Category: Forest Church

Marking a trail

Following up on interest about Forest Church at the Christmas Tree Festival we will be meeting as usual 2pm on the 3rd Sunday outside the Crichton chapel.

We will meet in Christs name, read (text and natural environment), pray and worship. We will also explore the readings and our life experiences by spooling a story.

This creative response is inspired by the work of Hannah Lamb – read more about her here.

Hannah Lamb: Finding Meaning in Textile Art

Peace

All are welcome to meet in Christ’s name and share his peace. Whether you consider yourself a close friend, or are simply curious, all are welcome.

Prayer

Christ of the seven directions is with me

Christ above me to uplift me

Christ beneath me me to support me

Christ before me to guide me

Christ behind me to protect mec

Christ on my left to meet me

Christ on my right to greet me

Christ within me to strengthen me.

Reading from the bible

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸ He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ⁹ The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.^[b]

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to what was his own,^[c] and his own people did not accept him. ¹² But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,^[d] full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) ¹⁶ From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.^[e] 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who^[f] is close to the Father’s heart,^[g] who has made him known.

The Testimony of John the Baptist

¹⁹ This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” ²⁰ He confessed and did not deny it, but he confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”^[h] 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” ²² Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³ He said,

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ”

as the prophet Isaiah said.

²⁴ Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. ²⁵ They asked him, “Why, then, are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah,^[i] nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” ²⁶ John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, ²⁷ the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.” ²⁸ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Reading from creation and response (story spools)

Discussion

Blessing

In the full tide of the day and in its ebbing

In the rising of the sun and in its setting

The might God be with you

The loving God protect you

The holy God guide you

And the blessing of God the Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with us all, evermore, Amen

Sharing food and drink

(at Simon and Kate’s this month)