St Stephen's Church - Church of Scotland

Rev Maggie Whyte led worship on 3rd Sunday of Advent. You can watch our Service by following the link below.
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Sunday 17th December 2023. Rev. Maggie Whyte leads worship this morning at St. Stephen's, the third Sunday in advent.

🕯️ Advent Week 3 Joy

The third week of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin term that simply means “rejoice”. It is a time of rejoicing and celebrating the coming of Jesus Christ.

The third candle of the Advent wreath, also known as the Shepherd’s Candle, represents joy. It is called the Shepherd’s Candle to highlight the joy the shepherds experienced when they received the good news about Christ’s birth (Luke 2:8-20). It is often pink or rose-colored, while the other three candles are purple. Pink is associated with the spontaneous and celebratory nature of joy. This candle stands out from the other in that it’s more celebratory than contemplative as the others are.

Epictetus, a Greek philosopher who lived in the first century AD once said: “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters”

This quote is often used to emphasize the importance of our attitude and mindset in dealing with life’s challenges. It suggests that we should focus on our response to a situation rather than the situation itself. In other words, we should try to control our reactions to events, rather than trying to control the events themselves.

This idea is also supported by modern psychology. According to Dr. Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom”.

So, it’s important to remember that while we may not be able to control what happens to us, we can always control how we respond to it. By focusing on our response, we can develop a more positive attitude and mindset, which can help us deal with life’s challenges in a more effective way.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

🤟 Royce

Day 15 – The institution of daily yoga practice did wonders for the group’s emotional equilibrium in the wake of the fearful encounter.

✨ 🙌😆

Wishing our friend Gil a Very Happy 90th Birthday.
Love from all St S's Church Family # # #

Not every choice is a major one, and the decisions in which you think you made a mistake do not have to be felt as fatal. May you be given room to discover that God’s plans rarely, if ever, run in straight lines. Never be afraid to try something, even if it fails.

Day 14 – As usual, the camel was right.

Day 13 – Hezekiah voiced reservations about following the conveniently-illuminated “shortcut,” but his pleas fell on deaf ears.

We welcome new ideas of how we can be Church at St S's. Let us know your thoughts...
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😂

Day 12 – Communication proved impossible, as the large pig produced only an improbably loud squeak in response to all directional queries.

We would love to see you at any of our Service.
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May God remind you tonight that the end of The Great Story is that evil is vanquished, sorrow is swept away and pain is pushed back. Darkness does not win, the Light will shine forever. For those who put their trust in Christ, Hope is defiant, certain and eternal. Maranatha!

Day 11 – It was Melchior’s boundless optimism that the others found so endearing.

It's warm, it's friendly,it's open to all. Don't sit at home alone- join us at St S's for food, fun and friendship. 10.00am- 12.30pm Wednesdays in church hall. ☕🫖☕🫖☕
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Day 10 – The heavenly messenger was not at all what they had envisioned, but it was not the first time the journey had defied their expectations.

In the whirl of preparations for Christmas, may you walk slowly through Advent, remembering the promises of freedom for the People of God and the announcement of John that the Lamb of God would take our sins. May the gifts of hope and forgiveness lift your head.

I'm not a big Elf on the Shelf fan but,just wondering, has anyone tried this? 💕

Day 9 – Hezekiah privately believed that his was the most precious gift of all.
(Care to guess in which year THIS one first appeared? 😊)

more prayers and Bible studies at www.faithandworship.com

A few photos taken after our Reflect and Remember Service this evening.Thanks to Ian Sutherland for photos.
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Reflect & Remember Service at 6.30pm- recognising loss of any kind.😪
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Day 8 – No matter which way they pointed the telescope, the stars continually shifted when they gazed at the heavens.

2nd Sunday of Advent. Worship led by Rev. Maggie Whyte
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Sunday 10rh December 2023. Rev. Maggie Whyte leads worship this morning at St. Stephen's, the second Sunday in advent.

Please join us this week as we pray for Polmont Prison Visitors Centre, which offers a warm welcome, refreshments, support and advice for visitors at HMP & HMYOI Polmont.

You can find their specific prayer points at: www.crossreach.org.uk/resources/crossreach-prayer-app

Join us today at 11am for Morning Worship or at 6.30pm for our Reflect and Remember Service.
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