Advent, a season of preparation, hope

Transcription

1 Ministry of Praise Advent, a season of preparation, hope Advent is the story of a people, a people wai4ng, hoping, an4cipa4ng and longing for the coming of a Savior and Redeemer who would bring peace to the world. That hope is fulfilled in the faithful love of our Father who chose to give us His Son. Somehow it happened. God took a handful of humanity and a handful of divinity and enclosed them in one small body. And Jesus was born. Advent is a season centered on pa4ence, especially with oneself. It is a hopeful wai4ng, confident that God is about to do something exci4ng. The central image of Advent is an expectant mother, Mary, carrying Jesus. Christ wants to enter into our lives in a new way during these holy weeks and to do this we must focus on the na4vity of our Lord. It s 4me to say no to some of the craziness of the season, par4es, gim- buying and card- sending, and yes to more spiritual things; Church services, carols and scripture, carving out more prayer 4me for Advent and Christmas. Set 4me aside each day for quietness. It is in the s4llness that you can hear the voice of God. Take five minutes a day to unplug, logout, and disconnect. Simply rest in the presence of God. Pope Francis prays In this season of Advent, let us ask the Lord that we may be firmly founded on the rock that is Him: He is our hope. It s true, we are all sinners; we are all weak. But if we place our hope in Him, we can all carry on. This is ChrisDan joy: to know that in Him there is hope, there is forgiveness, there is peace, there is joy.

2 Come, O Come to Us, Emmanuel! John the Bap4st appeared in the desert proclaiming a bap4sm of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And this is what he proclaimed: One migh4er than I is coming amer me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have bap4zed you with water; he will bap4ze you with the Holy Spirit. (from the Gospel of Mark) Lord of hope, be with us as we ready our hearts for your coming. This is Advent, season of promise and remembering. In our worship and prepara4on we an4cipate the birth of a baby in a dusty stable in Bethlehem. We remember another, John the Bap4st, who came to prepare the Jewish people for the arrival of Jesus, who would prepare a way for them through a call to repentance. The promise of a baby is also the promise of eternal life to all who believe. Heavenly Father, take away our selfishness and sense of pride and show us the meaning of humility; take away our blindness and greed and teach us how to give as you gave. Show us your ways; teach us your paths that we might walk hand in hand with You, our feet in your footsteps, from a baby in a stable to eternity. Show us the world through your eyes and teach us to love. My soul magnifies the Lord! All is ready. Stable prepared Shepherds working Magi journeying Gifts are chosen My soul magnifies the Lord! A city awaits Crowded and bustling Stars are shining People expecting A drama unfolding My soul magnifies the Lord! The Lord is coming To save his people Mary s obedience Jesus willingness Your gracious gift to us My soul magnifies the Lord!

3 DELPHOS ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC PARISH DECEMBER 2017 Our Needs, Worries and Concerns Coming before the throne of heaven we voice our petitions to our merciful Father: That our parish will make Advent a spiritual prepara4on 4me for Christmas, leading to a celebra4on of the true meaning of Jesus birth, we pray: Come Emmanuel, come! That love within families will increase in the knowledge of what is truly good and valuable, we pray: Come Emmanuel, come! That expectant mothers may take Mary as their role model, we pray: Come Emmanuel, come! That Jesus may send his compassion and healing to all those who are ill, especially those listed in the bulle4n, we pray: Come Emmanuel, come! For the recently deceased and those who mourn them, we pray: Come Emmanuel, come! For many persons, the holiday season is a sad 7me. Let us pray especially for those who are suffering because of stressful situa7ons in their lives. For the elderly and the homebound who are sometimes lonely and forgotten, we pray: Come Emmanuel, come! For the men and women in the service of our country, we pray: Come Emmanuel, come! For homeless, abandoned and hungry kids who are wandering the city streets, we pray: Come Emmanuel, come! For those who are reeling from a recent separation or divorce, we pray: Come Emmanuel, come! For the mentally ill who are sometimes neglected, we pray: Come Emmanuel, come! For estranged families, we pray: Come Emmanuel, come! Merciful Jesus, look with compassion and tenderness on those who are heavily burdened during this holy season. Words by Pope Francis Let us prepare for Christmas, considering that Jesus is coming. I hope that Jesus comes into the heart of each one of you, blesses you and gives you strength to go forward. Pray for me! Thank you. Those Who Recently Found Eternal Rest: LaDonna Barnes Gerald SieRer Melvin Rode Nancy Stant Mary Thitoff John A. Metzner Jr.

4 Christmas Manger Prayer O God, whose mighty Son was born in Bethlehem those days long ago, lead us to that same poor place, where Mary laid her 4ny child. And as we look on in wonder and praise, make us welcome him in all new life, see him in the poor and care for his handiwork, the earth, the sky and the sea. O God, bless us again in your great love. We pray for this through Christ our Lord. Amen. I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY I heard the bells on Christmas Day, Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head: There s no peace on earth, I said, For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth good will to men. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

5 DELPHOS ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC PARISH DECEMBER DECEMBER FEASTDAYS ST. FRANCIS XAVIER Missionary priest who worked with the Hindus, the Malayans and the Japanese, ministering to the sick and the poor, especially the lepers. He lived among the poor, sharing their food and rough accommoda4ons. He died on the island of Sancian, southwest of Hong Kong in St. Nicholas God of joy and cheer, we thank you for your servant, the good Bishop Nicholas. In loving the poor, he showed us your kindness; in caring for your children he revealed your love. Make us thoughbul without need of reward, so that we, too, may be good followers of Jesus. 8 The Immaculate Concep4on Patroness of the United States Immaculate Mary, help us to stand among the family of na4ons as a people of compassion, generosity and peace. Make us a people of vision and courage, who will gim this world with new life, new hope and the unity for which your Son died. 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe Mary s appearance to Juan Diego as one of his people is a powerful reminder that Mary and the God who sent her to accept all peoples. 13 St. Lucy Virgin and martyr, she is the patroness of those with eyesight problems St. Stephen, the First Martyr Stephen died as Jesus did: falsely accused and brought to unjust condemna4on because he spoke the truth fearlessly. He was stoned to death with forgiveness on his lips. St. John the Evangelist Patron of our Parish Heavenly Father, we thank you for all of our faithful benefactors who have helped to establish and maintain St. John s over the years. We thank you for the commitment of the priests who have served our community. Con4nue to guide us and watch over us as we strive to bring forth the Kingdom. The Holy Innocents Heavenly Father, you sent your only Son to die so that all children of this world might live and grow. Transform in the hearts of all people the forces of violence, cruelty and especially abor4on, into the one saving force of love. In Jesus name we pray. Dec. 30 The Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph Son of God and Son of man, you were born into a human family. Strengthen the bonds of love and respect in every family. May the holy family serve as an example of love and obedience to families everywhere.

6 Give a gift of prayer this year! Heavenly Father, each and every day, every week, every month, hundreds of people touch my life, providing services and mee4ng my needs. Today I want to secretly gim each of them with your blessings. Let my gim for them be a prayer of thanks and a prayer for their well- being. I pray for my neighbors, whether they live next door or in the next room. Bless them with good health, a cheerful smile, and a posi4ve outlook on life. Bless those who provide services for me; my mail carrier, paper carrier and trash collector. Keep them healthy and free from winter chills. Help me appreciate their efforts. My safety is of great concern for law enforcement, firemen and first responders. Keep them safe as well, Lord, and keep them out of harm s way. When my house goes dark or the basement floods, electricians, carpenters and plumbers are there to help. Bless all those who help us meet emergencies in our homes. For my healthcare; doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and if necessary, hospital personnel, who respond to my needs. Bless them with compassion and caring. And, Lord, bless all my fellow members of the Ministry of Praise who see the importance of prayer and spend much extra 4me with You. All of these are your people, Lord, Including custodians, grocery store carry outs, snow plow drivers, TV repair crews, farmers and landscapers, and many more. As we benefit from their efforts, may we respond with gra4tude. And in your mercy, Lord, may You bless them all as only You can. Amen. Every day can be like Christmas in its love and its peace if our hearts open up and make room for love. The Holy Child is waiting to be born in every instant, not just once a year. From CHRISTMAS PRAYERS by Marianne Williamson