Advent Sunday

 

Advent Sunday

Come Lord be known in your church, for without you we have no message.

Come fill us with your presence, that we may proclaim your peace.

Lord, make us aware, alert to your coming, that we may reveal your glory in the world.

Amen

 

We pray for those that walk in darkness, that they may see your light.

We remember those whose lives are clouded with troubles and pray that they may behold your glory.

Lord, stir up your strength and come among us.

 

Come Lord and give peace to your world.

Disperse the clouds of war and violence.

Let your power and your glory be revealed to the nations.

We pray for all who watch and wait while we sleep: for the police, hospital workers and paramedics, for fire fighters, cleaners and transport workers who work in the hours of the night.

Lord, stir up your strength and come among us.

 

Come Lord and be known in our homes, that our homes may reflect your love.

May we always rejoice in the company of others that we may be fully aware of others and sensitive to their needs.

Lord, stir up your strength and come among us.

 

Come Lord to those who cannot cope at this time; to all who are weighed down with troubles.

We pray for the ill and those who care for them.

We remember those whose lives are clouded with despair.

We remember friends and loved ones in their troubles………

Lord, stir up your strength and come among us.

 

Come Lord of our salvation and save us and we shall be saved.

We pray for friends and loved ones departed……………….

May they now rejoice in the fullness of your presence and your glory.

Lord, stir up your strength and come among us.

 

Our Bible readings for this week: 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

 

Mark 13: 24-37

“But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.“ But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

Collect

Almighty God as your kingdom dawns,

turn us away from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness,

that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen

 

Come Lord, come down, come in, come among us.

Enter into our darkness with your light.

Come fill our emptiness with your presence.

 Dispel the clouds and reveal your glory.

Come refresh, renew, restore us.

Come Lord, come down, come in, come among us.

Amen

 

Blessing

May the Lord find us alert to his coming, open to his presence, aware of his love.

 And may the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with us and our loved ones, now and for ever.

Amen

 

When the Lord comes he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness, and will disclose the purposes of the heart.

Maranatha, come Lord Jesus