St James' Church of Scotland

22 August 2021 is the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Over the past few weeks, the main Scripture has been from the Apostle Paul’s New Testament letter to the Ephesians. This week we are up to Ephesians, Chapter 6, Verses 10-20. “The Full Armour of God”.

Ephesians 6:10-20 (New International Version)
The Armour of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

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Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, from the New Testament, again provides the main source for this week’s service and sermon – 15 August 2021 – the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost.

Looking again at matters of time – the Greek word kairos makes a return – Rev. Geoff McKee considers time management issues for Christians and what we can do the ensure we are making the most of our lives from God’s perspective.

Below, you will find the main scripture for this week, the video service with prayes, songs and the sermon from Geoff. We conclude with a Musical Selection chosed by our organist and Musical Director, Katherine Robertson.

Main reading for this week

Ephesians 5:15-20 (New International Version)
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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We continue with our series on the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians on this Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – 08 August 2021.

The main reading is below and then a listing of the Order of Service for today, the video of the service conducted by Rev. Geoff McKee and a Musical Selection from our Director of Music, Katherine Robertson.

The accompanying photograph is an ‘archive’ image (no ‘social distancing markers’ on pews!) of the gentle light from the main stained glass window on the north wall of the Church.

We hope you find these materials useful and uplifting, and please give us your feedback.

Main scripture for today

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (New International Version)
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

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We continue our journey through the New Testament book of Ephesians on this the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, 01 August 2021.

The main text for today is Ephesians 4:1-16 – Paul’s words to the Church in Ephesus about the importance of unity in the Church. This is as resonant for the modern Church as it was 2000 years ago and yet much of the intervening history of the Christian Church has been of fracturing and disunity.

Below you will find the main Scripture, the Order of Service for today and then the embedded YouTube video recording of the service conducted by Rev. Geoff McKee – prayers, readings, hymns and the sermon.

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We’re in the New Testament Book of Ephesians for our main reading this week. It’s the Ninth week after Pentecost and we’ve been making our way through this letter of the Apostle Paul during the Seventh and Eighth weeks after Pentecost as well.

The theme this week is inclusion, drawing on Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians and J.K.Rowling’s ‘Cupboard Under The Stairs’, among other things.

Below, you will find the main scripture for this week, then the Order of Service with time stamps referring to the relevant points in the video of Rev. Geoff McKee’s morning service at St James’ for Sunday 25 July 2021. As an additional element, this week, there is the audio of Geoff’s Reflection (also in the video), with a link to an Amnesty International online article which features the image he discusses in his talk. Finally, you can find Katherine Robertson’s Musical Selection for this week, linking to a video on YouTube.

We are thankful that Moray has moved into “Level Zero” Covid-19 restrictions which means much wider access to Church of Scotland buildings than has existed for a while. It’s no longer necessary to make a prior booking through our Session Clerk, Susan McSheffrey, ahead of time in order to attend any of the services in the church.

The capacity of the church for services is now 107. Singing is permitted for all, but the congregation must wear masks at all times.

We hope very much to be able to welcome you in person to a Sunday Morning Service at St James’ before too long.

This week’s main reading

Ephesians 3:14-21 (New International Version)
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

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