Through all the changing scenes of life, In trouble and in joy.
The praises of our God shall still my heart and tongue employ. Brady and Tate1699
This seventeenth century hymn says much about our journey through life. This hymn like many others we rarely hear, was sung week in week out in the parish churches of the land for almost 200 years. Whilst it did make the cut and was included by Horrobin and Leavers in Mission Praise I suspect it is for many simply ‘old fashioned’.
Over the last 70 years of the reign of Elizabeth the second many of the things people stood for and believed in have become to be seen as old fashioned values. When she became Queen we lived in a world in which we gave our life today. Life was for giving and not long before she came to the throne many had given the ultimate sacrifice for others.
For over 300 years, week in week out, people came to church to hear in the Book of Common Prayer communion service the comfortable words, “So God loved the world, that he gave his onlybegotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.
By the 1960’s people were beginning to blame the Book of Common Prayer for declining numbers in our churches and by modernising we would fill them again. The language of Milton and Shakespeare was no longer deemed appropriate But it was not just language the focus of our lives changed from giving to one of self in which each individual life is to be lived to the full at all costs.
That little girl Lilibet could not have known how the changing scenes of life would change her life.
The abdication of her uncle Edward changed her life beyond measure On her 21st birthday in Cape Town she issued that much quoted promise – “I declare that my whole life, whether long or short, shall be devoted to your service” The word service is hardly ever heard these days.
When I was singing that hymn as boy in church and school, I had no idea how the world and the church would change in my lifetime or how I would be changed. That will be true for many of you.
On Thursday tea time our world changed for many of us when HM Queen Elizabeth slipped from this life into paradise – to the room prepared for her The Queen had served us for 70 years. For most people she is all they have known 48 Years ago this month I went to Bede College Durham to read Mathematics and as some of you
have heard me say the moto of Bede College is ‘Eadem mutata resurgo’ … the same, though changed, I rise again. The monarchy did not die it rose again – “the Queen is dead long live the King”. As she left this world Charles rose to be our new King.
“Heaven is not the place we go to when life is ended; it is the place we go to so that new life can begin. The evening of this world is followed by morning in the next.”
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his compassion never fails, every morning it is renewed.
God and the Monarchy are a constant an unfailing presence in the lives of this nation The Queen embraced her destiny with dignity, duty, determination and in service of God. The best legacy of the second Elizabethan era would be for us all to follow in the example she set throughout her life If we can do that, the memory of our late Queen will not just live on in our hearts but in a world which values all people no matter what creed or race a world in which we live out the last commandment of God’s son to his disciples to “love one another as I have loved you”.
As we mourn her passing “Christ is that Morning Star which, when the night of this age is past, brings to his saints the promised light of life and opens everlasting Day.”
Book of Condolence
There is a Book of Condolence in church if you would like to sign it. Church is open 10-4 everyday until after the funeral
We are all saddened by the news that Queen Elizabeth died at Balmoral. Her service, commitment, dedication and Christian witness, over the last 70 years has been an example to us all. For many people, including me, she has been a constant example of holy living throughout our lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time. St James will be open for private prayer 10am-4pm every day until the funeral on the 19th
As many of you know I will be away for the next fortnight (from Sunday afternoon) initially to marry my nephew in Portugal and then having a holiday to mark my retirement from my day job. In the light of today’s announcements, I can’t help feeling this is the worst timing in the world but there is nothing I can do to change that.
This Sunday morning, (11th Sept) we will focus our 10am service on giving thanks for service and dedication and in particular the life of the Queen. We will also offer prayers for our new monarch King Charles.
Please encourage people in the village to come along to mark the passing of a monarch whose promise and commitment was an example to us all and pray for Charles as he tries to walk in his mother’s footsteps in a world in which service has so often been overwhelmed by self.
Some dates for your diary
Friday 30th September 5-7pm and Saturday 1st October 10.30am to 12 noon Collection of Harvest gifts at the Bowling hut in the village. All the gifts will be blessed at the Harvest Festival Service on Sunday 2nd October 10 am
You can also leave food at School or the Post Office in Hollins Lane
Sunday 2nd October 6,30pm Harvest Festival Evensong
Sunday 6th November 10am Special Service to remember all those we have loved on this earth who are no longer with us . If you would like somebody remembered by name please put them on the list in church or email vicar@stjameschurchforton.org
We are having our annual Shoe Box appeal. Boxes are available in Church or at the Post Office in Hollins Lane. They need to ne returned to Church by 13th November.
Village Remembrance Service This will be in the Village Hall at 10.20am on Sunday 13th November
Just in case you are looking further forward the Forton Christmas Lights witch on will be at 6.30pm 2nd December
Best wishes,
Peter
