The Church in Brentor
Acts 16:16-34 and John 17:20-26
At first glance, these two passages don’t seem to relate well to each other. But I think they have a lot to teach us – especially here and now. In Acts, we are seeing some of the earliest stages in the growth of the church in the Gentile world. And this section is really applicable to us in the 21st century West, because at the end of the day it’s full of imagery and depictions of slavery. Count them up!
Continue reading “The Chains that Bind Us”
We often think about Epiphany – if we think about it at all! – as being the end of Christmas. And so it is, technically – it is its own festival season. In the church, we celebrate Christmas from Christmas Day until “12thnight” – the 5th of January – and then Epiphany from 6thJanuary until Candlemas, at the beginning of February. Collectively, the two seasons are sometimes known as “Christmastide”.
Epiphany completes the traditional “nativity” scene – the arrival of the “Three Kings” or Magi. They come, they leave their gifts, and they go back home. Thus they neatly complete Isaiah’s prophecy and our crib scenes.
But I think there is much more to be learnt from them than that cosy image of Mary and Joseph, shepherds, Magi and Christ-child.
Continue reading “Epiphany – a reflection on the coming of the Magi”
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple – Candlemas
A sermon by Rev Tony Vigars on 3rd February 2019
A question for you to ponder upon while I speak: What is the connection between my sermon and a two pound coin?
In the north east corner of St Eustachius’ Church in Tavistock you will find what has been called their finest stained glass window. One designed by the Victorian Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones and produced in the workshops of William Morris. Sadly, due to an unforeseen chemical reaction, some of the colours and writing have deteriorated badly over the years.
I was sitting in that chapel for a communion service and whilst waiting for it to begin I took in the window. Huge portraits of ten men proclaim how our Christian faith is rooted upon and grows out of the faith of the Jews. On the bottom row of figures are pictures of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Moses, Daniel and Jeremiah. Above them are arrayed Matthew, Mark, Paul, Luke and John. All of them carry either a writing quill, engraved tablets of stone or a book or two of those things. The New Testament, the window is saying, is founded upon the Old Testament.
Continue reading “Candlemas 2019”
Welcome to the first blog on the new Brentor Church website! This has been a really exciting week for us, with the new solar powered lights being blessed by Bishop Nick on Sunday.
The bishop’s sermon made me think, too, about what we as a church are about. Yes, of course the Church is the people – but the church as a building still has a role. Bishop Nick (suffragan bishop of Plymouth) said that a church like ours serves three purposes…