The thread running through the Sermons preached by our Rector Fr Mark Soady on Christmas Eve (Friday), Christmas Day (Saturday) & St Stephen’s Day (Sunday) was volunteering.

ON Christmas Eve Fr Mark noted that many of us buy presents for others that are cheap but look expensive, God on the other hand did not count the cost of the gift he gave us on the first Christmas. “How will we respond to this gift of love? We should in Love give all we have in return. Giving of our life in service!”

Christmas Day the Rector referred the role played by Angels in the Christmas story. Angels bringing “good news, comfort and reassurance”.  He went on draw a parallel between the heavenly host and the “angels” volunteering this Christmastime to ensure the booster roll out is fulfilled, those who volunteered to work to keep us safe and those working in the care and nursing profession this weekend – thus bringing comfort, reassurance and good news to us.

His sermon on St Stephen’s Day drew on the carol “Good King Wenceclas”, a story of a Christian King who showed great kindness to his people. He endangered his own life by going out in  a blizzard to ensure his people had food and fire wood. “How often do we volunteer in uncomfortable situations?” he asked.

This is a theme picked up by trainee Authorised Lay Minster, Sophie Gornall in her prayers on Christmas morning:

We pray for everyone who are keeping communities safe this Christmas. We pray for NHS workers and those who are administering the vaccine. Just as Jesus had a humble birth in the stable, help us to be and humble and show humility in serving others.

Lord hear us

Lord graciously hear us

We give thanks for the families and friends we spend time with at  Christmas. We ask that you would be light to those who can’t see their families and friends due to covid or other circumstances. We pray for those who are homeless and those who are lonely and that you would bring warmth and rest to them.
Lord hear us

Lord graciously hear us

Fr Mark concluded the series with these words:

I want not only to challenge you to volunteer sacrificially, but also to thank you for doing so – especially over the last 20 months. Thank you!”