Longing for Light

A good turn out for this morning with 83 adults and 9 children.

The service was led by one of the circuits' longest serving Lay Preachers, Marlene Chalkley, from Wallingford.

Marlene was thinking about what next now the Christmas Decorations are down. The sermon included a story about a lady whose life was turned around by an Alpha course. Alpha courses start soon in Abingdon with the launch event at the Spice Valley Restaurant - a buffet followed by a talk by an ex policeman turned criminal whose life was turned round by Alpha.

On the service sheet 2 notable Trinity people have died, Margaret Lloyd, a stalwart at Trinity for many years, and Geoff Squire who was verger and an able musician until he left 20 years ago.

Enjoyed singing 'Longing for light, we wait in darkness'.

Covenant Service

The church boiler had not come on and so most people were still wrapped in coats.

The advent candles burned brightly at the front.

Revd Ian led the Covenant Service. He said how some people in the methodist church, where he grew up, avoided this service, either because they saw it as wordy and dry, or the promises were beyond them.

We said the promises in more modern words. There followed a communion where people gathered in a semi-circle. I prayed God to forgive me before taking the bread and wine as I felt unworthy.

I wanted the service to last, and concentrated mindfully on the words, particularly the last hymn "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus."

Outside it was raining. Large puddles had formed at the junctions of some roads, and the early daffodils were bent by the rain.

life and witness

In this weeks Service Sheet it says:

Thanks be to God for the life and witness of

June Etheridge, whose funeral will be held at Oxford Crematorium on Tuesday 11 November at noon, followed by a Thanksgiving Service at Trinity at 2pm, remembering especially at this time her husband Ron, their family and friends

and David Hutchins, whose Thanksgiving Service was held in Trinity last Friday (today), remembering especially at this time his wife June and their family and friends.

David fell and broke his hip and being frail...

June had cancer and it was far advanced when they found it. Hard to believe she has gone so soon. Sh was always the strongest person.

Revd Richards Last Service

After over 6 years at Trinity Abingdon, Rev. Richard Bittleston led his last service this morning.

Richard held communion as he had done departing two previous churches: Trinity Harrow, and Trinity St Albans.

The Church Secretary said she was sad to see him go because of his thought provoking sermans, all the music he brought to Trinity, the way he has helped at local churches in the local circuit on the Church in Abingdon, and for the warm welcome and attention he has given to all people coming to Trinity for weddings, baptisms, and funerals.

David Kershaw

David was ill with cancer last time he preached at Trinity, about a year ago. We always enjoyed his ministry.

He spoke on Faith. The reading was from Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see ...

I cannot remember exactly what he said but remember it was very moving in the light of him maybe being in our pulpit for the last time. He was not sure what came after this life but his faith kept him going every day, could have been the message.

For many years he was a much loved Head Master at Wallingford School. He also spoke with great warmth and authority from the pulpit.

Let People be themselves.

Revd Richard told a story from the Tao ...

 WHEN LIEH-TZU was living in Cheng, he was poor and starving. A friend saw his condition and spoke to the chief minister, “Lieh-tzu is a sage who has attained The Tao. He is now living in your country poor and unrecognized. Why don't you send him a gift to show you appreciate an enlightened man when you see one?"

The chief minister immediately sent a gift of grain to LIEH-TZU.

When the minister's messenger arrived with the gift, LIEH-TZU went to the door, bowed twice to the honored guest, and politely refused the gift.

His wife was outraged with LIEH-TZU's behaviour and scolded him. "Wives and children of other sages live comfortable and we are starving. Now that we've finally gotten some food from the minister, why did you refuse it? How can you do this to us?"

LIEH-TZU smiled and said to his wife, "Let me tell you why I refused the gift. If I am honored because of another person's opinion, then I can also be dismissed because of someone's opinion. People's words can make you but they can also break you. That's why I am scared of receiving a gift based on someone's opinion of me. We may not be rich, but it is safer this way."

Jesus complained about being categorized in Matthew ch 11 v 18-19 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds."

Rev. Richard said "Listen to the news and you will hear that much of it is not news at all, but opinions."

Saying someone is nice is an opinion, an idle generalization to which not much thought was given. Once neatly labelled that can be the end of the amount of thought you give to that person.

Far better to let people be themselves and take real notice of them, not rushing to opinions.

It begins and ends with Him

Rev. John Rowland, from Kennington, was preaching ...

The Methodist Church has declined in members by 30% in ten years. But Rev Rowland said the central question is 'not how well the church is doing but how well you know Jesus. How well do you know him? It begins and ends with Jesus.'

The church may not have the power it once had but that does not mean the life of discipleship is gone or diminshed. It means the church thing is not regarded as so important as once it was. "So What?"

You are regarded by God as you always were. You are one of those people for whom Christ said "I am for you. Here I am." You heard God's Call and that is the heart of the matter.

Begin where you are, or begin again where you are, in a relationship with the risen Jesus. Start now. Don't put it off.