28 November 2021
Bible readings for today |
CollectAlmighty God,
prophets and scriptures prepare your way: open our minds to discern your purpose, turn us from all darkness, and prepare us for the coming of your light. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen |
1st week of Advent: HopeLighting the Advent CandleThe lighting of the Advent candles each week is a wonderful opportunity to remind us what each candle stands for and gather us together for our journey through Advent. In all the mess and busyness in our lives, God brings hope. The focus this week in Advent is Hope.
Today we light the candle of hope, but this kind of hope, isn't just about wishing we had something. No, this kind of hope, the kind that Jesus gives us, is when we know something is going to happen. We hope that he's coming soon and we know he will because that's what God promised. Jesus is coming and we need to get ready. A candle of hopeWhat you need:
What you do: Light one candle to symbolise Hope. Say: This is the candle of Hope. Read Luke 1: 26-38 about the angel Gabriel coming to tell Mary she would be the mother of the Son of God. Say: I wonder what Mary hoped for. I wonder what you hope for. Pray: Thank you God for giving us Hope and for helping us know that something wonderful is coming even when things are hard. Help us to remember that we can always have hope because you are always there for us. Advent Wreath SongA simple song that can be sung after the lighting of the Advent candle each week (to the tune of Frere Jacques)
Light of Jesus, Light of Jesus, Show the way, Show the way, Shine in us forever, Shine in us forever, This we pray, This we pray. Intergenerational AdventSomething is coming Advent resource (Intergen AU)
Rags to Riches - An intergenerational all age service (SUNZ) Intergenerational Christmas resource (mainly Ministries) More ideas...Our Strandz website has lots of Advent and Christmas ideas
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Kiwi Advent Illustrations
You can download these Kiwi Advent Illustrations over on our Strandz website
At home advent calendarsWooden Spiral
Salt Dough Spiral Jesse Tree (SUNZ) Advent Candle Another option is to use a candle, and mark off 24 sections (leaving a stub big enough to put in your candle holder and safely light the candle on Christmas Eve). Burn the candle each day. A taller, thinner candle will work better than a pillar candle as children can easily see the candle getting shorter each day. You will find an example and instructions here, though just writing the numbers on the candle with a permanent marker also works! Bible ProjectBibleProject have an Advent poster for Hope, you can download it here
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Media
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Things to come (Luke 21:25-36)
Gospel ConversationsThe Apocalyptic gospel passages continue this week, and Bishop Kelvin, Damon and Peg engage in an energised discussion about them, bravely tackling their strangeness - and yet their strange familiarity. "Wars and rumours of wars", natural disasters, and threats to safety have always been with us. Together with Michael Godfrey, the team discuss what the Gospel can tell us of life and hope and love in the face of such things - even in the face of a pandemic.
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Jeremiah 33:14-16
These words from Jeremiah speak of the abundant hope that Jesus brings, fulfilling all the hopes of those waiting for a promised Messiah.
14 “The day will come, says the Lord, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them.
15 “In those days and at that time
I will raise up a righteous descendant[a] from King David’s line.
He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
16 In that day Judah will be saved,
and Jerusalem will live in safety.
And this will be its name:
‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.'
14 “The day will come, says the Lord, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them.
15 “In those days and at that time
I will raise up a righteous descendant[a] from King David’s line.
He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
16 In that day Judah will be saved,
and Jerusalem will live in safety.
And this will be its name:
‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.'
