Faith-Hope-Love Online

20/03/2026

All set for our retreat today, this month reflecting on Peter and Judas, Pilate and Joseph.

24/12/2025

The fourth Advent candle symbolizes Love, often referred to as the Angel’s Candle. This candle reminds us that love isn't just a feeling or sentiment. Real love requires sacrifice. Read more about it here: https://wix.to/fiJND38

The fourth and final Advent candle represents Love, and it’s often called the Angel’s Candle. This candle really brings us to the heart of Christmas—why God sent Jesus in the first place: “For God so loved the world ..."

24/12/2025

While Advent is a season of reflection and hope, Gaudete Sunday stands apart. Let's embrace the joy it brings as we prepare for the coming of the Lord Jesus. Discover more about this significant day here: https://wix.to/ENbETV3

\While Advent is generally a season of waiting, penitence and preparation - a time when we slow down, reflect, and hold onto hope as we look forward to the coming of the Lord Jesus - the third Sunday of Advent - also known as Gaudete Sunday - stands out as different.

09/12/2025

The second Advent candle symbolizes Peace, reminding us of the night of Jesus' birth when angels proclaimed peace on earth. Dive deeper into this beautiful message in our latest blog post: https://wix.to/oc4gIW8

The second Advent candle stands for Peace and takes us directly to the night of Jesus' birth, when the angels celebrated by declaring: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on the earth be peace." But what kind of peace are we talking about?

06/12/2025

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, many churches light a new candle on the Advent wreath each Sunday. The first candle of Advent represents Hope, also called the “Prophecy Candle.” This theme takes us all the way back to the Old Testament ... Discover more in our latest blog post! https://wix.to/P3P5bjf

Traditionally, the four big themes of Advent are Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. The first candle reminds us of the Hope we have in Christ’s coming.

06/04/2025

Mary Magdalene will play a prominent role as a witness to Jesus’ burial and resurrection but for now let’s examine her nature and character.

Mary Magdalene will play a prominent role as a witness to Jesus’ burial & resurrection but for now let’s examine her nature & character.

18/03/2025

There lived in the village of Bethany a happy family. But sorrow may visit even the happiest homes. Join us in this Lent reflection as we witness Mary and her sister's time of testing and Jesus' first steps towards his final journey. Read more: https://wix.to/fHOTM9S

There lived in the village of Bethany a happy family. Alas, sorrow may visit even the happiest of homes. John 11 begins, "Lazarus was sick."

09/03/2025

It may seem peculiar to begin a Lent series – a time of fasting and repentance in preparation for the death of Jesus on the cross – with a song of joy proclaimed by Mary even before the birth of Jesus, but these reflections on the lives of three women known to us in the Gospels as Mary, will take us into Holy Week, I promise. Read more here: https://wix.to/s9zkrmY

It may seem peculiar to begin a Lent series with Mary's song of joy, but these 'Mary' reflections will take us into Holy Week, I promise.

25/12/2024

Luke 2:6-7 GW
While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to have her child. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there wasn’t any room for them in the inn.

May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary and the peace of the Christ-child be yours this Christmas; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.

24/12/2024

Luke 2:1-5 GW
At that time the Emperor Augustus ordered a census of the Roman Empire. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All the people went to register in the cities where their ancestors had lived. So Joseph went from Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a Judean city called Bethlehem. Joseph, a descendant of King David, went to Bethlehem because David had been born there. Joseph went there to register with Mary. She had been promised to him in marriage and was pregnant.

And so, on day 24, we finally reach the opening verses of Luke chapter 2; verses I first remember reading out in a school assembly when I was probably about 8 or 9: At that time the Emperor Augustus ... while Quirinus was the governor of Syria ... Joseph went to register with Mary.
It puzzled me even then as to the specifics quoted by Luke. Did Augustus hold so many censuses that Luke had to clarify?! Well it turns out that he did! But this one, of course, was significant in ways the Emperor of Rome could never have imagined. Because it forced a young man and woman to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, thereby fulfilling a prophecy given by Micah some eight hundred years previously.
There are so many Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus, especially around his birth and death. There's a part of me that might be tempted to shrug it off as 'well anything is possible for God', but there's a bigger part of me that is simply wowed by just how much of Jesus' birth was described beforehand. (And John the Baptist too, as we have seen in the past several days). Why?
I heard it described once, that prophecy is given to separate the significant from the coincidental. By telling his people - then and now - what would come to pass, God enables and encourages us to trust our faith in him.
I am here. You are loved. I care. I came. Therefore you can believe.