Welcome to the online service of worship for the Third Sunday of Advent. The YouTube playlist may be found here. Or view below.....
MAYFIELD SALISBURY PARISH CHURCH
EDINBURGH
Sunday Services of Public Worship: 10.15am
Worship Online from 8.00am Every Sunday
Sunday 13 December 2020
Third Sunday of Advent
The race that long in darkness pined
has seen a glorious light;
The people dwell in day, who dwelt
in death’s surrounding night.
To us a Child of hope is born;
to us a Son is given;
him shall the tribes of earth obey,
him, all the hosts of heaven.
His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
for evermore adored;
The Wonderful, the Counsellor,
the great and mighty Lord.
His power increasing still shall spread,
his reign no end shall know:
justice shall guard his throne above,
and peace abound below.
Scottish Paraphrases 178 Isaiah 9: 2 - 7
AS A DIVERSE PEOPLE, THE CHURCH GATHERS TO WORSHIP ALMIGHTY GOD
Welcome The Revd Helen Alexander
Welcome to the members and friends of the congregation of Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church and to others who may be joining us in our worship online for the 3nd Sunday in Advent.
In his poem entitled Advent, the Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh wrote this memorable line: “Through a chink too wide there comes in no wonder.”
A chink too wide. That’s arresting, for we think of chinks as narrow and slight. But
Kavanagh goes on to make clear that he’s thinking how we can get so used to the ordinariness of things that we lose the newness of a child’s take on the wonder of life and the capacity to look at simple things with the richness of new discovery. And so he longs for the day when “life pours ordinary plenty……And Christ comes with a January flower.”
We might long for next year too, freed we trust from the threat of a deadly virus, and able to enjoy something ordinary yet truly wonderful like a simple lunch without worry in the company of friends. May we look forward in hope to things like this, even as we wait in this season of Advent and in the strange, provocative challenge of our times.
I invite you all to join me now in a short period of silence in preparation for worship.
Silence
Scripture Sentences
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Ask and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Let us pray
Stilling our hearts as we are taught to still them, seeking to slow the rhythm of our breath to make space for the presence of God; listening first rather than tumbling noisily into words; making a place for the still, small voice of forgiveness, comfort, healing, sanity and peace;
Opening ourselves to the light of God: allowing it to shine into the dusty and neglected corners of our hearts; illuminating minds that may be shuttered against the reality of our need or the need of those around us; stirring the ashes of guilty remembrance or regret, and kindling the flame of hope and new beginnings for lives that may be deadened by grief and loss, or all manner of unhappy circumstance;
Opening the floodgates and letting the water of life flow in and through us: baptizing us with renewed faith and grace; quenching our thirst for recovery and opportunity; enlivening lost spirit and enabling the ripples of life to sound in our hearts.
Eternal Father and Mother of all, receive our prayers of grief or pain and quiet hopeful joy, and work your gracious wonder in and through them. Enfold us as beloved children to your breast, that in this season, whatever our situation the flame of love may be kindled in our hearts, the gift of grace be ours, and the presence of peace.
Collect for the Day
God of power and mercy, who calls us once again to celebrate the coming of your Son, remove those things that hinder our love, that when he comes he may find us waiting in awe and wonder for him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever.
Children’s Address Hillary Leslie
Good morning everyone! I decided to put on my Christmas jumper this morning because it feels like Christmas Day is right around the corner. I hope you’ve all been having a really enjoyable Christmas season preparing for Jesus’ birthday!
The last two weeks we have been talking about ‘Advent’ which I’m sure you will remember comes from a Latin word which means ‘coming.’ The season of Advent is a journey of faith that brings us to Christmas Day. What is a journey? That’s right – a journey is when you travel from one place to another.
A few years ago, I was lucky enough to spend a long weekend at a retreat centre called ‘Ghost Ranch’ in New Mexico. The retreat centre was set in the desert, and at night-time the sky was full of glittering stars. It was so remote that you could even see the Milky Way! I was completely in awe of the beauty all around me.
One night I decided to go for a walk with two of my friends down to the stone labyrinth which was on the camp site. Does anyone know what a labyrinth is? That’s right, it’s a maze! It’s not a straightforward path, but one that winds and takes unexpected turns and sometimes you can accidentally pick the wrong path and meet a dead end!
A labyrinth like this one is often something that is used in the Christian faith, and other faiths, to help us focus on our journey with God as we walk the labyrinth and make our way to the centre of the circle.
This labyrinth wasn’t very big but walking the labyrinth in the darkness was a lot more challenging than I realised it would be. I found at the start I was following in Luke and Emma’s footsteps, but eventually I reached a point where I could no longer see where they went. I had to rely on my other senses, trusting and confident that my feet would find their way to the centre of the maze as long as they focused on what I was doing, unafraid of making mistakes. Even though I was really wanting some light to help me find my way, I learned to trust in the darkness. God was with me in the darkness.
In our Christmas story before Jesus is born, Mary and Joseph are traveling to Bethlehem. We don’t know exactly how difficult it was for them, or the specific challenges they faced, but we can imagine that they often found themselves traveling in the darkness quite a few times. Throughout all of the challenges, and the many miles of walking they did, they trusted God with each step. Whether they were wandering in the daytime or in the darkness of night, they never gave up hope in God.
During this time leading up to Christmas Day, may we learn to trust that God is with us in every step of our journey – whether we find ourselves in the happy light of day or the challenges of darkness.
Let’s pray together:
Dear God, you are within us, between us and all around us
Let us remember that you are always with us
In the light of day and the dark of night.
Help us share your love with others this Christmas
As we continue on our journey with you.
Amen.
HYMN 282 Christmas is coming!
'Christmas is coming!',
the Church is glad to sing,
and let the advent candles
brightly burn in a ring.
The first is for God's promise
to put the wrong things right,
and bring to earth's darkness
the hope of love and light.
The second for the prophets,
who said that Christ would come
with good news for many
and angry words for some.
The third is for the Baptist,
who cried, 'Prepare the way.
Be ready for Jesus,
today and every day.'
Sung by Susan White and Nick Springthorpe
John L. Bell (b.1949)
WE LISTEN FOR THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN SCRIPTURE
Reading Isaiah 61: 1 – 4, 8 – 11 NRSVA Burry Baxter
The Good News of Deliverance
61 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins,
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
8 For I the Lord love justice,
I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations,
and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge
that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.
Reading St John 1: 6 – 8, 19 – 28 NRSVA Kay McIntosh DCS
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
The Testimony of John the Baptist
19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ 21 And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ 22 Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ 23 He said,
‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
“Make straight the way of the Lord”’,
as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ 26 John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
Reflection Revd Helen Alexander
The Season of Advent is full of rich themes: waiting, attention, hope and more.
Advent also shines a light on some of the Biblical characters who play a supporting role in the early part of the drama of the life of Christ. One or two of these are rarely, or never heard of again like the parents of John the Baptist about whom St Luke writes: Elizabeth, and Zechariah the old priest who was struck dumb because of his disbelief that he would become a father, but who later burst out singing in gratitude for his son John with the beautiful words of what we call the Benedictus that begins: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them…..”
Also from St Luke we have the sympathetic, sensitive portrayal of Mary the mother of Jesus: the story of the angel Gabriel’s annunciation to her that’s traditionally remembered on the 4th Sunday of Advent, Mary’s visit to John’s mother Elizabeth whose ecstatic response almost matches her husband’s Benedictus, and Mary’s own Magnificat from the first word in Latin of her famous song: “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”
And then every three years as the Lectionary begins its coverage of Matthew’s Gospel, there’s the figure of Joseph to whom Mary is betrothed. Matthew portrays the somewhat shadowy adoptive father of Jesus as perceptive, honourable, quietly committed to his task of providing for his wife and child. After Luke’s story of the parents’ frantic search for the youthful Jesus who has lingered in the temple in Jerusalem, Joseph fades from the drama.
And so to John the Baptist, son of Elizabeth and Zechariah who bursts into the early pages of the Gospels, no longer a child of strange prophetic promise, but now making his distinctive adult presence felt in the desert drawing crowds, preaching and baptising.
Of all the characters in the drama of Advent John the Baptist stands out, having two Sundays of his own as the church treads the four weeks to the celebration of the Nativity.
John was clearly a significant figure for the early Christian assemblies. All four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and another John highlight his role as the forerunner of Christ.
There’s the association with the prophet Elijah, in the Baptist’s wild-man image, and mention of the leather belt around his waist, after the manner of the revered prophet of Ancient Israel. (1) At the time of Christ the return of the prophet Elijah was widely anticipated as the herald of the beginning of the longed-for reign of God. (2) When you add in the gruesome story of the beheading of the Baptist at the request of Herod’s wife that’s highlighted by Matthew and Mark in their Gospels and recognise that some people believed that John was later raised from the dead, it’s easy to see how the figures of Elijah and John could become merged in popular imagination, as the subjugated nation strained under the yoke of the Roman occupation and longed for the deliverance promised in the Scriptures.
Then there was the notion that Jesus himself might be John the Baptist raised from the dead. This belief features in the account of Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi as recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke when in answer to Jesus’ question about common notions of his identity the disciples confirm that some say he’s John the Baptist come to life, but Peter declares that he is the Christ.
Despite Peter’s confession and his status as leader of the church in Jerusalem in the early years of the first Century, some confusion about both Jesus’ and John’s identities would have continued to swirl around. It’s a great mistake to assume that all the uncertainty about Jesus was settled as soon as he’d made his resurrection appearances.
When we come to St John’s distinctive take on John the Baptist that we have in today’s Gospel, it’s clear that the fourth evangelist wants once and for all to banish all this confusion over identity. A striking feature of John’s account is the Baptist’s strong denial. He is not the prophet Elijah. He is not the Messiah. And however significant the baptism offered by John may have been for renewal for individuals or for the soul of the nation, this ritual was but a prelude to the real restorative baptism of the Spirit which would be enabled by Jesus alone. The Baptizer himself was not worthy to untie the thong of Christ’s sandal, a menial task normally performed by slaves. So he was even lower than a slave in society’s pecking order, if that were possible. As one commentator puts it “John is saying that he has no status compared with the coming one, and no rights, even to be a person with no rights in the New Israel of God.”
This might seem a tad over-the-top in self-abasement, but St John is making his central point. For him, as for all of the evangelists, Jesus is very much the main man, and John the Baptist while distinctive, merely the forerunner.
Merely…..?
I’ve asked myself this question as I’ve thought about our reading for today. John the Baptist has an important role in the drama: preparing the people of the day for the all-important ministry of Christ that neither he nor they could clearly understand, asking them to look into their hearts and to take the plunge so to speak in opening up to change, to anticipation, to the possibility of new beginnings. This is no mean task.
As the task of Mary the mother of Jesus was far from mean and unimportant. Yes – she has an idealised and largely silent role in the Gospels but since Jesus of Nazareth undoubtedly lived and died, then it’s sure and certain that he had a mother, even if the exact status of the father is left open to question. Mary would have had a mother’s mind and heart. Who knows the early influence she may have had on her enigmatic son, and who knows the pain and possibly the pride she carried in her heart until the end?
And so today, I invite you to reflect on the importance of the apparently insignificant secondary characters like Mary and Joseph and John the Baptist, and the many more who
came after them in the life of the church, including ourselves living here and now in the 21st Century.
I imagine that whatever our achievements the majority of us might consider ourselves relatively unimportant in the vast scheme of things. Yet, we all play a part in the necessary business of making the world go round. Most of us too have been, or are central in the life of others, thanks be to God, whether or not we find ourselves in a more or less supportive role in the life of a high-profile public personage. And people who do achieve public recognition often secretly or publically honour the importance of those who have stayed in the background, and yet helped and essentially sustained them.
In honouring the supportive cast around the early Jesus of Nazareth, may we honour those who support and sustain his church today, however they do so – not to mention those who freely give each one of us support and sustenance, to whom we may be for ever grateful.
1 - 2 Kings 1.8
2 - Malachi 4: 5 – 6
RESPONSE TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD WITHIN
Anthem O come, O come Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O come, thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
in ancient times didst give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe:
O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save,
and give them victory o’er the grave:
O come, thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery:
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight:
18th century, based on the ancient Advent Antiphons
Translated John Mason Neale (1818–1866)
Sung by the Mayfield Salisbury Chamber Singers
Thanksgiving and Intercession Revd Helen Alexander
For the coming of your kingdom
We pray in hope, O Lord.
And we pray in thanks for people whose presence in our lives and in the world makes us eternally grateful: quiet unassuming souls who remind us of the importance of constancy and devotion; unsung heroes who see what needs to be done and do it cheerfully and without fuss; people who go to work day by day in care homes and hospitals, schools and universities, factories and shops, often returning to care for children and older people at home; people who make us laugh and with whom we are prepared to cry; all who remind us of the wonder and goodness of life even in times of uncertainty and danger, and who give us confidence to pray in hope and even with the spirit of joy.
For the coming of your kingdom
We pray in hope, O Lord.
Giving thanks for all intimations of peace and hope and grace; for the power of poetry and story; for music and melody in our hearts if not on our tongues; and for all the pleasure and anticipation of this season, even in a time of Covid-19.
And praying for people whose lives will never be the same after this year: those who have lost friends and family members who remain beloved and dear; those who are sick and dying; people who may have recovered sufficiently to leave hospital but who struggle to regain their normal health and vitality; those whose jobs hang in the balance and people who have become unemployed and who fear they may now be unemployable; all those still trapped in their homes, or in a spiral of poverty, anxiety and despair. For all such we pray in hope and true concern.
For the coming of your kingdom
We pray in hope, O Lord.
Mindful of this nation, and praying for the Royal Family; for those we have elected to serve and lead us; for the continuing process of negotiation between the United Kingdom and the nations of the European Union; for the people of The United States of America and for their leaders and leaders-elect in these unprecedented times; remembering people in other lands enduring restlessness and uncertainty, the effects of fire and flood, upheaval and the devastating effects of war; and seeking peace for beleaguered nations, fractured communities and every sad and lonely heart.
For the coming of your kingdom
We pray in hope, O Lord.
Praying for the church of Jesus Christ as this holy Season advances; the community of Mayfield Salisbury and all others known and loved by people listening now; giving thanks for our membership of that vast company that prepares to celebrate, in myriad ways the coming of our Lord in great humility.
Remembering those who worship using other names, other traditions and creeds; giving thanks for all acknowledgement of the sacred in the lives of men and women throughout the world; and for those who profess no creed yet live lives dedicated to the good, to service, and to betterment of the world.
For the coming of your kingdom
We pray in hope, O Lord.
Thinking of those we know and love the best, who may be near us or far away but held within our hearts; wishing for all and for ourselves in relation to them, something of the growing wonder of this holy season; something of the calming, reconciling song of peace that even now may sound from heaven’s angels; something of the hope and promise of every child and every child-like heart; that some glory may be born in us and in our neighbours, and in our world; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
And drawn perhaps now to remember Advent and Christmas seasons of the past; and people who shared them with us whom we loved and lost, and love still; seeking solace and blessing in the Communion of Saints: that even as we rejoice in the anticipation of birth, we may also celebrate the promise and hope that
'Though lovers be lost love shall not;
And death shall have no dominion.'
For the coming of your kingdom
We pray in hope, O Lord.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
HYMN 286 Tell out my soul
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy Name, the Lord, the Mighty One.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and for evermore!
Played by Kate Pearson, sung by Stuart Mitchell
Based on the Magnificat from The New English Bible Words
(c) Timothy Dudley-Smith (b.1926) Africa
(c) Hope Publishing Company elsewhere
BENEDICTION Revd Helen Alexander
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Son of peace to you
And the blessing of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you all.
HYMN 825 Amen
Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen.
INTIMATIONS
YOUTH NEWS
Family Service on 20 December at 10.15am: This will be a special morning service for our families and young people which will have craft, music, prayers and time to reflect on Advent and Christmas together in the sanctuary. There will also be a few opportunities for our young people to help lead and take part in the service. While it won’t be the Christingle service from years’ past, it will have elements of the Christingle service we know and love, as well as some new traditions that we can cherish this year!
We’re very excited to see many of our families and young people together in the church to celebrate Christmas this year. Our young people and families will be getting priority booking for attending the Family Service. We hope to see you there!
Youth Group: Tonight at Youth Group is our Virtual Christmas Party! We will be playing some games and doing a few other fun activities. Wear a Christmas jumper if you have one! 6.30pm to 7.30pm for P6 - S1 and 7.30pm to 8.30pm for S2 - S6.
Youth Fundraiser: Our Youth Group is joining forces to fundraise for Social Bite over the months of November and December. Due to the current covid restrictions, we are unable to attend or host a sleep out this year, and instead will be setting our own individual or family challenges and goals. For more information please go to our Justgiving team page: Mayfield Salisbury Youth Team Page
PASTORAL CARE Do you now feel that you would like to have your own pastoral visitor? Or would you like someone to phone you over the winter months? Please get in touch with me and I will organise an appropriate match for you with one of our pastoral care team. Kay McIntosh. Email:
CHRISTIAN AID AT CHRISTMAS Do you remember the Christmas cards with personal greetings in your own handwriting that were shared around the congregation in previous years to benefit Christian Aid? Unfortunately, such a card isn’t possible this year because of Covid-19 restrictions. But instead, we’d like to offer you the chance to send your greetings in a different way which will, we think, look very festive and feel inclusive too!
All you do is compose a brief Christmas Greeting – preferably not more than ten or so words. It’s an opportunity to show concern for our neighbours in the wider community, known and unknown, as well as members of our congregation. Add your name if you wish, but no surnames please, for security reasons. Send your message to us, and we’ll transcribe it on to a cheerful red ribbon and attach it to the railings around the church over the festive season.
Groups such as housegroups may also like to have a ribbon so that passers-by can get a flavour of the many different activities which happen in our church. Either email your message to Kate O’Brien,
You may wish to combine your greetings with a contribution to Christian Aid’s Christmas Appeal, which focuses on the effects of the climate crisis on some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Donations can be made via the Christian Aid website at www.christianaid.org.uk or by telephone on 020 7523 2269.
And, why not send your loved ones a Christmas present with a difference? Choose from sponsoring an emergency shelter, clean water, cocoa saplings and many more options. Type ‘Christian Aid charity gifts’ into Google or your preferred search engine and follow the link - or phone 0333 555 2025 to request a paper copy of the catalogue.
We give thanks for every single contribution to Christian Aid over this past year. We look forward to receiving your messages to transcribe on to the red ribbons very soon – please feel free to send as many as you wish! The Christian Aid Committee
OFFERING The Church is very grateful to all those who continue to support it through their regular and one-off donations, now possible through standing order or the ‘give.net’ facility on the website give.net/20311853 So many members have kindly changed from Freewill Offering Envelopes to standing order that envelopes will not be distributed in future. Because of ongoing concerns regarding Covid19 it is not known when open plate offerings will recommence. If you wish to discuss the manner of your future offerings please feel free to contact me using the details shown on the last page of the Grapevine parish magazine. Hugh Somerville
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT MAYFIELD SALISBURY PARISH CHURCH
Sunday 20 December
Fourth Sunday of Advent - Hillary Leslie
8.00am onwards Online Worship: Website
8.00am onwards Phone Worship: Dial-a-Sermon
10.15am Family Service in the Sanctuary
Wednesday 23 December
Service of Readings and Carols - Revd Helen Alexander
7.30pm onwards Online Worship: Website
7.30pm onwards Phone Worship: Dial-a-Sermon
7.30pm Worship in the Sanctuary
Thursday 24th December
Reflection and Carols for Christmas Eve - Revd Helen Alexander
7.00pm onwards Online Worship **no service in the church**
7.00pm onwards Phone Worship: Dial-a-Sermon
Friday 25th December
Online Carols and Greetings from the Staff
8.00am onwards Online Worship: Website
8.00am onwards Phone Worship: Dial-a-Sermon
10.15am to 11.45am Sanctuary open for private prayer **prayers only**
Sunday 27th December
Service of Readings and Carols - Anne Mulligan DCS
8.00am onwards Online Worship: Website
8.00am onwards Phone Worship: Dial-a-Sermon
10.15am Morning Worship in the Sanctuary
THANK YOU! FROM FRIENDS OF WESM Thank you Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church Edinburgh for supporting WESM and our Wildlife Clubs!
As well as scientific research and support for National Parks, WESM works with school or community wildlife clubs, to offer ideas and assistance in carrying out fun and educational activities. The work continued, even during the virus lockdown.
In Blantyre WESM’s Environmental Education officer, Ausward Bonongwe and intern Clement Sellenje regularly visit the 350 plus clubs, offering support and monitoring the clubs’ tree nurseries.
In October alone they visited 21 tree nurseries and 29 other clubs. Unfortunately they found many of the trees had died during the national Coronavirus school shutdown, as staff/pupils were not allowed on site. So they’re now working with clubs to re-establish the nurseries. They gave presentations to eight communities on soil and water conservation and waste management, organised for 11 school clubs to visit a national park, met with local civic leaders on local environmental issues and supported local bee-keeping enterprises.
Your donation helps fund these activities, buying equipment, seeds and saplings for the future.
Visit www.wesmblantyre.com to find out more!
MIDWEEK PEACE AND PRAYERS
10.00am – 11.00am every Wednesday in the Sanctuary (not 23, 30 December or 6 January)
- Have you been considering visiting the sanctuary for Five Minutes’ Peace on a Wednesday evening but are deterred by the dark and the cold?
- Are you missing Tuesday Morning Prayers?
If so, then we have good news! Mayfield Salisbury are launching a new midweek daytime initiative which will combine these two activities! During the winter months, members of the congregation will have the opportunity to spend a time of silent prayer/meditation in the sanctuary during daylight hours and also participate in worship and fellowship in communal prayers led by our Pastoral Assistant Kay McIntosh.
- 10:00 - 10:30am Prayers led by Kay McIntosh
- 10:30 - 11:00am Sanctuary open for silent meditation and private prayer
If you wish to, please feel free to bring along your own bible and pew cushion. Come along for either or both this Wednesday.
THANK YOU FOR OUR PRESENCE AT THE SERVICES. The church will be open at 10.00 on Sunday mornings for those who have booked to come to the service.
Please note that there may be member(s) of the congregation who are exempt on health grounds from wearing a mask. If this applies to you, it would be helpful if you wear a lanyard or badge. If you would like to bring a cushion to place in your pew, please feel free to do so but do take it home with you.
At the close of the service, please remain in your place until stewards invite you to leave at the end of the closing voluntary, and maintain social distancing as you leave the church premises. If you wish to speak to Helen Alexander or Kay McIntosh, you are asked to indicate this as you pass. Helen will join you on the pavement once everyone else has left.
Booking system:
Phone: On Wednesdays, from 11.00am to 1.00pm, you may reserve a space by phoning the Church Office (0131 667 1522).
Internet: We would encourage anyone with internet access to use the Eventbrite booking system, which will be open from 4pm on Wednesdays. The system can be accessed from our website via this link: www.mayfieldsalisbury.org/attend
CORNERSTONE BOOKSHOP
Recommended Daily Meditations: Fr Richard Rohr at www.cac.org Also, see www.pray-as-you-go.org
Books for the Journey
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Forthcoming Deadlines
Order of service for next week: Thursday at 6.00pm.
Next Grapevine: Friday 29 January 2021 at 6.00pm.
Please send submissions to the Church Manager, William Mearns.
Phone: 0780 801 1234 or email:
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Copyright Notices
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church holds a CCLI Streaming License: #88916
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