Advent Challenge Day 2

Luke Chapter 2

In this chapter we concentrate on Jesus’ birth. Mary and Joseph head to Bethlehem to register for the census, and while they are there, Mary gives birth. There were no luxuries for Mary – no bed, no hospital, no doctors, not even a bed for her son. While Luke doesn’t tell us of the wise men, he tells us about the shepherds and the angels heralding a new age, bringing greetings of peace to all humanity.

When his parents took Jesus to the temple, Simeon recognised him immediately, and uttered the words that we now call “Nunc Dimittis”, but more importantly words to foretell his future role as judge to the nation of Israel. The prophetess Anna also recognised the child and told everyone that the longed-for Messiah was now born.

As this chapter concludes, we have the only story of Jesus as a young adult, coming with his parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. As a twelve year old boy, he would be left behind in Jerusalem, only for his family to find him on the third day – foreshadowing his death in years to come, abandoned by all, and found again by his new “family” on the third day.

Mary is keenly aware of all that has ever been said about her son, and keeps the words in her heart – knowing that one day all the prophecies would bring a ”sword to her heart”.

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AccessNI Check process

Hi folks Please see the following pages for the process of getting our AccessNI accreditation for our Sunday School and GFS leaders and helpers. You will need to print out the pages and keep a special note of the long number provided to you by email and let me know as soon as possible. We require an Enhanced check for everyone - and use the PIN number 918066 as detailed on the first page. The second page details the forms of identification you will need to provide - one from the first group, and two from the second group. The quicker we can all get the checks completed, the sooner we can get everything back to normal and put this whole process behind us for another three years! If you can photograph yourself (by smartphone or tablet) and email (revdjohnny@gmail.com) or WhatsApp (07488371680) them to me, that'd be great. I will also be available at the Parish Hall on Monday evening from 7pm to 8pm to help you with anything you would like assistance with! If you need any help at all

Back to the BCP!!

Hi folks It’s been a long time since the pandemic started and the lockdowns - and Covid hasn’t really gone away! I had the dubious honour of getting Covid for the second time just before Holy Week, giving me the chance to think about ministry direction, both my own and in the parish. One of the original responses to the pandemic was to limit our use of the hymn books and our Prayer Books. At the beginning I produced a service sheet with all the relevant liturgy - which we used in the car park and when we returned to the church. Our “temporary measure” lasted almost three years - and it’s time to move on! Our Book of Common Prayer contains our unique identity - in fact the word “Common” doesn’t mean ordinary but that it shows our unity - the liturgy we hold in “common”. We will be returning to our BCPs from this weekend, the Second Sunday of Easter. We will be using Morning Prayer Two - and we will guide us through the service. We look forward to seeing you in church or online via Fb

Second Sunday in Lent

Hi folks Another week has literally flown by - and we've already started the new month! This Sunday's readings include the best known passage in the Bible, John 3 - the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. In this passage, Jesus sums up the whole Gospel message of love, salvation and eternal life in one verse, known to us all as John 3:16. Is this the most important verse in our Holy Scriptures? Possibly, but join us on Sunday to discuss the passage, and how it fits into the Christian life as we know it. Our service is Holy Communion Two, and our readings and passages are listed on our service sheets attached. Our service will be streamed on Facebook (all being well) and shared afterwards on our page if you can't join us live. Blessings Johnny

Aghavea Parish Church

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