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!

1st 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 in this 4 week journey as we wait and watch for Jesus!

Songs of the Season – “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
in the body and the blood;
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heav’nly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light decendeth,
from the realms of endless day,
that the pow’rs of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.

At his feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim, with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

Is there a phrase, line or verse that stands out to you? Why do you suppose this is?

What does this song call you towards that you have been forgetting?

Please add your reflection in the comments section to encourage others.

Message – Advent 1

Responding in Prayer

Instructions for Prayer

Silence – Centering Prayer
1. Take a comfortable position and posture. Close your eyes if it helps you. Take a few deep breaths in and out.
2. Begin by simply repeating the words of Habakkuk 2:20: “The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silent before Him.”
3. Now, simply keep silence – both outwardly and inwardly. Allow yourself to be still with God. If busy thoughts start to pop into your mind (they always do), gently brush them to the side for the time being.
4. Continue to breath deeply and keep silence for 2 to 3 minutes. If you find you’ve been drawn off into the noise of thought or if distractions arise, return to the words from Habakkuk 2:20 and to silence.

Listening – An Examen
1. After the time of centering, take some time to listen to God. Quietly replay the last few days of life in your mind as though you fast-forwarding through the footage of your own life.
2. Slow down “the tape” and pay closer attention to any moments that feel especially significant to you. Ask God, what he wants you to notice about these moments and listen for an answer.
3. If no particular moments stick out, are there any themes that seem prevalent? Emotions that linger a long time? Ask God what he wants you to notice here.
4. Listen with an ear for any invitation God seems to be giving you in your life right now. Give yourself another 5 minutes or so for this time of prayer.
5. End with a few more moments of silence and repeating those words from Habakkuk 2:20.

Offerings of Thanks

While we watch and wait for Christ’s return we recognize that Christ has made us partners in his work. Like in the parable of talents (Matthew 25:14-30) we are to put the gifts the master has bestowed us with to work for Kingdom good and growth.

We are grateful for the ways you have been faithful and partnered with our churches in this trying season. It makes a difference. Thanks be to God.

Benediction – 1 John 2:28 (The Message)

And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we’ll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives.

Reminder: ZOOM Worship for FCC and HCCC

Contact Faith Covenant for more information.
Contact Holy Community for more information.

Below is the reflective, self-paced, Spirit-guided portion of our Sunday worship. It typically includes a message and prayer response or formation practice. Our churches have also begun meeting separately on Zoom for the visible, shared community, Spirit-guided portion of our Sunday worship.

We invite you to make both a part of your worship in this season!

Message – Christ the King (Psalm 100/John 10)

Guided Prayer – John 10

1. Grab a pen or pencil and some paper.
2. Close your eyes. Picture a pasture with a good shepherd and his flock. Really set the scene; use your imagination. Is it very green? Is it hilly, or mostly flat? Can you see or hear water? What does the air smell like? What temperature is it? What does the ground feel like under your feet? Give yourself some time to linger on the scene. Carefully watch the shepherd as he carefully watches his sheep. If you’re feeling artsy, draw or sketch out the scene.
3. After you’ve lingered on the scene for a few minutes, consider a few questions, and write down any thoughts that emerge:
   • What does the voice of the Good Shepherd sound like in this scene? Is it clear? Is it faint or distant? Is it nearby to you?
   • What’s the tone of the Good Shepherd’s voice? Is it comforting? Peaceful? Is it stern? Muddled? Indistinguishable? Unrecognizable?
   • Jesus talks about a thief who comes to try and steal away the shepherd’s sheep. Do you notice the thief skulking around on the landscape? What’s that character up to? How are they seeking to draw sheep away or bring harm to the flock?  
   • Are the sheep all in one spot? Have some wandered off?
   • What about you…? Where are you in this scenario? 
   • The Good shepherd wants to provide and tend and protect and care for you too. The Good Shepherd wants you to find fresh living water, and green pastures, and abundant life…. What would that look like? How do you imagine it?
   • What is the voice of the Good Shepherd saying to you…? Is there a specific invitation in his voice? A command? An encouragement?
4. After jotting down some thoughts and reflections on the scene you’ve imagined, go to prayer. Talk to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, about what you’ve pictured.
5. Listen some more. Is there anything more Jesus wants to say to you?
6. If you would like, you can close your time with this prayer:

Faithful Shepherd,
You are not a hired hand who runs away at the sight of danger;
Your faithfulness was tested
and proven on the wood of the Cross.
Accept the gift of our gratitude
for Your marvelous care.
Help us to hear and follow Your voice.

Watchful Shepherd,
who protects the flock
and searches tirelessly
for those who wander from the fold,
retrieve the lost and bring them home.
Tend and heal their wounds.

Good Shepherd,
who lays down His Life for His sheep,
refresh and strengthen Your people
at the spring of Living Water that never ends.

Amen.

Benediction – Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Receive this song as your sung benediction. Take a few moments to thank God for meeting with you this day!

We are incredibly thankful for your support! We appreciate your faithfulness in the tithes, offerings and each and every gift. We seek to steward them well in this challenging season. Thanks be to God for his provision in every season!

Reminder: ZOOM Worship for FCC and HCCC

In addition to the worship content that will continue to be posted here each Sunday (video sermons, music, prayer and scripture reflections), both Faith Covenant Church and Holy Community are now adding a live component to their online worship services via ZOOM (10:00am for FCC, and 10:30am for HCCC). We hope adding these gatherings to our online worship increases the sense that our worship really is something we share in together, even while physically apart!

Contact Faith Covenant for more information.
Contact Holy Community for more information.

Scripture Reading – Malachi 1:11

My name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

All around the world, across all countries, people are joining a great movement of worship and prayer as the sun rises across the earth on this Sunday morning. Even in a global pandemic! You are joining them – the Church – as you sing and pray and present offerings of praise today.

Song of Worship – “Here I Am to Worship”

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love’s sake became poor

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

Well, I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

Quiet and Prayer

Give yourself two minutes for some quiet and prayer as you ready to hear the sermon. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, in and out. When you are ready, make this prayer your own:

God our Father,
Lord Jesus Christ,
Holy Spirit:
You are the One God.
The God who created me,
the God who has always loved me,
the God who has placed a holy calling on my life.
Make me deeply attentive to Your Words – especially those words that are uniquely for me right here and now.
Open my ears. Ready my heart. Transform my will in any way that it is misaligned with Your will for me.
Amen.

Sermon – Malachi

Questions for Reflection

Consider how attentive you have been to God’s love, praiseworthiness, faithfulness, holiness, his Word, and His goodness in the past days and weeks. How have you become “spiritually careless” amid all the worries and concerns of life?

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Listen. What is the invitation God is giving you today? If you are with others, consider sharing that invitation out loud.

Take a moment to pray for yourself and for others who come to mind. Ask for a new or refreshed awareness of God’s love in your/their life.

Song of Worship – “Faithful and True”

How can I serve anyone but You?
How can I serve anyone but You?
How can I serve anyone but You?
How can I serve anyone but You?

You are faithful, You are true
You are mercy, You shine through
The darkness cannot hide You
It cannot hide You,
Oh my God

How can I serve anyone but You?
How can I serve anyone but You?
How can I serve anyone but You?
How can I serve anyone but You?

You are faithful You are true
You are mercy, You shine through
The darkness cannot hide You
It cannot hide You,
Oh my God

You are faithful You are true
You are mercy, You shine through
The darkness cannot hide You
It cannot hide You,
Oh my God

Offering

Malachi 3:10-12 says:

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.  “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Like in the situation specific to Malachi, our acts of giving and generosity speak to our willingness to trust God with our own provision. If God can be trusted to bless us and take care of us, then we can be freed up to give: to the shared ministry of our church, and to the needs of others around us.

May your gifts today be given trusting God, and may they increase your trust in God as you see Him faithful to provide for and bless you.

Benediction