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21 January 2018
Dr Lesley was away today, so no photo's I'm afraid.
Father Stephen's sermon was as follows:
At this time of the year it is usual to go to a performance of a pantomime or ballet. Father Stephen remembered going to Coven Garden to see a production of the ballet "The Nutcracker". The transformation scene had a huge impact on him, when the mice come out and the toys have their moment. In particular, there was a Christmas tree and it grew and grew. Quite an achievement of the production team. However the Gospel reading today of the miracle in Cana of the turning of water into wine is not a magic trick but a transformation. When Jesus chose his new disciples, they were not taken to a retreat or an intensive course over a few days, but to a lively wedding feast. Weddings at the time of Jesus would have lasted a week, with the guests going to their usual day job and returning to the celebration in the evening. It would have been a huge humiliation in society to run out of wine. When Mary appeals to Jesus she gets "the brush off" from Jesus, but still tells the servants to do exactly as he says. This begins Jesus' ministry, a miracle of social niceties rather than healing. The disciples saw the miracle and knew his glory. The turning of water into wine prefigures the lavishness of the heavenly banquet and the generosity of God, to enrich lives and bring luxury into poverty.
In Christ, God makes all things new and perfects in us the image of his glory.
Don't forget to get your tickets for the Moroccan Dinner on 10th February from the Church wardens. A few people have asked if the food will be spicy - yes, but in the way a mince pie at Christmas is spicy, not like a hot Indian curry.
Also don't forget the Silent Auction on the 3rd March and to volunteer now for the summer fete on 28th July. Get the dates into your diary.
Father Stephen's sermon was as follows:
At this time of the year it is usual to go to a performance of a pantomime or ballet. Father Stephen remembered going to Coven Garden to see a production of the ballet "The Nutcracker". The transformation scene had a huge impact on him, when the mice come out and the toys have their moment. In particular, there was a Christmas tree and it grew and grew. Quite an achievement of the production team. However the Gospel reading today of the miracle in Cana of the turning of water into wine is not a magic trick but a transformation. When Jesus chose his new disciples, they were not taken to a retreat or an intensive course over a few days, but to a lively wedding feast. Weddings at the time of Jesus would have lasted a week, with the guests going to their usual day job and returning to the celebration in the evening. It would have been a huge humiliation in society to run out of wine. When Mary appeals to Jesus she gets "the brush off" from Jesus, but still tells the servants to do exactly as he says. This begins Jesus' ministry, a miracle of social niceties rather than healing. The disciples saw the miracle and knew his glory. The turning of water into wine prefigures the lavishness of the heavenly banquet and the generosity of God, to enrich lives and bring luxury into poverty.
In Christ, God makes all things new and perfects in us the image of his glory.
Don't forget to get your tickets for the Moroccan Dinner on 10th February from the Church wardens. A few people have asked if the food will be spicy - yes, but in the way a mince pie at Christmas is spicy, not like a hot Indian curry.
Also don't forget the Silent Auction on the 3rd March and to volunteer now for the summer fete on 28th July. Get the dates into your diary.
Service Times
First Sunday in the Month:
08:00am Holy Communion
10:00am Family Service
Second Sunday in the Month
Third Sunday in the Month
08:00am Holy Communion
10:00am Family Service
Second Sunday in the Month
08:00am Holy Communion
10:00am Parish Eucharist
10:00am Parish Eucharist
Third Sunday in the Month
08:00am Holy Communion
10:00am Sung Matins in the Church or Crafty Communion in Church Hall
Fourth Sunday in the Month
08:00am Holy Communion
08:00am Holy Communion
10:00am Parish Eucharist
Variations can be found in the Parish Magazine or the Calendar at the bottom of this page.
Useful links
Here are some links to resources you may find helpful:
- Chichester Cathedral will be live streaming services. For the Eucharist and order of service Click here before 10:00am Sunday and follow the instructions.
- The BBC Daily Service is available here.
- Prayer for today.
- The C of E youtube channel.
- Hearing You is a new phone help line launched by the Diocese of Chichester in partnership with Together in Sussex in response to the impact that Covid 19 has had on Just about the whole community. It aims to provide pastoral support and a listening ear to the recently bereaved and people directly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
- COVID-19 advice from the Diocese of Chichester here.
Blog Archive
Archived posts by year: