It has been said that if you want to give God a good laugh, tell him your five-year plan. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t have dreams, goals or plans. Just that we have no idea what’s around the corner, and we should be flexible and adapt to our changing circumstances … More Adam Lay Ybounden (Trad, arr. Warlock)
On the Eighth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Eight Maids a-Milking. This gift represents the Beatitudes – and that Christ came to save everyone, regardless of wealth or status. The eight who are blessed include the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, … More New Year’s Day: the 8th Day of Christmas
This is our very special service for New Year’s Eve, in which we are invited to make a covenant to live well in 2021 – with God, with the earth, and with each other … More New Year’s Eve
On the Seventh Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me: Seven Swans a-Swimming. This gift is about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion. As swans are one of the most beautiful and graceful creatures on earth, they would seem to be a perfect symbol for … More New Year’s Eve: the 7th Day of Christmas
On the Sixth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Six Geese a-Laying. This gift is rooted in the book of Genesis, the first story found in the Bible. Each egg is a day in creation, a time when the world was “hatched” or formed by God.
On the Fifth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Five Gold Rings. The gift of the rings represents the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch.
The fourth day of Christmas is when we mark the slaughter of all male babies, ordered by Herod. He was too late though. Mary and Joseph had already escaped, taking their baby Jesus with them. The Coventry Carol tells of the mothers’ grief. It is sung for us by our Organist Tom and our MD … More Carol for the Holy Innocents
On the Fourth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Four Calling Birds. These birds represent the four Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
On the Third Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Three French Hens. These three birds represent faith, hope, and love. This gift references 1 Corinthians 13, the chapter written by the St Paul about love.
On the Second Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Two Turtledoves. These birds represent the Old and New Testaments. In this gift we receive the complete story of Judeo-Christian faith and God’s plan for the world.
