Sunday.

Apologies to those who checked in last night to read another "exciting episode" from The Rev!  I went to bed!  It was one of those nights when you're so totally overcome with sleep that getting horizontal is the only solution ... so here I am, refreshed from a good long night, ready for another week!
Saint Nicholas' had the privilege of hosting the Belfast Bach Consort for the Cantata for New Year.  It is for two solo voices only and a small orchestra.  The theme is God's presence in the midst of trouble and suffering and the hope of future joy and glory.
When the service ended the congregation just sat in silence during the organ postlude, totally caught up with the sense of having been in a holy place.  It really did do our hearts good.
Once a month this group, with more musicians and a chorus, sing a Cantata in the context of evening worship at Saint Thomas' - and that's well worth attending.

I continue to watch with interest the growth of the little bear!  It really is rather fascinating to see him expand and still maintain his bear-like shape!  When he gets as big as he's going to be I'll paste all the pictures together so we can see the development.  The Christmas tree in the background here is a reminder that we're still in the twelve days of Christmas ... it comes down on the Feast of the Epiphany.

I'm a great fan of Marmite (and its cousin Bovril).  One of the delightful presents this year was a Marmite mug ... so I thought it would be fun to let the blog readers see it!  Judging from one of the comments posted on this blog even before I had time to put the text in - I'm not the only fan of this tasty spread!

This hymn was one of those sung at the Bach Cantata  ... 

God reveals his presence;

let us now adore him,

and with awe appear before him;

God is in his temple;

all within keep silence,

prostrate lie with deepest reverence.

Him alone

God we own,

him our God and Saviour:

praise his name for ever.

Church Hymnal number 331

Gerhard Tersteegan (1697-1769)