11 May 2026

Those who participate in an act of public worship in the Kirk are expected to play a significant part in the preaching of the Word. The task itself is generally entrusted to the parish minister but this is only the beginning. There is work for the congregation to do. They must remain ALERT!

A is for  anticipation. On the way to the kirk, we anticipate the work of the Holy Spirit in the reading of the Word and in the preaching of the Word of God. Whilst the words of the preacher are not necessarily the word of God, the Holy Spirit is working through them to enlighten the worshipping community.

L is for listening. This is a skill which doesn’t come easily to us. It requires us to divest ourselves of self and to focus on the other. It requires us to consider the other of more worth than self at least for  this moment in time. Listening to God requires the discipline of attentiveness and the humility to lead us there.

E is for exploration. Our openness to the Spirit inspires us to explore what God is saying to us. There is much fulfilment in trying to work out what the prophet or the evangelist or the apostle or the preacher is saying. The one thing leads to another if we are open to encounter God in the preaching of his Word.

R is for remembering. The sermon is not just for Sunday. We take its message with us into the week ahead. It illuminates our relationships, distils our priorities, inspires our actions. The sermon is not just words but words which are realised in our actions. We remember Christ in broken  bread and shared wine.

T is for treasure. Mary treasured these things in her heart. We treasure God’s Word. It is more precious than gold, sweeter than honey. We carry it as treasure in earthen vessels  to make it clear that its power and  beauty does not come from us but from God.

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