Dear Friends
On the one hand I tell myself, “I am basically alright, I don’t do any of the serious sins,” because I betray my prejudice and do not consider self-righteousness, judgment of others nor self-centredness as serious. So I turn, on the other hand, to the other extreme, “I cannot change, there’s no hope for me.” And flipping from extreme to extreme I fail to see the Truth, I am made in the image of God but I have fallen short, I am loved by God but he wants me to change, to repent, I have the potential to be a saint but I must apply myself to get there.
The Christian life is strange and difficult for our world. We are called to live a life of repentance and of service where there are no promises of riches nor health in this life. We are called to live the Christian life where each day is a battle against the sin within me, to constantly turn to the Lord even against my own desires. This was put beautifully by the Apostle Paul who said,
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
Romans 7:15
We are called, each one of us, to turn back to the Lord. Today. Now. And it is a constant battle we wage where we need to avoid the extreme of “I’m alright” and the extreme of “there’s no hope.” And when we fail, when we fall, we get back up again saying “Lord, help me.” Our failings may be often—moment by moment even—but our value for the Lord is not shown if we are perfect since only God is perfect, rather in that we turn towards him when we are down and continue our journey in neither self-righteousness nor self-pity.
May this day be the day we turn again to the Lord: then it has been for our salvation.
As part of our measures against Covid-19, we strongly request all who attend our services to take a lateral flow test.
Christmas Services
at St Francis’ Hall
Friday 24th December
6.30 pm Vespers of the Nativity
Saturday 25th December
9.30 am Divine Liturgy of the Nativity
Sunday 26th December
9.30 am Divine Liturgy of the Synaxis (Gathering) of the Mother of God
We regret there will be no evening service on Saturday 25th December
All Welcome! Come and See!
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Sermon
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen.
A meal is, perhaps, the last natural sacrament of our society: even those who are atheists, on special occasions, will put a cloth over a table, decorate it with candles and flowers and dress in their best clothes. This is more than just about sustenance and nutrition, more than the mere fact of eating and drinking, this is about an occasion, an event—it is still a profoundly religious event even in our secular society, it is sacred, it is a mystery.
Sharing a meal together unites us with all meals and with all peoples: we share together. And this most beautiful of gifts to humanity from God is used throughout Scriptures as an image of eternity—the Heavenly Banquet. The Lord sends out his servant, his very Image Jesus Christ, into the world and calls all to come to the feast. And yet those who are invited make excuses.
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Read last Sunday’s sermon, The Heavenly Banquet.
Archive of Past Sermons.
Services this week
Friday 17th December
Discussion on the book of Genesis, 8 pm
Online only
Saturday 18th December
Vespers, 6.30 pm
At St Francis’ Hall, Eastleigh
Sunday 19th December
Divine Liturgy, 9.30 am
At St Francis’ Hall, Eastleigh
Online session is via Google Meet: please get in contact for the details.
As part of our measures against Covid-19, we strongly request all who attend our services to take a lateral flow test.
Please join us: all are welcome, come and see.
Attending Church
We will be meeting at St Francis’ Hall, Nightingale Avenue, Eastleigh, SO50 9JA. It is presently a requirement that you wear a mask unless exempt. Come and See.
Can I help you?
I am here for you, you need only ask. Is there a way I can support your life of faith? Get in touch.
Can you help the mission?
Yes, absolutely. Offer yourselves to the Lord: pray! Make available to him all your talents and ask him how he would like you to use them — listen for his reply.
Your prayers!
With love in Christ
Fr Alexander
[email protected]