayers of your Church family.
With every blessing
Ian