I chose the theme of Keep Moving for Sunday morning worship for three reasons;

• The weather forecast told of extremely cold conditions and a screaming wind straight from the Arctic. (We would need to keep moving to prevent us from getting too cold.)
• We are studying a book called “We make the Road by Walking” by Brian McLaren.
• We should never become complacent in our ways of doing church, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus and be guided by the Holy Spirit so we continue to be experimental and not set in our ways.

It actually turned out to be a sunny, but cold morning the wind not quite so fierce as expected. One really great thing about meeting outside is that we can use what is all around us to focus our worship.

Keeping moving in Thanksgiving

We turn to the river

Thank you that Jesus that you refresh us with Living Water

We turn to the rising sun

Thank you for Jesus the Risen Son

Turn to the road

Thank you that you journey with us

Turn round and find the wind – welcome the wind with open arms

Thank you Holy Spirit that you dwell with us

Turn back to the river and look at the foot bridge

Thank you Jesus that you are The Way, The Truth and The Light

Turn in a direction of your choice and look at the winter scene

Thank you Lord God for the seasons of our lives, as we move on help us to keep moving on with you.

Bible Reading: Luke 3 from The Message

We read excerpts from Brian McLaren’s book from chapter 19 about the alternative baptismal cleansing that John the Baptist was offering to the Jews at the time of Jesus. It was this alternative way of thinking that Jesus signed up to when he came to John to be baptised in the River Jordan.

Keeping moving we walked to the Park Head considering while we walked:

Imagine God asking you, “What one thing would you like me to do for  you?”  As Solomon asked for wisdom hold up one request to God in silence.

At the Park Head, as the river rushed by, we read about the Baptism of Jesus.

Turning to the river we prayed for those we know who are in need, asking that they would experience being immersed in the flowing river of God’s love. We also prayed for those made homeless through war, disaster or other circumstances who would be experiencing the terrible cold of winter.

Bread and Wine

We know so well the stories of Christmas and Epiphany. The stories of Jesus birth, his visitors, his escape to Egypt. Apart from his visit to Jerusalem at the age of 12 we hear very little of his childhood, teenage years and 20s. We know that in those years Jesus increased in wisdom and that they were a preparation for his ministry after his baptism and temptations in the desert.  All his life he was moving, growing, changing, learning and preparing.

Preparing to die in our place

break bread – the broken body of Jesus

To shed his blood to redeem us

share wine – the blood of redemption

Luke Chapter 3: 21, 22 “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptised too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

 God says to you:  “You are my child, whom I dearly love. In you I find pleasure. “

 make these words your own:

“I am (my name), your child, whom you dearly love. In me you find pleasure.”