Why do we celebrate Communion?
I have recently been asked to give a short presentation to my daughters class on the meaning of communion, with particular attention to the idea of symbols. And it got me thinking. Communion is underrated. It is probably the most significant service that we have in Church. It’s a regular reminder that Christ died for us, a reminder that Paul tells us we should repeat until Our Lord returns. But it is also about community, reconciliation, forgiveness, love, peace, family, togetherness; Communion encompasses everything about what it means to be a Christian. It’s a celebration of love, the love of our God for His lost children and that He gave up His only Son to die for US!! God loves ME, that is at the heart of communion, it’s staggering!

It’s only four weeks to Easter, by far the most important date in the Christian calendar. I have added a page with some resources for communion services and will update it with more stuff over the next few days. Check it out here.
“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24

Here’s one off my favourite hymns to kick of the weekend.

Enjoy

On Sunday I am taking one of the great train rides in the UK. I will be travelling from my home in Southampton and going all the way up to Aberdeen. The journey will begin at 7:11 when my first train will leave it’s station in Eastleigh, bound for Waterloo. It will then be a short London underground trip to Kings Cross. I will then catch the 10am train to Aberdeen.

It was started in the 1840′s and runs for over 393 miles to Edinburgh and then beyond. It crosses the famous forth and Tay Bridges and through some spectacular scenery. It was also the line that brought us the Flying Scotsman and the Mallard trains. Both trains were built at the Doncaster Train Works and are now both retired to the National Railway Museum in York. Roll on Sunday!!!

Here is a fascinating article by Peter Oborne from The Telegraph, England. In it he asks if the ‘age of austerity’ isn’t the reason behind the slowing of the decline of church attendance in the UK.The Return to Religion. Church attendance in the UK has been in steady decline since the middle of the 19th century, when Church attendance was nearly 50% of the population. The latest census figures in 2005 tell us that now only 6.3% attend church regularly. “More than half of all Britons, according to British Social Attitudes, say they have “no religion” and never attend a religious service.”

Here’s a great article which explains why you feel the way you do after Christmas and maybe you will be able to smile to yourself and feel a whole lot better.  Here’s to a great new year and God bless you all! Click Here.

I love Christmas and I love what it stands for, the Saviour of this world born to die for us. Wishing everyone a very happy and blessed Christmas.

I just got back from Mission Worship, it’s an annual worship conference in Eastbourne, England. It’s for worship leaders and pastors and anyone else interested. This was my second year to go and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. We get to learn new songs, go to lots of workshops and most of all to worship God with fellow Christians. This was a new song to me, but probably not to a lot of you. The song is very well known, since it’s based on a Christmas carol, but it uses the chorus of the carol and adds two new verses.

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

We’ll give Him all the glory . . .

For He alone is worthy . . .

I have used in church a few times since coming back from Mission Worship.  If you would like to go Mission Worship check out this link!