Thessalon Pastoral Charge
Joseph’s story
Hello. My name is Joseph.
You’re here tonight to hear the story of my son…
Well… my step-son, I guess would be more accurate.
You see, it’s… complicated.
It started a few years ago, just after I was betrothed to a lovely young girl named Mary. Continue reading →
Posted in Church Life, Inspirational, Reflections and Messages, Uncategorized
Tagged Christmas
No doubt many of you have heard of “the war on Christmas”. Perhaps some of you even believe this so-called “war” is under way.
There are some who object to what they deem “political correctness run amok”, who decry any attempt to offer a seasonal greeting using any phrase other than “Merry Christmas.”
Apparently, to not say “Merry Christmas” is to attack the very foundations of our country, and even Christianity itself.
Sunday 13 December 201
Thessalon Pastoral Charge
“Fear not! For behold, I bring you good tidings of great JOY, which shall be to all people.”
This proclamation by the Angel, coming so early in the New Testament, sets the tone for the entire book.
JOY!
What is “Joy”?
According to the dictionary…
joy n 1. a feeling of great pleasure or happiness.
synonyms: delight, jubilation, exultation, elation, euphoria, bliss, ecstasy, rapture
The key is “great”. Not just regular “happiness”, which is fleeting, but GREAT happiness.
Reflection: “What is Peace”
Sunday 6 December 2015
David Root
Thessalon Pastoral Charge
What is “Peace”?
A few short weeks ago we commemorated Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First World War in 1918, the “war to end all wars”.
We also honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the war that followed, and the various wars and military conflicts that have taken place since then, up to the present day.
In fact, wars and conflicts are still occurring as we speak.
Is Peace, then, the absence of war? That is one definition, and one which is tenuous, at best. Continue reading →
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