Stainglass window
Christmas 2011
3rd Dec Advent Party
12th Dec @ 2pm
Carol Service at Oak tree Court
16th Dec @ 2.30pm
Carol Service at Stratford Court
17th Dec @11am
Carol Singing outside Co-Op
18th Dec Nativity and Christingle Service and Carol Service
24th Dec @ 11pm (Service starts at 11.30pm
United Service at URC Etwall Rd
25th Dec @10am
Christmas Day Service
"Balanced Living"
Dear Friends,
In 1981 a film with a haunting theme won an Oscar: "Chariots of Fire" was all about a Christian sprinter called Eric Liddell. He was selected to represent his country for the 1924 Olympics, but refused to run in his main event because it was scheduled for a Sunday. In the face of much misunderstanding and criticism, he stuck to his principles. And, of course, the story had a happy ending: he won a gold medal at a different distance. Liddell's Christian witness made him famous overnight, as he took his stand on the 4th of the Ten Commandments, but did he apply it rightly? The commandment bans work on the Sabbath, but unlike top athletes today, Liddell never got a penny for his running. The commandment tells us to follow God's example when he "rested" on the 7th day, but does "resting" rule out running? And anyway, Sunday isn't the 7th day of the week it's the first!
All Christians praise God for the fine example of a man who had the guts to obey his conscience. But is a Christian defying God when he or she runs for the local team, or plays cricket? Or goes for a drive in the car? Or does the back garden? What about those whose job involves them working some Sundays?
It's one of the most daring of all biblical pictures. The idea of God working is bold enough. But the thought of God having a day off is almost embarrassing. as if to rub it in later, a later chapter in the book of Exodus tells how God "ceased work on the seventh day and refreshed himself" (Exodus 31:17)
The whole point of this picture is to make sure that you and I do not miss something vital- God is deliberately modelling a human need. whatever our work involves- whether we love it or hate it- we all need a regular break from doing it. That is the way we are made. As someone has said the need for balance in life is a law written into every cell of the human body.
And this is the way Jesus understands the commandment too. look at his "discussion" with the Pharisees in Mark's Gospel, chapters 2 and 3. They had turned this blessing into a burden, and Jesus was furious. "The Sabbath was made for men, not man for the Sabbath", was his comment.
The Bible's Sabbath principle is that all of us, whoever we are, need change. Whether I am a paid employee, a student, a housewife/househusband, an unemployed person, a retired person, it is God's will that there should be change and variety in life. That is how we are made by our Creator. He wants us to be healthy, balanced people. Workaholics are no better than alcoholics. Both are abusing something which is good and God-given by overusing it. Maybe too many people in our society suffer heart attacks through an unbalanced lifestyle, because they fail to observe the maker's instructions.
And what's all this got to do with Sundays? Well, personally I don't think the 4th Commandment has much to do with Sundays at all! I realise that's a provocative thing to say, so perhaps I'll expand on it another time.
The Sabbath principle says WE ALL NEED CHANGE - so enjoy your holiday!
Your friend and pastor,
Jonathan Calvert