Easter energises us spiritually. The stone was not rolled away to let Jesus out. His resurrected body didn’t need that, as his later appearances were to demonstrate. No, it was rolled away to let us in; to show us, as it showed the disciples, that the resurrection is not wishful thinking. It is a reality, then, now and always. Jesus did not come back to life; he was not a survivor. No, the resurrection is so much more than that. Jesus moved through death and defeated it, once for all, so that we need have no fear of it.

The resurrection is not just an interesting incident to read about; it is a reality; it is a life-changer; it is the fulfilment of all Jesus spoke about during his ministry; everything Isaiah and the prophets envisioned. When God’s love and man’s sin battled at the cross, God’s love won and continues to win in the risen Christ.

So, brothers and sisters in Christ, welcome to our gathering of the forgetful and the doubtful, the far from perfect community of disciples that is united with the women and all followers of Jesus in his life, death, and resurrection. His resurrection has happened to us and God is at work in each of us now, working to accomplish salvation. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead in that garden has begun God’s new creation.

Alleluia! The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

This post is the final section of the sermon preached by the Rev Carol Latimer at St Serf’s, Burntisland on Easter Day, 20 April 2025. You can read the whole sermon at this link.

The post title, chosen by your webmaster, also reflects a line in the hymn we sang on Good Friday – “There is a green hill”.

Photo by Pisit Heng on Unsplash.

At Morning Worship last Sunday (2 March) we celebrated our 109th Church Anniversary with the help of our friend Professor John Sawkins. John had chosen hymns broadly on the theme of our journey as Christians, four of which had associations with previous significant moments in the church’s story. His all-age address was on “Baggage”, with a packed suitcase illustrating both essentials and unnecessary extras best left behind, and his sermon continued the theme: “What are the essential pieces of baggage that we, as people who follow Christ, need?”

In bringing to life his text from 2 Corinthians 5:19 – “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself” – John offered two answers to the question he had posed (the Bible, and faith in Jesus Christ) and concluded his sermon with these challenging words:

“Throughout its history, this church congregation, wherever it has met, had offered not just rooms to let and a place to meet.

“This church congregation has offered good news that opens up the possibility of new beginnings for everyone, whoever they are, whatever their circumstances are, whatever age or stage of life they are at.

“So as you, as we, step into a new year as a church congregation, let us resolve to live out in mission and service the good news of Jesus Christ,

– in the way in which we welcome people,

– the way in which we treat people,

– the way in which we respect people,

– the way in which we build people up,

– the way in which we forgive people,

– and perhaps most of all, the ways in which we tell people that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.”

“Thanks be to God for his great love in Christ. Amen.”

You’ll want to read the whole sermon, which you’ll find at this link,

Photo by Mantas Hesthaven on Unsplash

In the service that Lyn Smalridge carefully crafted for our Morning Worship on the fourth Sunday in Advent, he incorporated three reflections, the last of which we’ve printed below, but we encourage you to read the whole story, available at this link:

In the twelfth century, Bernard of Clairvaux, who was the founder of the Cistercian order of monks, said Christ comes to us in three different ways: firstly, in Bethlehem at Christmas; secondly, at the end of the age; thirdly, in the lives of believers every single day.

So, in these weeks leading up to Christmas, we reflect on the Advent of the past – the Incarnation – and on the Advent of the future – when Christ returns in glory – but we also need to be aware of the Advent now! Here! In the present!

At some point this Christmas in our house we will probably watch again for the umpteenth time the film Love Actually. And you will remember how Billy Mack an aging rock star, brilliantly played by Bill Nighy, tries to make a comeback by recording a version of the old Troggs song Love is all around: “I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes, Love that’s all around me and so the feeling grows” Except that, in Billy Mack’s version, he sings “Christmas is all around”.

But, in a very real sense, love is all around. Because Christ is all around, in every moment; because, as Father Richard Rohr says, “We cannot not be in the presence. The presence is infinite, always, everywhere and forever.”

The problem is that we are not present to the presence! We are somewhere else – living in the past, or worrying about the future – and missing Jesus in the here and now.

The end of this Advent season can be full of pressures: “Will that Amazon delivery come in time?”; “Did I remember to order the turkey?”; “I got a card from … but haven’t sent one back!” In all the busyness, tinsel and lights, we can miss out on Advent now!

So, for now, let’s pause and take a moment to experience the Eternal Advent, the Advent of now and always; take a moment to be still and be present to the Presence. God is incarnate in every moment, not just at Christmas. Emmanuel – God with us – Jesus – truly is all around. Love is all around!

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash.

Last Sunday (22 September), some were attending the Scottish Methodist Gathering in Stirling, so  our morning service – “The Rosyth Gathering” –took a rather different and less formal character. Held in the Church Lounge, our songs were interspersed by prayers from Mary Kidd, and Ann White shared some thoughts about Jeremiah.

We were asked: “What do you know about Jeremiah? Who was he? What did he do?” and Ann went on to describe his life: “… in a cistern … in prison … prophesied about Babylonian invasion … didn’t have a very good life. But things were about to take a turn for the better”, as we learnt when Ken read from Jeremiah 32:6–15: “Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land”. Ann went on …

“However, when the Babylonians did come, he was allowed to stay behind, and he met God in many unexpected places. He went to the potter’s house when he needed to leave the hustle and bustle behind, and his spirit was renewed.

“When I was in ministry, there were many times when  I needed to have my spirit renewed. A member of my first congregation was a healing touch practitioner. I didn’t really know what healing touch is, but I went along to find out. Healing touch has a bit of a false name, because the practitioner doesn’t actually touch you, but rather he/she acts as a conduit for the Holy Spirit to minister to you.

“I don’t see a healing touch person these days, but I still take quiet time to relax in God’s presence. For me it is no longer the potter’s house I go to, but I sit on the end of my bed and gaze on God’s handiwork in the garden. Now don’t get over-excited! If you have ever seen Mary’s garden, it is nothing like mine – I just plant up some pots at the beginning of summer and by this time of year God’s handiwork fills them with weeds!

“I’ve always felt a connection with Jeremiah having a place to go where God’s spirit can wash over me. A friend has a prayer chair where she sits in God’s presence. Do you have a place to sit in God’s presence? It doesn’t matter where it is. As long as you can feel close to God. And God will come close to you. Amen.”

In the time of sharing that followed, others told of ways, places and times where God had made Himself known to them, and we felt His presence amongst us.

The second Sunday running on which we had benefitted from a rather different and memorable time of worship. Our time together was completed by the fellowship lunch that followed – heartfelt thanks to Lorraine Wilkinson for a splendid spread!

You can read Ann’s thoughts in a printable form at this link.

Photo by Beth Macdonald on Unsplash

On 15 September, our service of Morning Worship was led by Deacon Natalie Clark. Our devotions centred about the very pointed question that Christ put to his disciples in the Gospel reading (Mark 8:27–38) that was translated for us as “But you, who do you say that I am?”.

As part of our worship Natalie used the set of pictures of Christ from a wide range of times, places and styles, depicting his incarnation, passion, and resurrected life that has been produced by the St Clare’s at the Cathedral Community in Coventry. We were each invited to select a picture that spoke to us, and to reflect on it, and later some of us were asked to share those reflections. Altogether a very thought-provoking and inspirational service.

Why not take a look at the images at this link and think about your answer to Christ’s question? Where does this lead you? and us as a community?

A rich variety of translations of Mark 8:29 can be found at this link.