Belhelvie Church - Sermons

Just four little words, but carrying a world of meaning. Spoken like a breath of fresh air into a locked room where the atmosphere is heavy and sour with fear. “Peace be with you” Jesus says. And then he shows them the wounds in his hands and his side. What did that mean for the disciples, and what does it mean for us today in the place of our real-life struggles? That’s what we’re exploring in this morning’s service. https://youtu.be/7mcvhevhn-c

Where does God meet us? On sea shore and mountain top? In the holy stillness of ancient churches and cathedrals? In quiet moments of beauty and contentment in the privacy of our own hearts? Yes. But not just there. Today’s story of the Road to Emmaus, drawn from the work of Fred Buechner, reminds us that, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear, God can also meet us on the rough ground of the uncertain pathways our lives can take. Right in the middle of our loss, doubt and confusion. The good news for today is that He also walks with us there. https://youtu.be/ks3FmnL9PsQ

"My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" We know that Jesus spoke those words from the cross but there's a whole world of meaning, within and beyond them, if you read them in their full context - which is Psalm 22, taken in its entirety. We're plumbing the depths of that Psalm this evening and finding reasons for an expansive hope, even among the desolation of the cross.

A 90’s pop band, Roger Moore, a huge breed of dog with a wee barrel of brandy around its neck, Southampton Football Club, spoof rock and roll front man David St Hubbins…… Do you see the connection yet? If not (or even, if yes!) watch on for a St Patrick’s day special! https://youtu.be/lNTDRVRVV5Y

It’s a gospel story that most of us know, or at least have heard of – the parable of the prodigal son. It tells the story of a Father whose youngest, having demanded his inheritance, turns his back on his family in pursuit of the high life. But when things go badly wrong there’s only one place he wants to be – back home. But how will he be received by his parents, and his older brother, having treated them so badly? Today, in the context of Mothers’ Day, we’re entering imaginatively into the story and hearing from the one person who doesn’t get a mention, but from whom we can learn a lot about the nature of God’s parental love. The boys’ mother. Today, she gets to tell us her story. https://youtu.be/rkp3inyUHls

Join us, and our local uniformed organisations, for our Founder’s Day and Thinking Day service. We’re reflecting on the theme ‘Our World, Our Thriving Future’. What does it mean to thrive? Given all that’s going on in our world, is it even realistic to use that word of our collective future? What does God have to say about it? What part we might have to play in making a more thriving future? Lots of questions and maybe even some answers in today’s service! https://youtu.be/hvP_oXWXup0

The parable of the Good Samaritan is a 2000 year old story, but the truths it brings are just as relevant now as they were then. What does God ask of us? Help people in need, regardless of who they are. Be willing to take a risk. Don’t let unhelpful social conventions get in the way of doing the right thing. Yes. You are your brother’s (and sister’s) keeper. So much in a few short lines. Join us as we take a modern look at an old old story this Sunday. https://youtu.be/u4s_PZjGv4k

Just a short story from Mark’s gospel this morning, but so much in it…. The need to take rest and know when enough is enough (even when you happen to be the Messiah); the hard reality that life rarely goes quite as we plan it; and the fact that whatever storms life throws at us, we don’t have to face them alone because God is with us. All that, plus a silly action song with the kids to enjoy. Another good morning at Belhelvie Church of Scotland. https://youtu.be/Vl-z4XpbhqM

What gives someone authority? Their job title or position? Their qualities as a person? Their age or seniority? In today’s reading, the crowds marvelled at Jesus teaching because he taught ‘with authority’. It wasn’t just wise words and good stories. He spoke and things happened; incredible things that pointed back to God as the source of his power. Today we’re remembering that actions speak louder than words and our profession, as Christians, will only have authenticity if it’s married with appropriate action. https://youtu.be/ejEHhF11gKE

A wee poetic reflection on the story of the Wise Men for this Epiphany Sunday. https://youtu.be/jGWjYxVPJpA

Some wee reflections to end the year, featuring the making of a Christmas Cake, a Christmas Song (or is it an anti-Christmas Song?) by Greg Lake, and a couple of seasonal poems by Tennyson.

‘When was it that we first forgot that questions help us grow?’ That’s a line from one of the hymns we sang this morning as we remembered the only story we have of Jesus’ life as a young man. Aged 12, having been to the Passover feast for possibly the first time, he stayed behind in Jerusalem - unbeknown to his parents – so he could hang around the Temple and have discussions with the scholars and priests there. Our question to the 12 year old Jesus this morning is ‘Why? What made you want to stay so badly that you forgot (or overlooked!) how worried your parents would be when they realised you were missing on the journey home?’ (Clue. It’s something about being in a community where genuine questioners and genuine questions are made welcome).

New year, new beginnings. What stars are you following as we move into 2023? Some thoughts on why the Wise Men were wise in our Epiphany Sunday morning service.

From the cradle to the grave, change is an unavoidable facet of life. How do we deal with it? How do we harness it for growth? Where is God in the middle of it? These are some of the themes we’ll be looking at this morning in our three cheeseboard stories.

Happy Christmas! A wee reflection on why we do Christmas Trees at Christmas, and a story about three particular trees long ago and how their dreams were fulfilled, but not in the way they might have expected.

We had a great time this morning reworking the ’12 Days of Christmas’ song to tell the Nativity Story and remind us why Jesus came to be with us all those years ago. You can join in with the fun by following the link below.

Christmas? It’s really for the children. Or is it? When you actually look at the Christmas story there are far more adults involved than children and if we focus on the baby who was born without remembering the man he became, we rob the incarnation of most of its meaning. This child who was born is the very same one they sent to the cross for challenging the powers of his day by bringing the message of God’s inclusive, radically forgiving love. That’s why we always celebrate communion during Advent. To help us remember that we can’t separate Christmas from Easter or the child in the manger from the man on the cross.

Our annual service of lessons and carols with the Bon Accord Silver Band leading our worship.

If the gospel is going to make any sense, it has to make sense in our real lives in all their complexity and contingency. That’s why I’m arguing this morning that Matthew’s account of the nativity is especially helpful. Luke gives us the Christmas bling (!) – the shine and the glory; Matthew reminds us that the light comes in the darkness of confusion, trouble and sadness – in other words, in the real world. Today’s sermon is a word for everyone for whom the ‘ideal’ of Christmas feels pretty far from their lived experience. Don’t lose hope. The light has come.

Today, the last day of the church year, is known as ‘Christ the King Sunday’. Today we used the story of The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe to remind us what kind of King was born all those years ago in Bethlehem as we prepare for his coming.