Dear Friends,
- “Truly wonderful and so sincere… “
It’s not often I start my ramblings with reference to something that would usually be covered in the ‘Looking Back’ section of the magazine, but today l must’for it needs to be highlighted. What does? The Remembrance Day Service that marked the end of the First World War.
It was one of the most poignant services we have ever had and the dignity of Woodlands Scouts who were sharing in it brought great credit to Scouting and to themselves as individuals.
With a picture of the WW1 memorial on the screen they read out the names of all the young men from this local community who had been part of Blackburn Ragged School and who made the ultimate sacrifice. To see today’s lads, not that much younger than some who left Blackburn to go into the unknown one hundred and more years ago and embrace the horrors of trench warfare brought a lump to many a throat. Well done boys and thank you for taking part in the service which was the best attended of any act of worship we have had at Kingsway, including the opening! it was a joy to have you and so many of your family members with us on such an historic day.
It must also be said how grateful we are to their leaders Carion and Gary for the preparation and arranging the technical input by providing the screen etc. to enable us to still join the National Commemoration in Whitehall having had our television stolen just a few days before. Thank you to you all.
Now here we are on the countdown to Christmas and to once more remember an event that changed the direction of the world. As i said in a sermon a few weeks ago babies are born every second but this baby made more impact on the world than any other. Despite all the commercialisation of this season and the fact that various polls suggest that more and more have no idea why we actually celebrate Christmas, praise God that still a greater majority do.
The Incarnation is behind all that we will do in the next few weeks in praise, prayer and partying.
May the story of Mary and Joseph, of angels, shepherds and kings help us to see once more the Christ-Child and ponder the implications of his birth, ministry, death and resurrection and what it says to us as individuals and as a corporate fellowship of believers.
There is no better time to invite family and friends to share with you in worship than this season and i hope you will all do your bit to encourage others to come with you in the various services. We have a story to share.
May you feel God‘s presence very close however you celebrate this special festival.
A very happy Christmas to you all. Alan