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