Call to worship
We come to prepare our hearts and minds once more to receive the Gospel of hope and healing. In this place we are invited to open ourselves to the Spirit of God, to prepare a place for God in our lives. Come then, let us worship God.
Acknowledgment of country
As we begin, it is appropriate to recognise that this great land has been home to our first nations peoples for many thousands of years. Let us also acknowledge those Aboriginal peoples who are the first inhabitants of the regions in which we dwell, and honour them for their care of the land.
Advent Candle Lighting
You may like to light a candle today to remind us that Christ is the Prince of Peace, the one promised from the beginning of the world.
We thank God for the hope he gives us and for the peace he bestows.
Lord, help us remember that to receive peace we must be prepared for it.
The people of God prepare again to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world.
Lord, help us to be ready for the day and the hour of Christ’s appearing. Work in our hearts at this time and help us to prepare ourselves for the peace that he brings, the inner peace that tells us we are united with you, and the outer peace which will come when he returns to judge the world.
SONG
The opening song is, “No love is higher”, courtesy of Emu Youth. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6rjMdSXoHU
Prayer
Let’s pray.
God of our Advent.
God of birth and life.
God of the cry going out to all the world,
We open our ears to your eternal calling down throughout the ages. [silence]
Forgive us when we simply make Advent a time of the past and forgo your invitation to us in the present. [silence]
With thankfulness let us come because of the Good News we have heard. With thankfulness let us come because of all your indwelling amongst us God. With thankfulness let us come as your people, longing for you to be born anew within and around us. Amen.
From the Bible
The Bible reading for today is from Matthew 24:36-44. The words of the reading are below. There is also a video of a dramatic re-enactment of the Gospel reading underneath.
Matthew 24:36-44
“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Dramatic readings from Lumo
Here is the dramatic re-enactment of the Gospel reading by the Lumo group. If you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs066RoPbN0
Message
The message is brought to you by Mark Faulkner and Geoff Wellington from the Saltbush Community. On this first week in Advent we can read our passage and easily default to a predictable conversation, or we can ask ourselves a difficult question – How do we live with an expectation of God doing something new in our own times, world, communities and lives?
How do we live with the expectation that God is present and active in our world, communities and lives? What did you hear in today’s word? How then might we respond?
Before a time of prayer you may like to spend some time in silence sitting still. Close your eyes lightly. Sit relaxed but alert. Simply be still and open to God. You may prefer to do this while listening to the ‘Optional reflective music’ below.
Optional reflective music
If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaWX-k11GWo&t=41s
Prayers for Others
Go to the video below for the ‘Prayer of the people’, which are led by from Ros Robinson. This video, which is from 2021, includes the Lord’s Prayer and a closing blessing by Keith. Please join in with saying the Lord’s Prayer.
Blessing
Go now and walk in the light of the Lord. Stay alert for the Lord is near. Put on the armour of light and live openly and honourably.
And may God clothe you in the light of Christ, may Christ Jesus teach you his ways, and may the Holy Spirit keep you alert and prepared for the coming day of the Lord.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Song
“Lo! He comes with clouds descending”, sung at . If you have problems connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cHmPHCljY8
Postlude
If you have trouble connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITBErfwzMNA
Fun Activities
Messy Family Fun Psalm 23
There are many fun activities at HomeFaith based on the theme of the ‘Good Shepherd’ at:
https://homefaith.net/resources/messy-family-fun-psalm-23-2022/
Pentecost Flames Salad Spinner Art and Prayer Ideas
Get a cheap salad spinner and use it to create some spinner art! It’s brilliant: quick, clean (because the spinner sits in its own bowl) and each piece is unique! The process of making the art really lends itself to Pentecost themes so here’s an idea to help celebrate the occasion. Go to the following link:
http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2014/04/pentecost-flames-salad-spinner-art-and.html
Resources
The opening prayer is based on content in the Saltbush service for this week, which can be found at:
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/advent-1-expectation-matthew-24-36-44/
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