Hello, Cheviot Churches! What a week it has been. Suddenly we find our daily routines radically altered, as we are told to stay at home. I hope that you have adjusted to this new necessity; though we are so fortunate to live in this part of the world with the countryside all around us and with Spring in the air. Although we cannot see people to the same extent, we can keep in touch by phone and even by other forms of technology. I will be sending out these reflections and prayers every weekend, though I am conscious that many of our members do not have access to the internet. If you know of anyone who would like a printed copy, speak to Susan or myself.
One or two other ‘intimations’:
we wait faithfully for God. With our questions and anxieties, in our hopes and expectations, we wait faithfully for God. Come, let us worship the Lord our God together, and offer our prayers and praise in faithfulness Arthur has written our weekly prayer: Father God in his dealing with Mary, Martha and Lazarus Jesus showed his love for those friends who had become like family to him. We thank you for our friends and for the richness and diversity that they bring to our lives. Help us to believe your words to Martha " I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." Amen. Reflection on our lectionary Reading: John 11: 1-45 My brother Charlie retired in December and promptly went off to Crete in order to do some writing. He flew back on Sunday on the last plane out of Crete before it went into lockdown. Although he is in Ayrshire, it is good to know that he is around. Family and friends are important at this time. Family and friends are important to Martha and Mary. There was a crisis in Bethany. Their brother Lazarus was gravely ill, and they sent word to their great friend and mentor, Jesus, so that he could come. Everything would be fine if he came. But he didn’t come. The bible says he ‘tarried’. Bethany was near Jerusalem, and maybe he was concerned about the safety of the disciples and himself, maybe he had other things to do for other people. We don’t know, but when he did eventually arrive, Lazarus was already dead and buried. Martha reproached Jesus,’ If only you had been here, things would have been different.’ There is a lot of hurt and anger in her voice, as she obviously felt very let down. Sometimes we want to rage at God, Why is this happening to us? We are your people, don’t you care. In fact, we find this a lot in the Bible, especially in the book of Psalms When Jesus did come, he did two things: firstly. he saw the love and concern of the community around and saw the grave, and Jesus wept. I am impressed by the closeness of the community in Bethany and the support they offered Mary and Martha. We are lucky having close-knit communities here, ready to look out for one another. But also, we see that Jesus mourned alongside the family. He showed his human nature. I firmly believe that in this Coronavirus crisis, God weeps alongside us at the suffering of all the people. As we watch what is happening in the world – in places where the medical systems have been overwhelmed – we see confusion and grief. But it is a deep comfort to us all that God understands our fear, our anger, our sadness and our grief – and is with us at this time. Secondly, Jesus brought Lazarus back to life again. I am the resurrection and the Life, he told Martha. In the midst of grief, Jesus brought the most amazing, the most unimaginable, the most impossible, time of celebration, when he raised Lazarus back to life. It is all reminder that we are in the season of Lent, a time that Jesus suffered so greatly, but also a reminder that Easter is just a few weeks away, and that nothing will stop God’s power to bring life out of despair and sorrow. Amen Here is a reflection written by Richard Hendrick, which I found on the St Andrew’s Cairo website last week: Yes there is fear. Yes there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying. Yes there is sickness. Yes there is even death. But, They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise You can hear the birds again. They say that after just a few weeks of quiet The sky is no longer thick with fumes But blue and grey and clear. They say that in the streets of Assisi People are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them. Today a young woman I know is busy spreading leaflets with her number through the neighbourhood So that the elders may have someone to call on. Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way All over the world people are waking up to a new reality To how big we really are. To how little control we really have. To what really matters. To Love. So we pray and we remember that Yes there is fear. But there does not have to be hate. Yes there is isolation. But there does not have to be loneliness. Yes there is panic buying. But there does not have to be meanness. Yes there is sickness. But there does not have to be disease of the soul Yes there is even death. But there can always be a rebirth of love. Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now. Today, breathe. Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic The birds are singing again The sky is clearing, Spring is coming, And we are always encompassed by Love. Open the windows of your soul And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, Let us smile and sing to our neighbours A prayer To all who are alone and self-isolating be a companion and friend. To children who can’t play with their friends and whose days lack structure: be a companion and friend. To those who have the virus and those who are concerned about loved ones: bring healing and comfort. To those who grieve for loved ones who have died: bring healing and comfort. To decision makers and all in authority: give wisdom and compassion. To neighbours and all who seek to help others: give wisdom and compassion. For those who work in the health service: we give thanks and ask your blessing. For those who care for us and make us smile: we give thanks and ask your blessing. In the name of Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life. Amen This hymn was written by Graham Leitch in response to the Coronavirus crisis: IN TIMES OF DANGER AND OF DOUBT (Tune: Repton) In times of danger and of doubt, When trials multiply, Lord, calm our fears and still our souls, Remind us of your truths of old: Help us on you rely. Help us on you rely. When changing our familiar ways, Help us adapt to change; Lord, give us persevering hearts, A spirit fit to face the task In comfort or in pain. In comfort or in pain Help us to see our neighbours' need, Our neighbours' burden share; To go for them that second mile, To love and give and help and smile In comfort or in pain. In comfort or in pain. Lord Jesus, you have suffered more, Your pain has known no end; You healed the sick, reclaimed the lame, In pity share each sufferer's pain, On you we now depend. On you we now depend. Day of Prayer Many of us lit a candle last week and said a prayer. We are being invited to do so again this Sunday at 7pm. Here is the prayer: We turn to you, our Father, for we need your help. Lord Jesus, as you have promised, be with us, whatever lies ahead, Strengthen us, Holy Spirit, as we face this together. We pray for our world and our country, as coronavirus threatens our lives and our livelihood, leaving many in lockdown, while key workers continue, despite the risk. We pray for government leaders at Westminster and Holyrood, responding to medical and scientific advice, making tough decisions for the wellbeing of all. We pray for all who serve on the frontline in the NHS and in social care; facing increasing numbers, overstretched resources and distressing human need. Bless those who are ill, those who are alone and afraid, those exhausted looking after their family, those worried for the vulnerable, those fearful for their finances, those shut in to their fears. Thank you for those who have returned from retirement to help, or joined the volunteer army. Thank you for those working: to manufacture needed resources, to find a vaccine, to keep in contact with the isolated, to encourage others at this time. Have mercy on us, O Lord. Give us faith, hope and love and hear our prayers, in Jesus' name. Amen.
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