Sermons And Gubbins

This sermon was given on Easter Sunday 2022. The Gospel was John 20:1-18 . Happy Easter to you! I n the beginning , the very beginning, the world was without form, and darkness covered the face of the deep. God spoke something different into that formless void, into the literal chaos. God spoke a word, and the word was light . In naming it, it came into being. On the first morning of the new creation, the world was dark. The sky had turned black on the Friday, and it was still dark when Mary came to the tomb. We expect great new things to start with a fanfare ; with fireworks and a party. They don’t. Things start in the dark. That’s when most births happen – for humans as well as animals – when it is night time and the sky is black. The world may seem a dark place today. It is still Easter; Easter always starts in the dark. The light of Easter  The thing about darkness, is it hides what’s really going on. Mary got to the tomb in the dark, and – although she could see t...

I wrote these words for a hymn a few years ago now. I found it an interesting exercise, trying to write something that could be sung communally. It's quite different to writing a poem (as a spoiler, by the way, I'm hoping to upload a new poem towards the end of Holy Week, so, if you like what I write, keep an eye out for that!)  When I wrote these words, I did have a specific tune in mind, but, really, I'd love them to have their own tune. If you're that way inclined, perhaps you'd like to have a go at composing a hymn-tune to fit? (All guesses as to the tune I had in mind are welcome in the comments, by the way!) Hope you enjoy. O, teach us to follow Your Way, Lord, as we go  Through life as we're working and resting. Your life - our ideal, and your words ever real; May we be to those 'round us a blessing. Let us take your love to those around us; To our family, colleagues and friends, May our care for creation surround us And ...