Dear Friends,

It occurred to me particularly this year, that the time of year marked by Remembrance, is quite closely followed by the season of Advent in the church calendar, a looking back and a looking forward

This is because Advent is not just the time before Christmas, but as the word means, a time to think of the coming of Jesus, both when he was born as one of us, and also when he will return in great glory as he himself has promised

We need this rhythm to encourage our faith and hope in the Lord Jesus, looking back to remember, looking forward in anticipation, and have the same help every month at Communion, when in remembrance we proclaim the death of Jesus until he comes again

This outlook should help our faith, and in turn strengthen us to live more fully in the light of knowing Jesus, since the years and the months and weeks fall in the bright hope of what God has done for us in him, more than what may be difficult in our lives or in our world

In so many things of life it helps us to remember, even when we are very sorely bereaved, it is a welcome thing when we can begin to look back and remember with less grief

Or in the course of any ordinary day, it is a help to have something to look forward to, and this need not be a treat, just setting out to do something practical can give us the focus we need

So in our faith, we can enjoy all the assurance which flows from the life, death and rising of Jesus, and we can enjoy his presence every day, while we also look forward to being in his presence forever

Your Pastor,
Gordon