Advent Sunday

So here we are in Advent. Again.
In the darkness longing for light. Again.
The world can seem like a dark place can’t it?

StF 188 There’s a light upon the mountains

Opening prayers
This Sunday of waiting, this Sunday of beginnings
I am waiting Lord,
Beginning again my journey with you.
I am seeking you Lord,
Wanting to know more of you.
Come here, today, by your Spirit
Pause.
The advent call is to wait, not rush.
To be prepared for what is coming rather than forget what all the celebrations are for.
Today, then, as you prepare for worship: pause.
Pause in the silence and let it settle on you.
Pause for longer than you think feels usual.
Pause with focus and ask God to reveal God-self in what you are to be a part of.
Pause.
Loving God, I pray that I will meet you this day and everyday.
Amen

StF 417 We come from the mountains, the valleys the plains

Old Testament reading Isaiah 2:1-5  - Swords into ploughshares
Gospel reading Matthew 24:36-44 - Be ready

 REFLECTION
So here we are in Advent. Again.
In the darkness longing for light. Again.
The world can seem like a dark place can’t it?
Perhaps there have been dark times in our own lives or in the lives of our loved ones?
Both of the readings for today remind us that there is hope. Not the hope that buys a
lottery ticket and crosses its fingers but that deep Hebrew hope that holds onto and
lives in line with what it believes will one day be – even if surrounded by so many
signs to the contrary. That is the hope that comes at Advent, isn’t it?
The Christmas story reminds us that we are not alone when we experience darkness.
Jesus suffered. Jesus understands our suffering and the suffering of a world that is
often dark and still longing for light. That is what it means for God to be ‘with us’.
Immanuel.
Where do you see hope at work in today’s readings?
Our hope is bigger than a sort of vague thinking that ‘everything will work out’, it is
more a practice. Not the kind of hope that buys a lottery ticket and crosses its fingers
but that deep Hebrew-hope that holds onto and lives in line with what we believe will
one day be – even if surrounded by many signs to the contrary.
Are you feeling hopeful this Advent? Are you able to commit to hope again?​

StF 416 There’s a wideness in god’s mercy

Song Come all you vagabonds - Stuart Townend

Prayers of Intersession
On this Advent Sunday, we come to you Lord with many different emotions. We come with awareness that Christmas is approaching. For some that will be a time of great joy, for others a time of stress and busyness. We come to you knowing that the world is full of tinsel, glitter and mindless music played on a loop, but we yearn to see your face in the midst of all the preparations. We want to look to the future because you have gone ahead into it for us. We may not wish it could be Christmas every day, but we do recognise that the real truth of Christmas is with us every day: that God came into the world to redeem us. So, however we feel today, help us to find you, not in the razzmatazz, but in the quietness of the stable.

Be awake, be ready, be prepared:
Christ our light is coming near

Lord, we know how much preparation we need to do before Christmas. There will be cards to write, presents to buy, food to purchase, invitations to be made. We are so aware that all this ‘stuff’ sometimes gets in the way. We are also aware that, for so many this year, their normal Christmas will be affected by the cost of living. Help us all to see that the truth of Christmas is not related to things and wealth but the poverty of God in the manger.

Be awake, be ready, be prepared:
Christ our light is coming 

At this Advent time, in all that we do, help us to keep our eyes and ears open to see You among us. We pray that we will find you in the face of friend and stranger. That we will worship you in among all the fun and family time. We pray that we will be your compassionate hands and feet and lips to those around us who are hurting, afraid, homeless, lonely and overwhelmed. O come, O come Emmanuel and make us fit to serve you.

Be awake, be ready, be prepared:
Christ our light is coming near

Lord, we bring to you all those we know who are making preparations this week: those revising for exams, those preparing for operations or medical procedures, those arranging to travel to new or unfamiliar places, those preparing for a birth… or a death. Lord, please be present, be Emmanuel, to all these people… some known to us, but all known to you. Give diligence in the working, patience in the waiting, courage in the unfamiliar situations, your presence at the ends and the beginnings. Help everyone to be alert to your presence in every situation they face. And help us all to keep our eyes firmly fixed on you, whatever we are experiencing in the weeks to come.

Be awake, be ready, be prepared:
Christ our light is coming near

Lord, Emmanuel, we know we can only be fully prepared for life if we are fully focussed on you. Keep us from distractions, we pray. Help us to find creative ways to learn more about you and deepen our relationship with you even within the old, familiar stories. Help us also to be prepared to step away from the familiar into new things… following where you lead as you challenge us to become closer to you.

Be awake, be ready, be prepared:
Christ our light is coming near

Lord, prepare our hearts. Help our eyes to be open to see you. Teach us to be ready for everything you ask of us this week. Give us eyes and ears to see where your kingdom is coming around us and to join you as you work in our world.

Be awake, be ready, be prepared:
Christ our light is coming near

Lord, come to our hearts, our homes, our world
Amen

StF 706 Longing for light

Blessing
God of Advent, in this waiting season,
Whatever comes to me this week,
May it draw me to your love, draw me to your light, draw me to yourself;
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among
me, and remain with me always.
Amen

Order of Service prepared by Rev'd Susan McIvor
Prayers from twelvebaskets 'Worship at Home' - Opening prayers by Jane Bingham. Reflection and blessing - Tim Baker.