It has been so good to be away for a break in the beautiful Scottish Borders, a place close to our hearts and one that is very familiar from many trips there. However, wherever we went and whatever we did this time had to be thought about and done in a different way due to the pandemic that is changing so much of the way we live.  As I thought about this it struck me that a most appropriate psalm for these days is Psalm 137. The people of Israel had seen the loss of so much-their Promised Land, their loved ones, their way of life, the beloved and magnificent temple at Jerusalem. A small remnant had been carried into captivity in Babylon and when urged to sing by their captors they cry out…

“How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? “

We may not be in captivity to foreign powers, but it can feel that we are nevertheless in captivity to this virus. Some have lost loved ones; others have lost jobs and businesses.  We have all seen our freedom curtailed and our way of living from day to day having to adapt to ever changing restrictions. How shall we, as God’s people living through this time, sing his song in this strange land?  

Well, we have already seen so much that is good and creative. People coming together virtually in all sorts of ways- Zoom, Facebook, video calls, You Tube-people have connected with each other and with God. Phone calls, emails, letters, cards through the door, socially distanced coffees, meeting in small groups in houses, the list could go on.  Reflecting on this- and especially on our current status here in St James and St Anne’s with two buildings that are expensive and costly to maintain-I wonder what God might be teaching us about singing his song in the future?

Our security should never be in bricks and mortar but in God who lives in us by grace. Singing the Lord’s song is something we do not need a church building to do-especially since we are not able to sing in any church at the moment! But we can all sing the Lords song wherever we find ourselves day by day. A song of thanks for all that we have. A song of praise for the beauty and wonder of the world God has created. A song of joy for the love and mercy given in Christ. A song of hope for the future we have through Christ’s death and resurrection. A song of God’s great love for the whole world- yes, a song even in this strange land. God does not mind how musical or not we may be. He does not mind if we sing in the bath or the kitchen or whilst out walking. What he does long for is that we all sing and praise him however we can and wherever we are. And maybe, as we emerge from this, we will discover that the new song we have learned is one that really does turn the world -and the church- upside down!

With thanks again to Rev Mel. (For those on FB I can recommend for daily (& Sunday) services.).

If today was not a Sunday we would be celebrating
SAINTS ANNE AND JOACHIM
In the proto-gospel of James, written in the middle of the second century, the parents of Mary the mother of Jesus are named as Anne and Joachim. The story appears to be based heavily on that of Hannah, the mother of Samuel. The Church maintains their feast day both to emphasise God’s plan from the beginning to send his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem fallen humanity; and also to show God’s faithfulness in keeping his covenant with all generations.

Collect

Lord God of Israel,
who bestowed such grace on Anne and Joachim
that their daughter Mary grew up obedient to your word
and made ready to be the mother of your Son:
help us to commit ourselves in all things to your keeping
and grant us the salvation you promised to your people;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Holy Annie, God’s Granny, pray for us! (Joachim too!)

 

Today we remember Saint James the Great…
James, often called ‘the Great’, was a Galilean fisherman who, with his brother John, was one of the first apostles called by Jesus to follow him. The two brothers were with Jesus at his Transfiguration and with him again in the garden of Gethsemane. They annoyed the other followers of Jesus by asking to sit one on his left and the other on his right when he came into his glory and they were present for the appearances of Christ after the resurrection. James was put to death by the sword on the order of Herod Agrippa, who hoped in vain that, by disposing of the Christian leaders, he could stem the flow of those hearing the good news and becoming followers in the Way. James’ martyrdom is believed to have taken place in the year 44.

Whilst I don’t usually share this on the website I thought it might be of particular interest this month as, in addition to the usual news from across the Dioceses, it gives information about churches which are open for private prayer.

There is also a short video showing what socially distanced services will be like as churches reopen.

Can I also remind you that there will be no local online service this week and that links to alternatives can be found on the ‘Worship’ page of the website.

Here is the link to Inspires Online for July 2020.

https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?u=8570812f89ec37182e2dcfe57&id=6ad72fe0c3

Jean

 

Here is the link to The Celtic Blessing Barbara referred to in the service of 19th July.

The Celtic Blessing: https://youtu.be/_y3-tRu8MIk

There will not be a local service on Sunday 26th.

Barbara suggested that you might want to listen to the online Cathedral service or for a more contemporary Episcopal service:-

Watch St Paul’s and St George’s Church online on either:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psandgs

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChQ_…

Sunday 19^th July 2020

Reflection on Psalm 139

 

I don’t know about you but there have been times in the last few months when I have simply thought, “what on earth is happening and what is the future going to look like”. I would like to say that it has been a time in which I have devoted hours to meditation, study and prayer; but at times it has been really difficult to pray and a great deal of my time seems to have been taken up with learning about new technologies! My relationship with Microsoft Teams remains deeply troubled and on occasion puts my computer at risk although I know it is not its fault!! Yet, in the midst of the turmoil of 2020, God is present, His loving arms around those who are lonely, bereaved, despairing, exhausted, confused.  How do we know this? Well, through personal experience, faith, and reading the words of Scripture and Psalm 139 is a great place to start. This has been described as the “crown of all psalms”. It is about God’s love, knowledge, presence for the individual – for the psalmist, but when we read this poetry, we can own it; it is given to us as a blessing, as sustenance in a dry and parched land.

 

God knows you better than you know yourself. At those times when you may feel distant from God and perhaps faith is difficult, even then God is with you. God searches, knows, discerns and is familiar with everything about us and does not turn away from us. Indeed God will seek us out. The psalmist speaks of fleeing to the highest heaven or sinking to the lowest depths, of travelling to the furthest lands or hiding in the darkness; but “even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast”. The words suggest physical movement, but can also be a metaphor for the inward journey of sadness, despair or loss of faith. In all these situations God is still there and will never abandon his beloved children.

 

What does the week ahead hold? There is excitement as more of our normal life opens up, but there is also anxiety. We have to adapt to new ways of meeting friends, shopping, working. We now have a new fashion accessory in the form of face masks and they are really quite easy to make so you can have one to match every outfit! We could also have them in liturgical colours! Even so, at times that overwhelming sense of ‘what is happening’ can hit us, but read these words of the psalmist – God is right there knowing and caring and loving us and when you don’t know how to pray or haven’t the energy to pray just turn to the words Jesus gave the disciples – simple words, because God already knows your hopes and fears, so just turn to Him.

 

Our Father, abba father, let heaven flood the earth, your will be done – your will which is to bring all things back into your loving arms; let there be provision for all people from the resources of this good earth; thank you for forgiving us and let us forgive in the same way, and protect us from all evil; for eternity is in your hands.

 

St Paul captured the eternal truth of God’s constant presence in those fantastic words in his letter to the church in Rome, chapter 8, “for I am convinced that neither death, not life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

In the week ahead let’s read Psalm 139 together and take it to heart and let’s all say with the psalmist, “search me and know my heart .. and lead me in the way everlasting”, Amen.

 

Rev Barbara will be doing the Sunday service this week.

The link will be found on the Worship page of the website and on YouTube. Meanwhile attached is the service sheet for those who would like to download.

We hope to see you (virtually) on Sunday and if you are using the direct YouTube link do feel free to comment and greet fellow attendees.

Direct YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt0ySQS3x3luJe6tO2ECNgQ

MORNING WORSHIP service sheet 19th July 2020

The Cathedral plan to have Sunday services from 2nd August. They will be providing details w/c 27th July but meanwhile the cathedral is open for private prayer and details of times are below together with details of their ‘dial a sermon option.

(from their newsletter):-

THE CATHEDRAL OPEN FOR PRIVATE/PERSONAL PRAYER

On Sunday 28th June the cathedral opened its doors for those who wish to come for Private/Personal Prayer. Much preparation has gone into opening the doors and ensuring the safety, as far as we can.

The opening times for the coming weeks are:

Sunday 19th & 26th July 11.30 to 12.30pm
Wednesday22nd & 29th July 11am to 12noon
Friday 24th & 31st July 3pm to 4pm

There will be a number of precautions in place for the safety of all during this time and in line with the Scottish Episcopal Church guidance and the Scottish Government guidance.

There will be a one way system, using the All Access Door for the entrance with the exit through the West Doors. Please wear a mask in the building. You will find hand sanitiser at the entrance and exit to use. There will always be 2 stewards on duty to welcome you and to help you with where to go etc.

Candles will be available to light and the contactless donation facility will enable donations for candles. Please note that if you prefer to use a Bible/Prayer Book during this time then please bring your own copy as we are not able to have these on offer at this time.

DIAL A SERMON

It is now possible for those who don’t have access to the internet to be able to phone into listen to the sermon/reflection for the week. The number to call is: 01463 219696. Please do pass on this number to anyone who may appreciate this service. Please note that depending on the individual’s telephone contract there maybe a charge associated with calling this local number.

A very big thank you to everyone who has supported the NeuroChums fundraising for Highland Hospice. We achieved our target of running, walking and cycling the equivalent of Lands-end to John o Groats and also a loop round Highland to finish in Inverness. We raised a total of £2,305 for our wonderful Highland Hospice. The fundraising page remains open until the end of July. Thank you so much 😊