Month: November 2020

God that you would rip open the heavens and come down, and make the mountains shudder. But isn’t this season about tinsel decorations and excess?O God that the sun would become dark, the moon no longer give its light, the stars fall from the sky, and the planets be shaken. But isn’t this season about lights twinkling in the streets and consumerism?O God, that we would see the Christ coming in the clouds, with great power and splendour. This, O God is the hope we’re looking. This is the promise of something better. We can’t wait!

O God, but now we must wait, keep watch, stay alert, not knowing when the time is coming. Come, Lord Jesus. We wait for the arrival of this hope, we look for the signs of the inbreaking of your presence.

O God, you keep coming to us in the small, and the vulnerable, in unexpected ways…. In each act of love, in each expression of patience and kindness, in our generous giving, justice-doing, and peace-making……. May we seek your face this season, seek your presence, and offer our worship.

O God, we pray for peace in Ethiopia and Eritrea. We pray for our African brothers and sisters weighted down by violence, displacement, and fear. Come, Lord Jesus Come.

O God, we pray for all who stand in a place of need. We pray for those suffering due to emotional pain, physical pain, relational pain…..May your healing grace surround the most vulnerable amongst us, especially those in long term care.

May hope burn bright for those receiving treatment or awaiting surgery. Comfort the hurting, encourage the weary, grant full healing and restoration we pray. May the hope of gentle healing and the gift of accompaniment of family and friends be source of comfort for all who grieve.

O God hear our prayers for our Households of Faith.

O God, as we journey the road of Advent may hope draw us into a future of opportunity not yet seen, into restoration that even now in silence is unfolding, may hope draw us into renewal and new life.

O God, you came down in flesh that we might have love, that we might have peace, that we might have joy, that we might have hope and that we might have life. Halleluiah forever more. Amen.

This Sunday marks our journey into Advent. Advent, as with human life begins in the dark.
This Sunday we will light the first candle of Advent – the candle of hope – and kick off our worship series: “On the Road….”
Advent One, we are “on the road of readiness.”
What does readiness look like for you? How might we prepare to receive the One sent to save us?
Getting ready for Advent, all are invited to create an Advent wreath for your home.
This Advent and Christmas season will look very different and yet there are rituals, including lighting Advent candles that draw us together.
All are welcome to join Friday prayer at 11:30 during which time we will reflect upon the meaning of Advent, our intentions for this season that leads to Bethlehem and the manger, and we will offer our prayers.

The following is an Advent prayer inspired by the Celtic tradition:
Come, Lord, awaken us to Your presence.
Dispel the darkness of night.
Come, Lord, awaken us to Your presence.
Cure the deafness of our ears.
Heal the blindness of our sight.
Come, Lord, awaken us to Your presence.
Open the mouths that are dumb.
Kindle Your warmth in our hearts.
Come, Lord, awaken us to Your presence.
Make us aware of You.
Come, Hope of the world, Prince of Peace, King of glory.
Into our world of darkness,
Into our places of strife,
Into our troubles and weakness
Come down, come in, come among us.
Into our joys and celebrations,
Into our homes and to our loved ones,
Into our neighbourhoods and cities,
Come, down, come in, come among us.
To those who are in need,
To those who are in sickness,
To those who are in despair,
Come down, come in, come among us
that we might love You and our neighbours
for the sake of Your Kingdom and in Your Name. Amen

Holy One, you are our God and we are Your people,
and we are grateful that You have claimed us as your own.
You have set us in the company of your people across generations,
among those who have made bold witness to Your goodness, Your truth.
Your faithful accompanying presence opens up new futures
where we see no way forward.

Holy One, You know the places in our hearts where we are afraid:

afraid of a future we cannot control
afraid of losing health and independence
afraid for the well-being of our children

Holy One, You know the places in our hearts and bodies where there is pain and suffering:

be with the sick and those awaiting surgery or treatment

be with the lonely, the lost, the least,

be with all impacted by covid 19 including caregivers and administrators, and scientists

be with all who grieve. Surround the broken hearted with deep comfort, immeasurable love, and gentle care. Comfort all who grieve, we pray.

Holy One, You also know the places in our hearts where there is joy and delight and inspiration

Thank you for the beauty of creation

for all things pumpkin-spiced

the chill in the air as seasons turn

and the warmth of the fire

Holy One, we are your people on a journey.

Pour out your grace and peace upon all who stand in a place of need for healing, hope and wholeness.

We also pray for our Households of Faith.

Holy One, write the stories of all your people deep into our hearts
so that we may learn to trust you beyond our fears.
Give us hearts and minds and spirits
ready to trust and follow wherever your Spirit leads,
confident that you will not lead us beyond your loving embrace.
We ask in the name of the One who taught us to pray: Our Father ………….

Amen