Sanctuary First

Albert and James discuss “Broken Lives — Worth Mending”

Albert and James discuss our current theme: ‘Writing in the Dust’ and look ahead to future themes.

Sermon about Esau and Jacob and the folly of favouritism, the short sightedness of Esau, the trickery of Jacob, and the story of God in spite of all these things doing what he will because God’s love is unconditional. God loves us, God blesses us in spite of all, beyond all and through all. Preached by Rev. Colin C. Renwick minister at Dunblane Cathedral.

For many people Summer is the time for romance. So perhaps a romantic story in the right zone. This story may feel a bit off to those of who in the West but in many culture arranged marriages have worked for centuries. Abraham and Sarah are reaching the end of their lives and Abraham calls his faithful servant and instructs him to go back to the land of his ancestors in search of a wife for his son Isaac. The story unfolds in such a way to show that God works in our hearts and minds to lead us to the right people at the right time in order to fulfil his purposes. Eliezer suceeds in finding Isaac a bride but the family difficulties continue.

Genesis is all about personal and family relationships. Genesis 22.1-14 is an interesting passage to reflect on. You could say it’s about a father and son relationship that has the potential to go wrong. At a superficial level it appears God is testing Abraham to see if his loyalty to his long awaited son Isaac outstrips his love and devotion to him. In some ways it’s a difficult story because at first glance Abraham is contemplating child sacrifice. Traditionally this story has been seen by Christian commentators as a prefiguring of the death of Christ. God the father makes a way of atonement for sinful humanity. Jesus is the lamb of God, God’s solution to redeem a rebellious world.

Albert and James talk about their plans for Sanctuary First over the next couple of months.

Albert chats to Donald Scott about complex characters, especially those who are in prison. Donald is the chaplain at HMYOI Polmont.

Albert and Alec talk about the prayers Alec has written this week. The theme is the campfire. After a long day walking or trekking there’s nothing better than sitting round a campfire. For thousands of years human beings have found contentment by gathering around a fire and spending time together, in song, story or comfortable silence. Each daily worship is about a moment of profound peace or contentment, when the pieces have slotted together, it could be a few minutes, a summer, a split-second when something clicked into place…

Albert speaks with Jane Denniston, minister at Campsie Parish Church. Jane has been our prayer writer this week and has been writing about the belayer relationships. Out of all our relationships the one we sometimes value the most is the belayer relationship. Belaying is a technique climbers use. One person holds tension on the rope while the climber isn’t moving and then releases some slack when they need it to move. If the climber slips the person belaying can hold the rope tense again and stop the climber from falling far. On the journey through life you have to continually appreciate your friends and family who ‘belay’ for you. Cutting you slack and holding you back when you need it.

This week we are thinking about Foothills, those early adventures where play and imagination are as important as determination and endurance. As a child a trip up the hill in the local park can become a trek of survival against the odds to crest the highest peak… all before getting back in time for tea! Turning molehills into mountains is part of the fun of childhood.

In this podcast Albert talks about the challenges of staying the course as a Christian. The podcast is interspersed with the well known hymn, ‘He who would valiant be” performed by Albert, Iain and Colin Jamieson.

This is a delightful podcast written by Iain Jamieson and narrated by Alec Shuttleworth . It seems to tell the story of the birth of Jesus from the perspective of the Apostle John. John looks back over the years and recounts what he remembers of Mary and Joseph and in a shares how he misses the physical presence of Jesus. This is a must to listen to to capture a different perspective on Christmas.

Albert talks to Len Bennett about his trip to Israel to visit the Tabeetha School. Len also shares a song that takes him back down memory lane.

There was a Soldier is a show that is on at the Fringe. Liz and Mary talk about what inspired them to create this show.

Albert talks with Tim O’Connor from the band Ashton Lane. Tim is working as a volunteer to help relieve some of the stress that faces the 4000 refugees held in camps at Calais.

Albert speaks with Willie McCulloch, minister at St Andrew’s Church in Rome, about some of the things that have challenged and inspired him during his time of ministry in Rome.

Albert chats with Martin Robb who is a working hill farmer in Perthshire. They talk about the issues facing farmers and how the church can support farmers.

Jim Wallace speaks on Power.

Albert speaks to Norman Smith from the Church of Scotland’s Mission and Discipleship Council