What's In a Name?
Names are important – they are part of our identity. Even if the name we have been given has no significant meaning, the way in which it is used often does. How we are addressed by different people reveals their relationship to us or says something about how they see us.
To most people I’m just ‘Steve’, rarely ‘Stephen' - unless I’m in trouble, especially with my mother! Growing up, I was ‘Tibbsy’ to my friends. In our congregation at King’s I’m often known as ‘Pastor Steve’, a title which seems quite formal in my white British culture, and which it took me a while to get used to. Many of us who are married have affectionate names for our spouse which reflect the unique intimacy of the husband and wife relationship. And my three sons are the only people who call me ‘Dad’ - although they have been known to shout ‘Steve’ if they can’t get my attention any other way!
The names we use for someone are significant. They can reveal who they are, what they do and how we view them. The Bible is filled with numerous different names for Jesus: He is our 'Lord', our 'Saviour', our 'Comforter', our 'Counsellor', our 'Judge', our 'Guide' and our 'Rock'. He is the one who saves, who gives life and who frees us from our sin. Jesus is all this and more. Has one name ever encompassed so much? It is a beautiful name, and the reason we come to worship and celebrate at Christmas.
As you probably know already, we like to do Christmas in a big way at King’s. Across two weekends, starting on Sunday 10th December, we have no fewer than seven carol services for you to choose from. They take place at all three sites and include carols, readings, performance pieces, videos and a short talk that is fun and festive. Our theme for this year is ‘What a Beautiful Name’ and we want to take this opportunity to invite as many people as possible. Last year, some 3000 people attended at least one of our Christmas services, and we hope to exceed that this year. So now is the time to start inviting your friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues. Dates and times are as follows:
SUN 10 DEC
5pm Lee
SAT 16 DEC
5pm* Catford
SUN 17 DEC
9.30am & 11.30am† Catford
5pm Catford & Downham
7.30pm* Catford
* with British Sign Language interpretation
† with kids' work for 0-9s
We ask you to collect tickets for yourselves and any guests you know are coming. Tickets are free and help to give an indication of how many people are likely to be attending each service. They are available for collection at all sites on Sundays. All information can be found on the King's website.
Who knows, perhaps your invitation could be the beginning of a journey for somebody? Perhaps they too will come to discover the beauty, power and significance of the name JESUS.
