ADVENT 2 Dec 9th 2018

Transcription

1 ADVENT 2 Dec 9th 2018 Call to thoughtfulness an Advent prayer Walter Brueggemann In our secret yearnings we wait for your coming, and in our grinding despair we doubt that you will. And in this privileged place we are surrounded by witnesses who yearn more than do we and by those who despair more deeply than do we. Look upon your church and its pastors in this season of hope which runs so quickly to fatigue and this season of yearning which becomes so easily quarrelsome. Give us the grace and the impatience to wait for your coming to the bottom of our toes, to the edge of our finger tips. We do not want our several worlds to end. Come in your power and come in your weakness in any case and make all things new. Amen. PROCESSIONAL HYMN Words John Bell Tune Somos Pueblo 262 V 1 Solo Vs 2-5 Unaccompanied Not the powerful, not the privileged, not the famous in the land, but the no-ones and the needy were the first to hold God's hand. Not a well established family with an heirloom christening shawl, but a homeless, wandering couple parented the Lord of All. Not, at first, to little children, nor to those whose faith burned bright; but to adults, stalled in darkness, angels brought God's love and light. God, determined to be different from the standards we think best, in his choice of friends and family, lets forgotten folk be blessed. Not obsessed by our achievements, worldly wealth or family tree, may we, in and with God's chosen, find our fondest pedigree. HymnQuest ID: 70441

2 Welcome where walls and blinkers seem to be fashionable again Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, give us your peace! Baruch Restoration, hope rekindled Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God. Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God; put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting; for God will show your splendour everywhere under heaven. For God will give you evermore the name, "Righteous Peace, Godly Glory." Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height; look toward the east, and see your children gathered from west and east at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them. For they went out from you on foot, led away by their enemies; but God will bring them back to you, carried in glory, as on a royal throne. For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low and the valleys filled up, to make level ground, so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God. The woods and every fragrant tree have shaded Israel at God's command. For God will lead Israel with joy, in the light of his glory, with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.

3 Khalil: Then, what are you? Charlie: I m an Actress Khalil: So you don t believe in anything? DISCUSS! HYMN Startled Words Andrew Pratt Tune All for Jesus Stainer As the darkness grows around us, shadows lengthen into night, God fulfil your advent promise in the gloom let there be light. In our childhood's understanding life seemed limitless and free, Now we face the contemplation of our own mortality. Life seemed simple spread before us, now, distorted, futile, flawed; Child-like hope has been extinguished, fear, with understanding, spawned. Here in doubt and dereliction, searching for the reason why, Hoping prayer might kindle kindness, hoping you might hear our cry. Longing for your advent promise, light in darkness, joy for pain, Hoping we might find the pathway back to life and love again. Now we're startled by the stillness, stark surprise that you are there, Then we're blinded by the dazzle of the dawning of your care! HymnQuest ID: 70163

4 LUKE REFLECTION Seismic thoughts some thoughts form the wilderness Lighting of the second Advent candle We light this candle to recall the shepherds on the hills and all throughout the ages Who, in their place of work, have been ready to hear good news and delighted to pass it on to others. May the light overcome the darkness. With those who are poor With those whom nobody notices With those who have nowhere to lay their head With those who can t rely on governments or the world community to help them. Because you, O God, came among us as one of these OFFERTORY HYMN Prepare ye the way of the Lord 1 Solo V2 two voices V3 Women V4 and repeat ALL Marking Advent in the sharing of bread and wine (Congregation joins in words printed in bold) Holy God, this is earth s quiet season, the season of waiting. We rest in the shelter of your love. This is the season of darkness, when we seek stars to guide us. We trust in the light of your promise. This is the season of solitude, when we listen for our own heart s rhythm. We find warmth in the signs of your presence. This is our season to make room, a time to make ready. For we shall join in the angels chorus. Peace on earth, goodwill to all. Peace on earth, goodwill to all

5 HYMN 291 When out of poverty is born a dream that will not die Tune Forrest Green 304 Come, follow the light to the mother and child. Come listen for the voice that calls to you from the wilderness to find new life in the broken corners of the world. Come, rich and poor, neighbour or stranger, gather round and share the celebration of the Prince of Peace. JAMES: From being a child in a anger dependent on his mother s milk for food Jesus grew to be the Living Word made flesh offering everyone the bread of life. He travelled from the manger to the cross where his body was broken, his love poured out but God held him like a mother and nursed him back to life. Jesus knew what was to come when, in the upper room, he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of his disciples saying, If I do not wash your feet you have no part of me. ALL: Lord, we confess that our lives and the life of the world have been broken by our lack of love, but we come for you to wash us clean so that we may walk in new life with you. Jesus took bread, broke it and blessed it and asked that his disciples to remember how his life was given for them and the generations to come. In the same way he took that cup and asked them to remember how his love was poured out as a sign of a new relationship with God. ALL: Thank you for giving your life so that we may be reconciled to God. Amen The Lord s Prayer Invocation sung by all: (unaccompanied) to the tune at 619 Spirit of the Living God Move among us now Make us one in heart and mind Through our bread and wine: Taking, breaking, blessing, sharing, Spirit of the Living God Bless our bread and wine. So draw near and be strengthened by the life of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was born in a stable to be the living bread and died on a cross having poured out his love so we may drink from God s cup of forgiveness. Eat and drink. Take him into your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

6 As you take bread hold it in prayer and remember how the body of Jesus was born, lived and was broken for you. ALL We eat together, united in one body. As you take the wine hold it in prayer and remember how Jesus poured out his love for you and meets your needs when he lives in your heart. ALL: We drink together, united in one hope. As the bread and wine are shared we listen to Hallelujah Cello Sheku Kanneh-Mason Closing prayers HYMN 277 Hark the Glad sound, the Saviour comes The Blessing spoken together: Follow where the Spirit of Hope leads us Listen, as the Child of Peace cries for us Rejoice, as the Love of God embraces us And let us go with Hope, Peace and Love in our hearts And the blessing of Creator, Child and Spirit for ever within us. Amen We sing: (786) May the God of peace go with us as we travel from this pace: May the Love of Jesus keep us firm in hope and full of grace It's when we face for a moment the worst our kind can do, and shudder to know the taint in our own selves, that awe cracks the mind's shell and enters the heart: not to a flower, not to a dolphin, to no innocent form but to this creature vainly sure it and no other is god-like, God (out of compassion for our ugly failure to evolve) entrusts, as guest, as brother, the Word. Denise Levertov ( ) On the Mystery of the Incarnation

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