‘We can come to this ser¬vice with minds full of OUR plans: things WE think WE should be doing. But I believe the real point of this Covenant Service is that we are to actively do, or patiently accept, whatever is God's will for us in this New Year.’

While this year may have felt pretty bleak I encourage you to look for the signs of light and hope in the world. For if you look, you will surely find them.

Mary’s story is about learning to accept what God wanted for her life – a complete contrast to the demanding and asking for what we want that accompanies so much of the contemporary atmosphere of Christmas.

At the end of the day, our hopes and fears won’t be met by politics;

or by science & vaccines; not by economics or wealth; not by education but ‘The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee - JESUS!’

'This advent, let us bring glory to God by proclaiming the good news, by being good examples, or by our good deeds. This is the gospel we have to proclaim.'

On this first Sunday of Advent when we focus on the hope that God gives to us, whilst we remember the light of the world that stepped down into darkness, let us, like those from our psalm, pray together today and throughout this advent season…

Revd Gordon Newton - 'Humanity Limited: God Limited' by Methodist Central Hall, Westminster

Podcast #8 - Revd Lansford Penn-Timity - 'War is never the best way to solve a problem' by Methodist Central Hall, Westminster

You see, there can be no sting in death, when a person is in Christ. because Christ has taken out the sting in death. There can be no victory in the grave for Christ will one day empty the graves and bring forth his people in resurrection power.

Perhaps the ‘saints’ then, are down to earth ‘good guys’;

authentic sisters and brothers in Christ, who are responding to His teaching, and seeking to lead a life worthy of God; people through whom the light shines through, as they seek to make a difference in the world and be a blessing to others.