Online Worship

Welcome to the online service of worship for the Second Sunday of Ephiphany The YouTube playlist may be found here or view below.

MAYFIELD SALISBURY PARISH CHURCH
EDINBURGH

Sunday Services of Public Worship
Online from 8.00am (onwards) Every Sunday

Sunday 17 January 2021

Second Sunday of Epiphany

Your hand, O God, has guided 
your flock from age to age; 
the wondrous tale is written 
full clear on every page; 
your people owned your goodness,
 and we their deeds record; 
and both of this bear witness, 
one church, one Faith, one Lord.

Your mercy will not fail us, 
nor leave your work undone; 
with your right hand to help us, 
your victory shall be won; 
by mortals and by angels 
your name shall be adored, 
and this shall be their anthem, 
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.
(Amended)

Edward Hayes Plumptre (1821 – 1891)

AS A DIVERSE PEOPLE, THE CHURCH GATHERS TO WORSHIP ALMIGHTY GOD

Notice and Welcome
Charles Garland and Revd Helen Alexander

CHARLES GARLAND - Today is a special day for all of us at Mayfield Salisbury. I am the Session Clerk, Charles Garland, and before we begin our service I would like to say a few words of thanks.

Thanks in advance to our Minister Elect, the Revd Dr Sandy Forsyth, whose induction will take place at 4 o’clock this afternoon. We look forward very much to your being with us as our minister.

But as we look forwards it is right that we look back too. Today’s celebrants, the Revd Helen Alexander and the Revd Neil Gardner, joined us in October 2019 at the start of the vacancy.

Helen quickly became known to us though her regular taking of our worship: her role as locum preacher accurately highlights her preaching, and she has consistently offered us stimulating, imaginative, perceptive sermons. But so much more: she has taken time to get to know us, both members of the congregation and the staff team, in ways which we deeply appreciate. I can assure you, Helen, that we have not felt a sense of vacancy if that implies an absence - rather we have had the real benefit of your presence with us. And that includes the staff, with whom you have held weekly meetings behind the scenes, latterly on Zoom, to co-ordinate all aspects of worship, including the music and singing. Yes, we still remember when we could sing! You took the sudden move to online worship in March in your stride and us with you, and the online services have become familiar and welcome to us as, once again, we are unable to gather in the sanctuary. We are very grateful for all your care of us.

Neil, as Interim Moderator, has guided us to today. His calm support and wise counsel to the Nominating Committee - which was no sooner set up than the lockdown began - was invaluable in getting us to where we are. We are indebted to you for your hand on the tiller when the storms seemed to be hitting us from all directions. Equally, your moderation of our Kirk Session meetings has enabled a busy and active group of elders to keep up their work throughout these recent extraordinary conditions. We are most grateful for the way you have created a new ‘normal’ for us to conduct Session business by virtual means and we are stronger for it. It has been a pleasure to have you overseeing our move to our next minister.

I know also that you have long associations with Mayfield Salisbury and, as we look back with thanks, we look forward to continuing those associations with both of you. As an appreciation of all you have done for us we offer a token of thanks to each of you, from us all, as we say farewell, and we hope very much to see you both again soon.

Now, as I am required to do, I read out an edict from the Presbytery Clerk which relates to Dr Forsyth’s induction this afternoon.

NOTICE OF INDUCTION
Notice is hereby given that the Presbytery of Edinburgh has received a Call from this congregation of Mayfield Salisbury addressed to the Revd Dr Alexander Forsyth, to be the new minister of this church and parish. This Call has been sustained as a regular Call, and has been accepted by him. The Presbytery, having judged the said Dr Forsyth qualified for the ministry of the Gospel and for this charge, has resolved to proceed to his induction on Sunday 17th day of January 2021 at 4pm on Zoom.

Notice is given that if any member of this congregation of Mayfield Salisbury, has objection to the life or doctrine of the said Dr Forsyth you should intimate your objection at the earliest opportunity to the Presbytery Clerk. If you do this, you will also need to submit to the Presbytery Clerk appropriate evidence to substantiate your objection.

The Presbytery is to meet at 3.50pm on 17th January 2021 on Zoom. If an objection is not notified in advance but is first brought at that meeting the objector must satisfy the Presbytery that there was no earlier opportunity to bring the objection to the attention of the Presbytery Clerk. Unless a substantiated objection is made which is then upheld, the Presbytery shall proceed to the induction of the said Revd Dr Alexander Forsyth without further delay.

By order of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, Revd Marjory McPherson, Presbytery Clerk.

REVD HELEN ALEXANDER - I add my welcome to that of the Session Clerk to the members and friends of the congregation of Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church and to others who may be joining us in our worship online for the 2nd Sunday in Epiphany. I very much appreciate the kind gift and words of thanks, and wish Congregation and new Minister all inspiration and success in the future.

I invite you all to join me now in a short period of silence in preparation for worship.

Silence

Scripture Sentences

O send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling.

For it is the God who said ‘Let light shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray
Almighty God we thank you that we come into your presence not to be blinded by the light of your glory, but to receive glimpses of the grace of Jesus Christ in whom we make our prayer.
By the light of his loving kindness, draw from us the confessions of our hearts: thoughts or actions of which we may be ashamed; failures in word and deed; regrets that would bind us, and blind us to the possibilities of new beginnings. Hear us as in silence we make our prayer in the confidence of the light that streams from heaven’s gates…….

Almighty God, help us by your Holy Spirit to receive the assurance of your forgiving grace; shine the light of that grace on the darkness of our sadness or despair ; breathe hope into hearts that may have become deadened by the pain of loss or fear; and shed Christ’s sweet influence upon us throughout this day and in the days that lie ahead, that guided by your light as sons and daughters of the kingdom of that light we may dare to open to the world around us in imagination and appreciation of all goodness and encouragement that awaits us; for your love’s sake.

Collect for the Day
Almighty God who sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to be the light of the world, grant that your people may shine with the radiance of his glory that he may be known, worshipped and obeyed to the ends of the earth; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Children’s Address Revd Helen Alexander

Helen on video: Hello to all the children and young people listening in. I’m Helen, the minister who has been with Mayfield Salisbury for over a year now. Today is a very special one for all at Mayfield Salisbury and I’ll tell you why in a few moments. But first, I want to ask you a question. Do you know what the word ‘minister’ means? It comes from a Latin word meaning ‘to serve’. So when we speak of the Minister of a church we mean the person who has been appointed to ‘serve’ the congregation. This means that he or she is there to help the members of the church to worship God, and to encourage everyone in the church be there for one another and for everyone else who lives nearby.

bill

I want to tell you about some ministers who have served Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church in the recent past. First here’s The Very Revd Dr William McDonald. He was Minister from 1959 until his retirement in 1992. That’s a long ministry of over thirty years! Dr McDonald was much admired and loved. His sermons – that’s the weekly talks that the minister gives to the congregation - were very interesting and drew lots of people to the church. The photograph you can see was taken when Dr McDonald was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1989. This is a great honour. In the picture you may be able to see the traditional white lace he’s wearing and the Moderator’s ring on his finger. Dr McDonald’s wife Patricia is still very much a member of the congregation and we sometimes see their daughters Sheena and Alison too.

sandyy

The Revd Sandy W Young became the minister after Dr McDonald retired. During his time as Minister, Mayfield Church united with a congregation nearby and the church became known as Mayfield Salisbury. Mr Young left in 1999 to become a hospital chaplain. Ministers work in hospitals, schools and universities and other places as well as in parish churches.

scott

The next Minister of Mayfield Salisbury was………? Yes! I’m sure many of you remember Revd Dr Scott McKenna. He was Minister for 19 years and probably baptised many of you as babies or when you were older. Dr McKenna was another very interesting preacher who also encouraged people to take time to wait quietly in God’s presence. Lots of people came to church on Sundays. I’m sure many of you remember the early service where Scott’s wife Shelagh sometimes played the piano, and led leader of the 4-6 Sunday School group for 16 years. Dr McKenna made good friendships with leaders of other faiths in Edinburgh like the Jewish Rabbi from the Synagogue up the road, and the leaders of Mosques in Edinburgh. Many people were very sorry when he left to become the minister of St Columba’s Church in Ayr.

neil

helen

And then Revd Neil Gardner and I came to help while the congregation took time to choose their next minister. You haven’t seen so very much of Mr Gardner because he has his own church in the Canongate to look after too, but he has been in charge and very much with us all behind the scenes. We’ve been very grateful for this. You haven’t seen very much of me recently either because of the coronavirus but I’ve been very happy to talk to you online sometimes over the past months.

sandyjoy

Now! Here’s the minister I’ve been leading up to! His name is the Revd Dr Sandy Forsyth, and this afternoon there will be a service on Zoom when he will become your new Minister. He and his wife Joy are already in the manse and I know that he’s really looking forward to the years ahead. You may not meet him for a little bit because sadly he’s not able to visit people or welcome them to the church building because of the virus, but we hope it won’t be too long before you’ll all be able to come back to church and to your groups on Sundays. It’s great that Dr Forsyth will be there when you do, and before this I’m sure he’ll say hello to you online.

And so it’s good bye from me, and hello very soon to Dr Forsyth! Hillary whom you all know will still be here and will speak to you sometimes too.

Now we’ll say a prayer together:

Dear God, thank you for our church of Mayfield Salisbury.
Thank you for our new minister Sandy Forsyth.
Bless him and his wife and their family.
Help us to make them feel at home with us.
And be with us all, for Jesus’ sake; amen.

HYMN 533 Will you come and follow me

Will you come and follow me
if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know
and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown
in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind
if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer
in you and you in me?

Will you love the 'you' you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found
to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound
in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true
when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
and never be the same.
In your company I'll go
where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow
in you and you in me.

John L. Bell (b.1949) and Graham Maule (b.1958)
Words and Music: (c) Wild Goose Resource Group
Played by Kate Pearson
Sung by Stuart Mitchell

WE LISTEN FOR THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN SCRIPTURE

Reading Psalm 139: 1 – 6, 13 – 18
NRSVA Elizabeth Bomberg

Reflection Revd Neil Gardner

St John 1: 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Just as Helen has been drawing our attention to some of the ministers who have helped to shape this church over the years – and surely she should find her rightful place among them now – so today’s Gospel reading draws our attention to two of the individuals who helped to shape the early Church in its very first generation, Nathanael and Philip. We don’t really know very much about either of them, except where they come from. Philip hails from Bethsaida, the same place as the best known disciples, Peter and his brother Andrew. Bethsaida was a typical fishing town, where everybody knew everybody else, and because word gets round quickly in such places, Philip would probably already have heard of Jesus’ encounter with Peter and Andrew. So when, the very next day, Jesus comes across Philip himself and says “Follow me”, Philip is only too ready to follow without hesitation. In fact he’s so keen, he dashes round to share the exciting news with Nathanael, whom he hopes to bring along as well. “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote,” he tells him, “Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth”, he explains confidently. But Nathanael is singularly unimpressed. Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Why was he so reluctant, I wonder, so hesitant to take this any further, why such cynicism in such marked contrast to his friend’s obvious enthusiasm? Well, it’s difficult to say exactly. All we know about Nathanael is that he came from Cana, a small village in the rolling countryside, out in the foothills of Galilee, about eight miles or so from Nazareth, a much busier town strategically positioned on an important trade route with a thriving market and a cosmopolitan air about the whole place. Maybe there was just a bit of typical, traditional rivalry between those two places, maybe folk in Cana were jealous of folk in Nazareth, maybe that’s why Nathanael was instinctively prejudiced against Nazareth and anybody that came from there.

Having been born and brought up in Dunbar, once a typical fishing town where everybody knew everybody else, I don’t think I was ever similarly prejudiced against our cosmopolitan capital city. On the contrary, this was where I studied for the ministry and first came under the influence of Bill McDonald. The year after I had been attached here as a student and just before I headed to Bearsden to serve as the assistant minister at New Kilpatrick Church, I was linked to a country parish nearer home in East Lothian and it was there that an elder gently voiced his concerns about the prospect of my heading off to the Wild West. Knowing that I had been born and brought up and educated entirely on the East Coast he advised me to remind my new congregation that the wise men came from the east. So I did, and was met with the immediate response that the only good thing to come from Edinburgh was the Glasgow train! Perhaps such good-natured rivalry lay behind Nathanael’s negative attitude to Jesus of Nazareth. Or maybe he was just so familiar with the town and its people that he simply didn’t believe anything or anybody out of the ordinary could ever emerge from there, let alone the man of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote. Whatever the real reason, Nathanael has his mind firmly made up, and is decidedly unwilling to meet Jesus, and instead just mutters “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

Philip, though, is undaunted. “Come and see” he replies. I can’t begin to tell you, I can’t even put it into words. You’ll just have to come and see for yourself. He instantly realises that no carefully structured argument is going to cut any ice with his friend in his current state of mind. The only real chance he has of persuading Nathanael is if after all he can see for himself the good that came from Nazareth in the form of Jesus, and so he simply invites him to come and see. And of course, it works, and when he finally sees him, Nathanael recognises in Jesus something far greater even than Philip has realised. “Rabbi”, said Nathanael, “you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel”. Philip, thinking only in human terms, had referred to Jesus as simply the son of Joseph, but now Nathanael came and saw and conquered his cynicism, and understood.

Yet the doubt he first expresses so forcefully, the reluctance that is so instinctive – surely that’s typical of many outside the Church today, many outside and perhaps more than a few inside. Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Why should we bother about this Jesus? How can we believe? I’d like to think that we could respond like Philip. But it’s easy for him, you might say. He can point to Jesus of Nazareth standing over there by the fig tree, standing there in flesh and blood and say “Come and see”. We can’t do that. Maybe not. But we can still point to the good that came from Nazareth in a way that is every bit as visible and tangible, by reflecting the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth, in the way we lead our lives, in the way we react to whatever challenges and opportunities come our way, in the way we relate to those around us that we might be able to say with the assurance of Philip to all who wonder “Come and see”, see for yourself, and so win them over as Nathanael was won over. At every level of Christian life and witness, in the church universal or national or local, even as ministers come and go, does not the Come and See principle remain at the very heart of our faith, as together we strive truly to be the body of Christ in the world today? And by being able to show them, shall we not then prove ourselves to be disciples of the same Jesus, and followers of the same Lord?

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said, “Come and see”. Amen.

RESPONSE TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD WITHIN

Anthem If ye love me

If ye love me, keep my commandments
and I will pay the Father, and he will give
you another comforter, that he may bide
with you for ever, even the spirit of truth.

Words: John 14: 15 - 17
Music: Thomas Tallis (1505 – 1985)

Note: The anthem, a gem of elegant simplicity, was composed in around 1552., by Thomas Tallis, one of the foremost composers of the Tudor period. It became popular with the Elizabethan reformist clergy. During the reign of King Edward VI (1547-1553) it was mandated that the services be sung in English, and that the choral music be brief and succinct "to each syllable a plain and distinct note. The motet is in two sections with the second section repeated.

Prayers Revd Neil Gardner

Gracious God, we thank you for those over the years who have not just told us about you but have shown us something of your goodness and love and taught us how to share your gifts and your blessings with others. We thank you for ministers and teachers, parents and grandparents who have shown us a way of discipleship that can be traced all the way back to Andrew and Peter, to Philip and Nathanael. Help us to continue in that way, we pray, and as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity draws near, bless the work and witness of the Church in all its branches and denominations around the world and across the country and in this city as it seeks to signpost that way of discipleship. Today we pray not least for this parish church of Mayfield Salisbury at this significant time in its life and in its new minister’s life, and we pray for Sandy as he prepares for his induction, that he would know your blessing in all the days to come. And we give thanks for Helen’s ministry among us and ask your blessing on her too.

At this significant time for the United States of America we pray today for the President-elect and the incoming administration, for a healing of divisions and a better understanding; and we pray for people around the world who truly yearn for freedom and democracy in their own land, for justice and fairness where there is corruption and cruelty, for peace and tolerance where there is violence and prejudice.

We continue to pray for those who suffer and struggle, with ill health and frailty, with loneliness and loss, with separation and isolation, that you would draw near to them to comfort and sustain them. We pray for The Queen and the Royal Family and Household, for the Forces of the Crown and the leaders of the nations, for all on whose decisions the lives and livelihoods of so many depend in these challenging and uncertain times. We pray for businesses struggling once again to balance the books and for all who face unemployment or the threat of redundancy, for those facing different threats of cruelty and abuse and for all for whom each day brings new stress and tension. And in a moment of quiet we bring before you the needs of those for whom we are anxious ourselves, and those too for whose love and friendship and support we have particular cause to be thankful…hear us Lord as we sum up our prayers in the words of the family prayer of the church in every age and place, even in our separate places saying together:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

HYMN 112 God, whose almighty word

God, whose almighty word
chaos and darkness heard,
and took their flight;
hear us, we humbly pray,
and, where the gospel-day
sheds not its glorious ray,
let there be light.

Saviour, who came to bring,
on your redeeming wing,
healing and sight,
health to the sick in mind,
sight to the inly blind,
now to all humankind
let there be light.

Spirit of truth and love,
life-giving, holy dove,
speed forth your flight;
move o'er the waters' face,
bearing the lamp of grace,
and in earth's darkest place
let there be light.

Blessed and holy Three,
glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, Love, Might,
boundless as ocean's tide
rolling in fullest pride,
through the world far and wide
let there be light.

John Marriott (1780 - 1825)
Thomas Raffles (1788 - 1863)

BENEDICTION Revd Neil Gardner

Immediately following the Benediction, Mayfield Salisbury’s own Chamber Group will sing a new setting of the Celtic Blessing, specially composed by Walter Thomson and offered today as a surprise thank you to Helen Alexander, who has often spoken these words at the end of the service and whose ministry Sunday by Sunday has been a blessing to us all.

Now may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his son Jesus Christ our Lord, and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit descend upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Celtic Blessing - For Helen

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Son of peace to you

Sung by the Chamber Group
Specially composed by Walter Thomson

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INTIMATIONS

Induction of Dr Forsyth at 4.00pm
As I mentioned in my mid-week email, the service can be watched on Zoom or on Facebook. You can also dial in by phone to listen. In addition, we will try to make a CD available for those who cannot use these methods.

Zoom
Joining by Zoom requires a (very straightforward) registration process to be done in advance. Simply click this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6qbIMkydSSyTgt2YwPHKRg, fill in your details, and you will receive a confirmation email containing information including a joining link. The email also has an option to add the details to your online calendar.

Facebook
The service will be streamed live on Edinburgh Presbytery’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EdinburghPresbytery/.

Telephone
To join by phone, call 0131 460 1196 and use the webinar ID 889 1902 3719 followed by #. The call is charged at a local rate and will let you listen to the proceedings live (but will not operate as a ‘catch up’ service).

Please note that all of these options give you access to the live service and are not ‘on demand’ (ie you need to watch or listen at 4.00pm on Sunday). William will try to make a recording which can be distributed on CD for anyone who cannot manage to listen live and wishes to hear the service at a later date. The CD will need to be posted out so there will be a short delay. Please contact William or me if you, or anyone you know would like one.

YOUTH

Youth Group: Tonight, Sunday 17 January, we will meet on Zoom for a discussion night: 'new year, new you?' We will be thinking about resolutions, self-care, and our relationship with God as we settle into the unknown of 2021. P6-S1 from 630-730pm and S2-S6 from 730-830pm. For Zoom log-in information, please contact Hillary.

Youth Social Bite Fundraiser Update: Thank you so much to everyone who supported our various efforts to raise money for Social Bite over November and December! We've collected £338 which will go toward Social Bite and all of the incredible work they are doing in Edinburgh for the homeless community. Thanks for joining us in supporting this cause! - Hillary

PASTORAL CARE A new year and new beginnings and if you would like to have a pastoral visitor or be added on to the telephone calls list, then do please contact me. For those of you involved in the various phone chains, thank you, and I would be grateful if you could keep them going during the current lockdown. Please remember to notify me if someone is ill so that the ministry team can respond appropriately. Kay. 07903 266 307

FORTHCOMING SERVICES AT MAYFIELD SALISBURY PARISH CHURCH

Sunday 24th January - Revd Dr Sandy Forsyth
8.00am onwards Online Worship: Website
8.00am onwards Phone Worship: Dial-a-Sermon
Note: No Services in the Sanctuary

MIDWEEK PEACE AND PRAYERS Midweek peace and prayers will not take place until further notice.

OFFERING The Church is very grateful to all those who continue to support it through their regular and one-off donations, now possible through standing order or the ‘give.net’ facility on the website give.net/20311853 So many members have kindly changed from Freewill Offering Envelopes to standing order that envelopes will not be distributed in future. Because of ongoing concerns regarding Covid19 it is not known when open plate offerings will recommence. If you wish to discuss the manner of your future offerings please feel free to contact me using the details shown on the last page of the Grapevine parish magazine. Hugh Somerville

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CORNERSTONE BOOKSHOP If you are looking for a book to help you on your inward journey, expand your knowledge of Christian history, doctrine or the Bible, then visit Cornerstone Bookshop, St John's Terrace, (under St John's Episcopal Church), Princes Street, Edinburgh. EH2 4BJ www.cornerstonebooks.org.uk

Recommended Daily Meditations: Fr Richard Rohr at www.cac.org Also, see www.pray-as-you-go.org

Books for the Journey

A Literary Christmas British Library Publishing 2018 and

The First Biography of Jesus: Genre and Meaning in Mark’s Gospel by Helen K Bond WB Eerdmans Publishing 2020

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Forthcoming Deadlines

Order of service for next week: Thursday at 6.00pm.

Next Grapevine: Friday 29 January 2021 at 6.00pm.

Please send submissions to the Church Manager, William Mearns.

Phone: 0780 801 1234 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Copyright Notices

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.

Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church holds a CCLI Streaming License: #88916

Images – Some courtesy of Pixabay

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Social Media

www.facebook.com/MayfieldSalisbury

www.youtube.com/user/MayfieldSalisbChurch

www.flickr.com/photos/98063709@N06/

Youth Instagram: the.msyg

www.mayfieldsalisbury.org

Scottish Charity Number SC000785