Monday, November 27, 2017

An Advent Garden (3 December 2017)

Some years ago Katherine Cotton developed a liturgical introduction to Advent to be used by our church school.  It became so popular that it has formed the rite we use on at the 10.00 service on the First Sunday of Advent.

We gather in the Hall which has been darkened.  In the centre of the hall is a labyrinth made of cedar and fir boughs.  At the centre of the labyrinth is a single candle on a stand.

After the liturgy begins, the community is invited to walk the labyrinth with a votive candle.  At any point on their journey they may leave the candle.  By the end the room is filled with light.

The First Sunday of Advent

3 December 2017


The Advent Garden


The Gathering of the Community


Thanksgiving for the Light


The Deacon begins the liturgy by reading the following.

            1.1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.  3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

A single candle is lit in the midst of the Advent Garden.  After the candle is lit, the Deacon continues as follows.

4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.  5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.  And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

The Presider then begins the Thanksgiving for the Light.

Arise shine, our light is coming;
the glory of the Lord is rising upon us.
Though night still covers the earth
and darkness covers the nations,
over us will the Lord arise,
over us will the glory of God appear.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
ruler of the universe, creator of light and darkness.
In this holy season,
when the sun’s light is swallowed up
by the growing darkness of the night,
you renew your promise to reveal among us
the splendour of your glory,
enfleshed and visible to us in Jesus Christ your Son.
Through the prophets
you teach us to hope for his reign of peace.
Through the outpouring of his Spirit,
you open our blindness to the glory of his presence.
Strengthen us in our weakness.
Support us in our stumbling efforts to do your will
and free our tongues to sing your praise.
For to you all honour and blessing are due,
now and for ever.  Amen.

After the Thanksgiving the Community is invited to walk the Labyrinth.  As they walk the Labyrinth they may light their own candles to bring light into the space.  During the walking of the Labyrinth and the lighting of the candles appropriate music will be played.  When all are finished, the following Hymn is sung.

Hymn of Light


‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’  Common Praise #89 vv. 1, 2, 3

Opening Prayer


The Presider leads the Community in the following Prayer.

Let us pray.

God of unveiled truth,
in times od darkened sun and waning moon,
lift up our hearts and waken our love
to announce the coming dawn of unexpected peace;
through Jesus Christ, the one who is to come.  Amen.

The Proclamation of the Word


The First Reading:  Isaiah 64.1-9


A reading from the prophet Isaiah.

            64.1 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence — 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil — to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!  3 When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.  4 From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.  5 You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways.  But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed.  6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.  We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.  7 There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.  8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.  9 Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.

The Psalm:  Psalm 80.1-7, 16-18 from Songs for the Holy One


Refrain (sung twice):  O Holy One restore us.  Reveal your radiance so we can be freed.

Israel’s Shepherd, please, oh please listen!
Joseph’s Guide, enthroned on cherubim,
flash forth in splendour on your people!
Rouse your boundless powers!
Come, set us free!

Refrain:  O Holy One restore us.  Reveal your radiance so we can be freed.

Sovereign God, how long?
How long will you fume at your people’s prayers?
You fed us misery for bread;
you made us drink overflowing tears.
You made us fair game for our neighbours;
our enemies sneer in our faces.

Refrain:  O Holy One restore us.  Reveal your radiance so we can be freed.

You plucked a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the peoples,
planted the vine.
May your arms support the people of your right hand,
those you have made strong for yourself.
Then we will never desert you.
Give us life!
We will always call upon you.

Refrain:  O Holy One restore us.  Reveal your radiance so we can be freed.

The Second Reading:  Mark 13.24-37


The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

            13.24 [Jesus said,] But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in cloudswith great power and glory.  27 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.

            28 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.  29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.  30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.  31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

            32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.  34 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.  35 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, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.  37 And what I say to you I say to all:  Keep awake.

The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Hymn of the Day


‘When the King Shall Come Again’  Common Praise  #114

The Prayers of the Community


Intercessions, Petitions and Thanksgivings


The appointed person leads the following intercessions, petitions and thanksgivings.

Let us offer our intercessions, petitions and thanksgivings, saying,
‘O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.’
O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the peace of the world,
that our instruments of war may be transformed into instruments of peace,
and that nations shall cease to learn way any more.
O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the church,
that we may become more and more a means of grace and peace in the world.
O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all people of good will to cast off the works of darkness,
that we may be enlightened through our service of others in the name of Christ.
O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are in need [especially . . . ],
that we may be alert to the presence of Christ in them and ready to reach out in love.
O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are assembled here today,
that we may be clothed with the Lord Jesus Christ
and go forth from this place to be Christ in the world.
O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who have asked for our prayers [especially . . . ],
that we may faithfully wait upon God with confidence
in that love which sustains us in every moment of our lives.
O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We praise you, Lord our God,
that you have called us to be your people
and the instruments of your presence in the world.
O God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant us grace to discern your will and the strength to do it,
through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Offertory Hymn


‘Blessed Be the God of Israel’  Common Praise #11

Prayer over the Gifts


After the gifts have been received, the Presider leads the Community in the following prayer.

Let us pray.

God of love and power,
your word stirs within us the expectation
of the coming of your Son.
Accept all we offer you this day,
and sustain us with your promise of eternal life.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Lords Prayer


Awaiting his coming in glory,
let us pray as our Saviour has taught us,

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.  Amen.

The Sending Forth of the Community


The Exchange of the Peace


The Deacon sends the Community forth with these words.

May the peace of Christ whose day draws near be with you.
And also with you.

The Community exchanges the Peace with one another.


An Ordo for Advent 1B (3 December 2017)

Here is our Advent Ordo for the First Sunday of Advent.  Since we have the Advent Garden at 10.00, this is our eucharistic liturgy for the 8.00 service, the first eucharist of Advent.

The First Sunday of Advent

3 December 2017


The Gathering of the Community


The Greeting


Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who has come to set us free,
who has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,
born from the house of David. Amen.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath


Come, O Lord, and set us free.
Maranatha.

Desert and dry land will grow green in praise;
clay will rejoice with full bloom:
showers of flowers given birth in dead earth;
in colours they echo Loves song.

Come, O Lord, and set us free.
Maranatha.

Collect of the Day


Let us pray.

God of unveiled truth,
in times of darkened sun and waning moon,
lift up our hearts and waken our love
to announce the coming dawn of unexpected peace;
through Jesus Christ, the one who is to come.  Amen.

The Proclamation of the Word


The First Reading:  Isaiah 64.1-9


A reading from the prophet Isaiah.

            64.1 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!  3 When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.  4 From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.  5 You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways.  But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed.  6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.  We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.  7 There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.  8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.  9 Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Thanks be to God.

The Psalm:  Psalm 80.1-7, 16-18


1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
            shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
            stir up your strength and come to help us.
3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
            show the light of your countenance,
            and we shall be saved.
4 O Lord God of hosts, *
            how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
            you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6 You have made us the derision of our neighbours, *
            and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
            show the light of your countenance,
            and we shall be saved.
17 Let your hand be upon the one at your side in honour, *
            the one you have made so strong for yourself.
18 And so will we never turn away from you; *
            give us life, that we may call upon your name.
19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; *
            show the light of your countenance,
            and we shall be saved.

The Gospel:  Mark 13.24-37


The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

            13.24 [Jesus said,] But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in cloudswith great power and glory.  27 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.

            28 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.  29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.  30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.  31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

            32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.  34 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.  35 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, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.  37 And what I say to you I say to all:  Keep awake.

The Homily


The Apostles Creed


Let us confess the faith of our baptism.

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord. 
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary. 
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried. 
He descended to the dead. 
On the third day he rose again. 
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.  Amen.

The Prayers of the Community


Intercessions, Thanksgivings and Petitions


Confession and Absolution


Let us pray for the forgiveness of our sins.

Have mercy upon us, most merciful God;
in your compassion, forgive us our sins,
known and unknown,
things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honour and glory of your name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

May the God of love and power
forgive you and free you from your sins,
heal and strengthen you by the Holy Spirit
and raise you to new life in Jesus Christ.  Amen.

The Exchange of the Peace


May the peace of Christ whose day draws near be with you.
And also with you.

The Holy Communion


Prayer over the Gifts


Let us pray.

God of love and power,
your word stirs within us the expectation
of the coming of your Son.
Accept all we offer you this day,
and sustain us with your promise of eternal life.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving


The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,
through our Saviour Jesus Christ. 
You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer,
through whom you will also make all things new
in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. 
And so, with all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory. 
Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 
Hosanna in the highest.

Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: 
Blessed are you for the birth of creation. 
Blessed are in the darkness and in the light. 
Blessed are you for your promise to your people. 
Blessed are you in the prophetshopes and dreams. 
Blessed are you for Marys openness to your will. 
Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh.

In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: 
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. 
Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying: 
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. 
Do this for the remembrance of me.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: 
Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again.

With this bread and cup
we remember your Word dwelling among us,
full of grace and truth. 
We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. 
We look with hope for his coming. 
Come, Lord Jesus.

Holy God, we long for your Spirit. 
Come among us.  Bless this meal. 
May your Word take flesh in us. 
Awaken your people.  Fill us with your light. 
Bring the gift of peace on earth. 
Come, Holy Spirit.

All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel,
Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High,
one God, now and forever.  Amen.

The Lords Prayer


Awaiting his coming in glory,
let us pray as our Saviour has taught us,

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.  Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread


God of promise,
you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom.
Happy are those who are called
to the supper of the Lamb.

The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

The Communion


The Sending Forth of the Community


Prayer after Communion


Let us pray.

God for whom we wait,
you have fed us with the bread of eternal life.
Keep us ever watchful,
that we may be ready to stand before the Son of man.
We ask this in the name of Christ the Lord.  Amen.

Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever.  Amen.

The Dismissal


Go forth in the name of Christ and be watchful,
for the promises of God will be fulfilled.
Thanks be to God.