[This Sunday we celebrate the feast day of Christ the King, we are called to work with this King. This King who died on the cross, rises from the dead and is with his people.
It tells us what real authority is; and what we, as followers of Jesus, should follow in the authority of love; what we ourselves should become if we are forever to touch the Kingdom of God. Because God is love, and unless we learn to love as Jesus loves, we will never touch God. Also being the next Sunday before Advent in the Book of Common Prayer this Sunday is listed for “The Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Trinity and referred to as “Stir up” Sunday and this collect would have been read just before Advent.
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Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
And if we want to be more fruitful, what does that BCP prayer talks about, “Bringing forth the fruit of good works.” Jesus’ teaching gives us a pretty good list of what Jesus thinks are important examples of good works. During our Advent time of reflection, we can also stir up and think of the good works we can offer for the coming year. The other reason why “stir up” Sunday is so memorable is that it coincides with the time that cooks would start to stir up the ingredients for Christmas puddings and Christmas cakes, so that they could be made with plenty of time to mature nicely in time for Christmas. If anyone has any Christmas recipes they would like to share, or any recipes at all, just let me know. Many thank.
Please find attached this week’s services and notices
Love and prayers
Judith
The Reverend Judith Balkwell Associate Priest
Haslingden, St James, Laneside, St Peter & Musbury St Thomas
