大象传媒

PLEASE NOTE: This script cannot exactly reflect the transmission, as it was prepared before the service was broadcast. It may include editorial notes prepared by the producer, and minor spelling and other errors that were corrected before the radio broadcast.It may contain gaps to be filled in at the time so that prayers may reflect the needs of the world, and changes may also be made at the last minute for timing reasons, or to reflect current events
Announcement from continuity:
鈥溾��now on 大象传媒 Radio 4 it鈥檚 time for this week鈥檚 Sunday Worship, which comes live from Llanishen Methodist Church in Cardiff. The preacher is the Revd Dr Stephen Wigley, chair of the Wales Synod of the Methodist Church. The service begins with the choir introit 鈥極pen Thou Mine Eyes鈥� by John Rutter.鈥�
ITEM 1: Choir Introit: Open Thou Mine Eyes 聽(J Rutter/L Andrewes)
ITEM 2a: Introduction Part 1 (SW)Good morning and welcome to Llanishen Methodist Church.聽Llanishen is a community on the outskirts of Cardiff, and one of the very earliest places in Wales which John Wesley was to visit when he began his ministry of outdoor preaching and evangelising. He wrote in his Journal for Thursday 4th March 1742 that 鈥楢bout noon I preached at Llanishen and was afterwards much refreshed in meeting the little earnest society.鈥� Much time has passed since then, but Llanishen remains, we hope, a thoughtful and engaged congregation at the heart of its local community, where we host a quiet garden run by Churches Together and a range of community activities across the year. We trust that you too will be 鈥榤uch refreshed鈥� as you share with us in worship this morning.
During this season of Advent, our Sunday Worship services have been picking up on some themes set out by Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, and so we hear now the first part of his reflections for today, on the challenge presented by John the Baptist:聽
ITEM 2b: Archbishop of Canterbury PART 1聽鈥淭he third week of Advent celebrates John the Baptist, whose entire life was dedicated to pointing to glory beyond himself: pointing to the life of Jesus sharing his delight and awe at what God was doing. Advent is profoundly challenging because it invites us to look, and point, away from ourselves. It calls us to prepare the way for someone else.The questions are insistent in Advent: Who is it in our communities that we need to make space for? Who is unseen? We need to lose our preoccupation with the castles of the world and remember the sheds.鈥�
ITEM 2c: Introduction Part 2 (SW)In a few moments, my colleague the Rev. Alana Lawrence who is minister of this church, will lead us in our opening prayers. But before that, our opening hymn, Isaac Watt鈥檚 great hymn of hope for the coming of Christ, 鈥楯oy to the world, the Lord is come鈥�.
ITEM 3: Hymn 1: Joy To The World
ITEM 4: Opening Prayers (AL)Creator God, you established your Kingdom on earth as in heaven, revealing your presence and your truth through your prophets and through holy scripture.聽All creation rightly sings your praise.聽
Incarnate Word, you entered this world outside the structures of power and heralded by a prophet in the wilderness, through your life, death and resurrection revealing God鈥檚 unconditional love and restoring us into right relationship with God and each other.聽We worship you as Saviour and Lord.
Lifegiving Spirit, ever moving through creation, you inspire the prophets to proclaim God鈥檚 truth, you bring forth the Church into being, and you transform and renew the face of the earth. You open hearts and minds with the flame of your love and your transforming power. We worship you and praise you as the well spring of eternal life.
How may we stand before you, glorious lifegiving and ever-loving God?聽We confess the times when we deny your life and limit your love; when we judge ourselves and others against the standards of this world; a world in which power and wealth are praised and poverty and vulnerability condemned; a world in which building walls and denying hospitality are deemed wisdom; a world where to be different and other is to be dismissed and ridiculed.
What can we say to you? That we are sorry.聽
What can we do for you? May we be sent out into the world as instruments of your peace and workers for your Kingdom; that your will be done and your truth be known; that you are a God of love, and that your Kingdom is one of justice, mercy, compassion and peace, where all are welcome and the least and lowest are honoured as children of God.聽We ask this as we say the prayer that Jesus taught us, praying;
ITEM 5: Lord鈥檚 Prayer (AL + Choir)
Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come;聽thy will be done;on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation;but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,the power and the glory,for ever and ever. Amen. ITEM 6a: Introduction to Reading 1 (AL)
Our Old Testament reading is from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 35, and speaks of the longing of God鈥檚 people to return home from their long exile.
ITEM 6b: Reading 1聽
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,聽 聽 the desert shall rejoice and blossom;like the crocus, it shall blossom abundantly,聽 聽 and rejoice with joy and singing.The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,聽 聽 the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.They shall see the glory of the Lord,聽 聽 the majesty of our God.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,聽 聽 and the ears of the deaf unstopped;then the lame shall leap like a deer,聽 聽 and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
A highway shall be there,聽 聽 and it shall be called the Holy Way;the unclean shall not travel on it,聽 聽 but it shall be for God鈥檚 people;聽 聽 no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray.No lion shall be there,聽 聽 nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;they shall not be found there,聽 聽 but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,聽 聽 and come to Zion with singing;everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;聽 聽 they shall obtain joy and gladness,聽 聽 and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
ITEM 7: Chorus 鈥極 Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion鈥�

ITEM 8a: Introduction to Reading 2 (AL)
Our reading from Psalm 146 speaks of Israel鈥檚 hope in God, and trust in the justice that will come with his Kingdom.
ITEM 8b: Reading 2 : Psalm 146 5-10 (Paul Demery)
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,聽 聽 whose hope is in the Lord their God,who made heaven and earth,聽 聽 the sea, and all that is in them;who keeps faith forever;聽 聽 who executes justice for the oppressed;聽 聽 who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;聽 聽 聽the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;聽 聽 the Lord loves the righteous.The Lord watches over the strangers;聽 聽 he upholds the orphan and the widow,聽 聽 but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
The Lord will reign forever,聽 聽 your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!
ITEM 9: Hymn 2: Hark The Glad Sound The Saviour Comes

ITEM 10a: Introduction to Reading 3 (AL)Our Gospel reading is from Matthew chapter 11 and introduces us to the figure of John the Baptist, just as John from his prison cell is hearing the news of Jesus鈥� ministry.

ITEM 10b: Reading 3: Matthew 11 2-11聽
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, 鈥楢re you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?鈥� Jesus answered them, 鈥楪o and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.鈥�
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: 鈥榃hat did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,
鈥淪ee, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,聽 聽 who will prepare your way before you.鈥�
Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
ITEM 11: Address PART 1 (SW)
There are some things that have been a little different in the run-up to Christmas this year. It鈥檚 not usually the case that nativity plays and carol services have to compete for attention with political debates and arrangements for a general election, though I suppose this may give us cause to see the 鈥榗ensus at Bethlehem鈥� in a new light in years to come.
But many other seasonal trappings remain much the same, and that鈥檚 true of the elaborate Christmas adverts shown on TV, appearing first in mid-November to the kind of critical scrutiny usually accorded films at the Oscars, before becoming ever more or even over familiar to us.聽
They introduce us to all kinds of new characters, which this year have included figures from the film Frozen 2, a fire-breathing pet dragon and a rubber dinosaur.
However, none of the adverts so far have included one character who is firmly part of the biblical story and the coming of Christ - and that鈥檚 the figure of John the Baptist. On the face of it it鈥檚 easy to see why John is unlikely to feature. A man who emerges rough-shaven from the desert wearing little more than a camel-skin and living on a diet of locusts and wild honey is hardly likely to persuade thousands of viewers to spend yet more money on expensive toiletries, cuddly jumpers or fancy food to have at the Christmas party.
Yet John features in all the Gospel accounts as the figure above all who prepares the way for the coming of Christ. In Mark and John鈥檚 account, it is when Jesus comes to be baptised by John that he becomes fully aware of God鈥檚 calling and purpose for him. In Luke鈥檚 Gospel, John is made a member of the family, in that his mother Elizabeth is the one who meets and greets Mary when she discovers the news that she is with child. And here in Matthew鈥檚 account, we read how even when in prison, John is watching and waiting to see whether this young man he has baptised is indeed the one whose coming he has proclaimed, God鈥檚 chosen one to bring in his Kingdom.
It鈥檚 worth noting that John is in prison. For that account of him emerging rough-shaven from the desert is not about his presenting some kind of alternative fashion statement; rather it鈥檚 to identify him as a prophetic figure, coming out of the wilderness like Elijah and Elisha before him. And the role of prophets like these is to speak truth to power, to challenge the authorities of his day when they have behaved corruptly and ignored the claims of God鈥檚 justice and righteousness.聽
That鈥檚 what John has been doing, and that鈥檚 why he鈥檚 ended up in prison, as King Herod starts to get very uneasy about John鈥檚 criticism not just of his regime but also his personal failings. For John the Baptist, like the prophets before him, comes not to let rich folk sit comfortably in their homes or at their tables while others struggle and starve; but to point out the things that have gone wrong and challenge those with power and influence to use it - and to change things.聽
The impact of that change is reflected in James Macmillan鈥檚 setting of 鈥極 radiant dawn鈥�, one of the "Great O" antiphons which are traditionally used on the seven days approaching Christmas.
ITEM 12: Anthem: 鈥極 Radiant Dawn鈥�

ITEM 13: Address PART 2 (SW)
As we鈥檝e heard, our Gospel reading tells how even in prison John is watching and waiting, wanting confirmation that this Jesus is indeed the one whose coming he has foretold. He sends his disciples to ask, 鈥楢re you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?鈥�
Jesus鈥檚 response is fascinating. He doesn鈥檛 offer his credentials, provide a testimonial or refer to the crowd鈥檚 acclamation. Instead he points to the signs of the Kingdom evidenced around him. 鈥楪o tell John what you hear and see; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.鈥� The answer to John鈥檚 question can be found in Jesus鈥� ministry, for to know Christ is to welcome the coming of God鈥檚 Kingdom. It鈥檚 John鈥檚 recognition of that crucial truth which enables Jesus to speak of his being 鈥榤ore than a prophet鈥�, indeed the messenger and forerunner of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke.
It also demonstrates just why John remains such a central figure in the Christmas story, and why we remember him on this 3rd Sunday in Advent. John鈥檚 role is to remind us that the coming of Christ is not just a heart-warming story about the birth of a baby; it鈥檚 about the coming of God鈥檚 kingdom. It鈥檚 about making crooked roads straight and rough places smooth, as we hear from John himself, quoting from the prophet Isaiah about the return of God鈥檚 people from exile.
But this time, it鈥檚 not so much a case of coming home as returning to the roots of their faith, to a restored relationship with God and a renewed commitment to God鈥檚 ways of justice and righteousness. That鈥檚 the kingdom for which John comes to prepare the way, and that鈥檚 the kingdom which Jesus proclaims when he begins his ministry and calls disciples to follow him. And this is where it gets personal for us in our call to discipleship today.
For John reminds us that there can be no justice without judgment and a calling to account in the presence of a holy and righteous God; and that there can be no tidings of comfort and joy in the birth of a baby in Bethlehem, without a willingness to welcome the coming of God鈥檚 kingdom of justice and peace into our lives and into our world, with all its crises and challenges.聽
There鈥檚 a well-known poem by the African-American theologian and civil rights leader Howard Thurman which puts it beautifully, contrasting the celebrations with the real work of Christmas.
When the song of the angels is stilled,When the star in the sky is gone,When the kings and the princes are home,When the shepherds are back with their flock,The work of Christmas begins:To find the lost, to heal the broken,To feed the hungry, to release the prisoner,To rebuild the nations,To bring peace among brothers,To make music in the heart.
John reminds us that all the celebrations in the world are incomplete without also a sharing in the work of Christmas, and the bringing in of Christ鈥檚 kingdom. That鈥檚 why John鈥檚 message goes beyond talk about changing 鈥榯hings鈥�; he comes to challenge and to change us.
ITEM 14a: Introduction to Prayers PART 1聽In his reflections, Archbishop Justin reminds us of the Baptist鈥檚 challenge to look beyond ourselves and our own needs.
ITEM 14b: Archbishop of Canterbury PART 2
ITEM 14c: Introduction to Prayers PART 2So in our prayers of intercession we pray for others; for the world, for the Church, and for all those who stand in special need at this time. ITEM 14d: Prayer 1God of love, we pray for people around the world caught up in war, poverty and natural disasters, including all those caught up in the White Island eruption in New Zealand. We think of those forced to leave their homes and seek refuge within and beyond the borders of their countries. May the world鈥檚 leaders find the courage to face the challenges presented by climate change, economic and political instability, with justice and compassion, that the displaced and marginalised may be received with transforming hospitality wherever they may be.
Especially this day, we pray for our new Government and for all those recently elected to Parliament; may they serve us faithfully and govern us wisely though the challenges which lie ahead.
ITEM 14e: Sung Response (Choir):Christ be our light
ITEM 14f: Prayer 2聽God of life, we pray for your Church throughout the world during this Advent time. May we wait and work with those who long for justice, may we offer hope to those who despair that nothing will ever change, may we bring peace where there is conflict and war, and may we bring the light of the world into the darkness that surrounds us.
ITEM 14g: Sung Response (Choir):Christ be our ligh
ITEM 14h: Prayer 3聽God of compassion, we pray for those who are ill, in hospital or at home, for those who are anxious and troubled or in need, and for all who grieve. May they know your loving presence with them; give them your peace which surpasses all our understanding and grant that they may see you face to face in this life and in the world to come.
ITEM 14i: Sung Response (Choir):Christ be our light!
ITEM 14j: Final Prayer聽All these our prayers we ask in Christ鈥檚 name and for the sake of his coming kingdom.聽
Our final hymn speaks of the longing for God鈥檚 kingdom of justice and joy, in James Montgomery鈥檚 鈥楬ail to the Lord鈥檚 anointed.鈥�
ITEM 15: Hymn 3: 鈥楬ail To the Lord鈥檚 Anointed鈥�

ITEM 16: Blessing (SW)May the Lord bless us and keep us,May the cause his face to shine upon usAnd be gracious to us;May the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon us,And give us peace.
And may the blessing of God,The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,Be with us now and always,
Amen.

ITEM 17: Organ PostludeBach chorale prelude: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme BWV 645
Closing Announcement:Organist David Geoffrey Thomas bringing this morning鈥檚 live Sunday Worship to a close with Bach鈥檚 chorale prelude 鈥淲achet auf, ruft uns die Stimme.鈥� The Cardiff Polyphonic Choir was conducted by David Young; the service was led by the Revd Alana Lawrence; and the preacher was the chair of the Wales Synod of the Methodist Church, the Revd Stephen Wigley. The producer was Dominic Jewel.
A link to the Archbishop of Canterbury鈥檚 Advent and Christmas themes, 鈥楩ollow the Star鈥�, can be found on the Sunday Worship web page.
Next week Sunday Worship visits Fisherwick Presbyterian Church in Belfast with the choir of Methodist College singing such favourites as While Shepherd鈥檚 watched, Silent Night, and Tomorrow shall be my dancing Day.