O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other mightily,
and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.

cfEcclesiasticus 24.3; Wisdom 8.1

Isaiah 35:1-10 – God’s promise through the prophets

My God,

may I so know you and love you

that I may rejoice in you.

And if I may not do so fully in this life

let me go steadily on to the day

when I come to that fullness.

May I receive what you have promised

through your truth,

that my joy may be full.

Amen.

(A Prayer of Anselm)

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 – Habakkuk’s Complaint – and God’s reply

O Lord our God,

make us watchful and keep us faithful

as we await the coming of your Son our Lord;

that, when he shall appear,

he may not find us sleeping

but active in his service

and joyful in his praise;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

(Post Communion 1st Sunday of Advent CW)

2 Chronicles 36:11-21 – Defeat and Exile

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Maker of all things, judge of all men:

we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness,

which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed,

by thought, word and deed.

Have mercy upon us, most merciful father;

for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,

forgive us all that is past;

and grant that we may ever hereafter

serve and please thee in newness of life,

to the honour and glory of thy name.

Amen.

(Adapted Book of Common Prayer)

Don’t forget the third instalment of our Advent Pilgrimage this evening at 6.30pm St James’ Church. Our theme for this evening is JOY!

See you there!

1 Samuel 16:1-23 – David, God’s anointed King

Your will, not mine, Lord, be done in all things,

wherever you may place me,

in all that I do and in all that I may endure;

when I am troubled and when I am at peace.

When I find fulfilment and when it is lacking;

when I have all things, and when I have nothing,

your will be done.

All that I have and all that I am

I willingly offer to serve you,

as and where you choose,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

(Adapted from the Covenant Prayer, Methodist Worship Book)

Ruth Chapters 1-4 – Bethlehem: Ruth and Boaz

Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you:

You are gentle with us as a mother with her children;

Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness:

through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.

Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us:

in your love and tenderness remake us.

In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness:

for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.

Amen.

(A song of Anselm. Tr. Michael Vasey)

Joshua 2:1-21 – Rahab and the Israelite spies

O God,

forasmuch as without you

we are not able to please you;

mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit

may in all things direct, and rule our hearts;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen .

(adapted from the Book of Common Prayer)

Exodus 12:1-39 – From Slavery to Freedom

As children of God,

we pray for the freedom of our sisters and brothers throughout the world:

freedom from bondage and freedom from oppression,

freedom from hunger and freedom from want,

freedom from hatred and freedom from fear,

freedom to think and freedom to speak,

freedom to learn and freedom to love,

freedom to hope and freedom to rejoice.

Your Kingdom come.

Amen.

(Adapted GL)

Weekly News -13th December