At 8 a.m. there was a traditional Holy Communion - or so I'm told. I was one of the many who went to bed after midnight and didn't get up in time for such an early service.
I did make it for Sunrise!, the action-packed half hour for infant school and pre-school age chldren and their parents and carers. 38 of us joined in, fewer than most months, but that was to be expected with many families away on post Christmas holiday. After some rather vigorous action songs Sarah MacConnaughie told the well-known rhyme about the Grinch who stole Christmas, pointing out that it isn't the tinsel and the presents and the Christmas tree and the food that makes Christmas. Even when the Grinch had taken all those away the villagers could enjoy their Christmas, with singing and love for each other; and, as one of the children at Sunrise! pointed out, the real point is celebrating the coming of Jesus.
That was from 9.30 to 10, with coffee afterwards for the adults and drawing materials for the children to use. But some of the adults got busy straight away preparing for the main service of the morning. Centre-piece for this service was a tower made from giant Lego, to illustrate this bit of wisdom from the book of Proverbs:
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Why today? Well January 1st, as well as being New Year's Day, happens to be the 8th day after Christmas, the day when Mary's baby was given his name - Jesus.
So we looked at four names or titles given to him: Jesus, Messiah (which is the same meaning as Christ), Master, and Emmanuel.
They all have different and important meanings. If you want to read just what the meanings were I'll put what I said on the church website. It will probably be accessible at http://www.streetandwalton.co.uk/church/sermons.php
It was all designed for a gatherng of adults plus teenagers plus children, but the youngsters weren't there. Even so, the adults said they got something from it.
