Don’t forget to join your church for the first portion of worship each week via ZOOM. Faith Covenant meets for some online face-to-face connection at 10:00am, and Holy Community meets at 10:30am. Contact your church for the ZOOM link!

2nd Sunday of Advent

Advent simply means “coming”. It is the season in which we remember and wait for the coming of Christ Jesus our Lord. We remember when he came to earth, born in Bethlehem, all those years ago. And, we wait with anticipation and readiness for Christ to come again. Join us on this 2nd week in this month long journey as we wait and watch for Jesus!

Song of the Season – “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

What word, phrase, or line catches you?

What about this connects with your prayer longing this Advent season?

Take a moment to text or email a line(s) to a friend or family member who could use this hope!

Reflection – Advent 2

Scripture Reading

Read aloud these words from Isaiah 61. After reading, hit ‘play’ on the instrumental audio of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus for a second listen. As you listen, slowly scroll past the images in the gallery below. Allow them to move you toward the time of intercessory prayer to follow. What people or situations is God leading you to pray for?

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.

Intercessory Prayer

How are you prompted to pray for others? For people you know? For situations?

Use this simple model of prayer. Simply say “Come, Lord Jesus…” and then fill in the blank with a short request. Repeat. Pray this way for as many people and situations as come to mind. Here are a few to get you started:

• Come, Lord Jesus… Bind up the brokenhearted.
• Come, Lord Jesus… Give comfort to those who are mourning.
• Come, Lord Jesus… Restore what is ruined.
• Come, Lord Jesus… Let my neighbour find their rest in You.
• Come, Lord Jesus… Provide for my friend ____________ who is in need.

Offering

May God bless and make fruitful the gifts of His people for His work in the world.

Benediction

Go now, and celebrate God’s love all your days.
Give to Christ Jesus the obedience of faith,
offering yourself as the servant of the Lord
and allowing God’s Word to be fulfilled in you.
And may the only wise God establish you forever.
May the mysteries of Christ be conceived within you.
And may the Holy Spirit strengthen you and encircle you.

Christmas Cheer BINGO

As Jesus’ people, our lives to be are signs of his Kingdom here and now. When we love our neighbours in Jesus’ name, we reveal the hope, peace, joy and love of Christ and his reign. We become like an early answer to the prayer “Come, Lord Jesus” which God will one day answer perfectly.

Print off these Christmas Cheer BINGO cards, and see what you can do to be part of sharing the goodness of Jesus Christ with others this season. Have some fun with it. See what you can do!