Ss. Simon & Jude, Cockshutt
“Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.”
C.S. Lewis
Ss. Simon & Jude Church, Cockshutt, held its annual Advent Sunday Service on Sunday 3rd December, 2023. The Church, its beauty in its imperfections, glowed with light, beckoning all to come and worship; the serene silhouette of the Holy Family reminding us what we are longing for during this Advent season. Despite the dreadful weather people from across the Parish ventured out from their warm firesides to partake in this wonderfully peaceful and reflective Service, which was led by Rev’d Edith Quirey (ret’d).
In keeping with Advent tradition, the Church had been pared back of all décor, thus providing the ambient setting for quiet thought and reflection. After a short reflection of what the season of Advent is, we joined together in singing the moving “Come, thou long expected Jesus”, after which the first candle of the Advent wreath was lit. Coloured Purple for royalty, this candle is also the symbol of HOPE; hope that the prophecies of Isaiah and promises by God, as laid out in the Old Testament, would be fulfilled by the birth of the Holy Baby.
As the Book of Common Prayer urges us to do each Sunday during Advent, we said the beautiful Advent Collect, after which we followed the well-known pattern of Bible lessons and hymns. We concluded with the beautiful “Lo! He comes with clouds descending”.
For the first time since the Summer, our organ was given a magnificent workout by our guest organist, Anthony Dowlan. It was so good to hear its pipes once again playing the glorious tunes of old!
Finally, Rev’d Quirey concluded with the Blessing; not the one as given on the sheet, but the Irish Blessing, in keeping with her Irish background:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home,
And may the land of a friend always be near. Amen.
Afterwards, we enjoyed a glass of mulled wine and mince pies before venturing back outside into the cold, pouring rain!
VJC
We have included a copy of the service sheet. Below you will find a gallery of photographs showing Rev’d Edith Quirey (ret’d) and Parishioners, before, during and after the Service and links to some of the Advent hymns.
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Come, thou long expected Jesus
Lo! He comes with clouds descending
Click on an image to see it in a larger size.
