It was billed by some as the biggest evangelistic opportunity of a generation and, if it isn’t already the most-viewed sermon of all time, it’s likely to become so. But what lessons can we learn from Justin Welby’s preach?
You can watch Archbishop Justin’s sermon below or read it here.
“Christian hope means certain expectation of something not yet seen. Christ rose from the dead & offers life to all, abundant life now & life with God in eternity… We will all face the merciful judgment of God. We can all share the Queen’s hope…” 🔥 ❤️🙌pic.twitter.com/2WGNyb3Y2P
This stunning image, by PA Media photographer Jane Barlow, is set to become amongst the most recognised photos in recent history. That’s because we now know Barlow’s images to be the last public pictures of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The 96-year old Queen stands, seemingly alone and aided by her stick, in her drawing room at Balmoral. She’s waiting to meet the new UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss, staggeringly the fifteenth PM of her Elizabethan reign.
But for me what really stands out is the frail Queen’s smile. Gracious. Warm. Infectious.
It’s a smile that we’ve come to love over these monumental seventy years. And yet it’s a smile that we’ll see no more. Two days later the world was being told what we knew was one day inevitable, yet perhaps seemed unbelievable. Her Majesty was dead.
It’s been said that a smile is the beauty of a soul. But we know that the most beautiful and genuine smiles are those drawn out from the presence of another. A second human face, the very presence of which can bring out the best of humanity. A smile bestows dignity and offers connection. It can build bridges and lower guards. We smile back.
So have you seen the second face yet? Take a look at the bottom of the mirror and to the left of the clock. Maybe the photographer herself. Maybe a courtier. But there, present in the room. Face to face. Drawing out the smile of Her Majesty.
And it reminds me that though we see Her Majesty’s smile no longer, yet her smile lives on. Not just in treasured photographs, film and memories. It lives on because *still* her smile is being prompted by the gaze of Another.
For Her Majesty is in the eternal presence of a second face.
As a Christian, Queen Elizabeth II knew that Jesus Christ was her Saviour. She wasn’t relying on her own morality. She didn’t believe this was just wishful thinking. She spoke in her Christmas broadcasts of how God came into our world in Jesus Christ to bring us forgiveness. And though she did not yet see him, she loved him. And she knew that one day she would ‘see him as he is’. She knew in this life we see in part, but one day ‘we shall see face to face’.
And so now she does. Now that second face, His face, shines upon her, radiant and beaming in all of His beauty, glory, and grace. The One whose own smile we were made to know.
It is with huge sadness that we have all learned of the death of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II. In this moment the nation – and indeed most of the world – has been gripped by a surreal sense of significance, loss, and privilege at having lived with Her Majesty as our Queen. Elizabeth the Great, Elizabeth the Humble, Elizabeth the Queen who knew her Saviour.
It is a unique time. Beyond a once-in-a-lifetime moment. A time that therefore brings unique opportunities, pressures and rhythms.
I thought it might be helpful to try and compile a set of links that capture some of the most useful resources at this time…
1) Go Chatter Video – ‘In Remembrance of Her Majesty’ – Thanks to the Go Chatter team for putting together this family-friendly video to play in church or share on social media. Available to purchase for a small cost to support their valuable ministry.
2) Leading the Church in Reflection on Elizabeth II – Credit to the team at FIEC for putting together this helpful half hour video conversation about navigating such a unique time, pastorally, missionally, and personally.
7) Prayers & Reflections on the death of Her Majesty – My friend Mark Walley collated a series of readings and quotations from The Queen’s Christmas speeches, and I’ve put these together into a booklet for churches here. You can add a church logo on the front. The idea is you might have this available in a church building over the weekend.
8) Thank You, Your Majesty – Written by a Brit for a mostly American audience, I appreciated this reflection from Carl Laferton of The Good Book Company.
9) Perhaps my favourite anecdote about The Queen – Loved this anecdote, delightfully told by former Royal Protection Officer, Richard Griffin, during the Jubilee Celebrations earlier this year…
13) Tears & Celebration – Christian charities LICC and Bible Society have released ‘Tears and Celebration’, a new hymn featuring world-renowned mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins, written by Andy Flannagan with Sam Hargreaves. It looks perfect for churches to use in Sunday services. You can stream it from this YouTube link, or download scores, guitar chords and a backing track from the Jubilate website.
14) All Souls Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II – This is a lovely montage of Her Majesty’s own words put together by All Souls Church, including her coronation vows and the words said to her at coronation.
Hello, my name is Robin. Welcome to That Happy Certainty, where I write and collate on Christianity, culture, and ministry. I’m based in Barrow-in-Furness in South Cumbria, England, where I serve a church family called St Paul’s Barrow, recently merged together from two existing churches, St Paul’s Church and Grace Church Barrow.
Available Now: Advent 2021 – Finding Hope Under Bethlehem Skies
A fresh look at Advent through the book of Ruth. Why not order a bunch for your church to read through Advent together here. 100 for £1 each!
Hello, my name is Robin. Welcome to That Happy Certainty, where I write and collate on Christianity, culture, and ministry. I’m based in Barrow-in-Furness in South Cumbria, England, where I serve a church family called 
