Advent 1 & St Andrew's Sunday Nov 29 2020
Sadly our services in church are cancelled for Covid protection
THE GATHERING OF THE CHURCH
Announcements: Look for these down at the end of the order of service
Sunday, 22nd November 2020
The Reign of Christ
St. Andrew by-the-Lake
Toronto Islands
www.standrewbythelake.com
Priest- David Howells 416-890-4578
Church Office – 416-203-0873
Warden - Bella Beazer 416-203-4142
Warden – Jane Davidson-Neville 416-203- 8564
Deputy Warden & Synod Rep – Julia Weldon Tait
Deputy Warden - Nancy Kendrew
Outreach Chair – Graham Mudge 416-203-3556
Treasurer/Bookings – Joyce Rogers 416-203-0987
Musicians--
Roger Sharp, Julia Weldon Tait,
& Jane Davidson-Neville
Sung music selected by Jane Davidson-Neville
Instrumental music selected by Roger Sharp
THE GATHERING OF THE CHURCH
Today is the first Sunday of the Liturgical Year!
Advent Sunday begins the story again
looking forward in preparation from the birth of the Saviour
Today is also
St Andrew’s Day Sunday
Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your Holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A note about the service format.
When we are not together we cannot share the Eucharist/Communion.
I think we should use a service which allows that to be acknowledged.
I have edited this service as I did in the first Covid lockdown.
Please send me any comments you might have on this.
Take a moment of stillness. Light a candle and .... take a few moments before going on.
May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me today.
And with us all.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collect (the Collect “collects” together the themes of the readings and the season)
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility,
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Opening Hymn. #110 ‘Sleepers, Wake’ a Voice Astounds Us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aZ2VLx6OZc
"Sleepers, wake!" A voice astounds us, the shout of rampart-guards surrounds us: "Awake, Jerusalem, arise!" Midnight's peace their cry has broken, their urgent summons clearly spoken: "The time has come, O maidens wise! Rise up and give us light; the Bridegroom is in sight. Alleluia! Your lamps prepare and hasten there, that you the wedding feast may share."
Zion hears the watchmen singing; her heart with joyful hope is springing, she wakes and hurries through the night. Forth he comes, her Bridegroom glorious in strength of grace, in truth victorious: her star is risen, her light grows bright. Now come, most worthy Lord, God's Son, Incarnate Word, Alleluia! We follow all and heed your call to come into the banquet hall.
Lamb of God, the heavens adore you; let saints and angels sing before you, as harps and cymbals swell the sound. Twelve great pearls, the city's portals: through them we stream to join th' immortals as we with joy your throne surround. No eye has known the sight, no ear heard such delight: Alleluia! Therefore we sing to greet our King; for ever let our praises ring.
1st Reading from Isaiah 64:1-9
O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence--
as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil-- to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!
When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed.
We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.
Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
2nd Reading 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always for you
because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus,
for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind--
just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you--
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn ‘Come, O Lord, and Set Us Free’
Come, O Lord, and set us free. Give your people peace.
Come, O Lord, and set us free. Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, O Lord, and set us free. Bring your people peace.
(And take our guilt away. Give us your pardon.)
Music by John L. Bell
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
May the Lord be with me.
And with us all.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. (Mark 13:24-37)
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
"But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory.
Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds,
from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves,
you know that summer is near.
So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
"But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge,
each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.
Therefore, keep awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come,
in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn,
or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.
And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."
This is the Gospel of Christ
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflections on the readings for click here for video 2020,11,29
Advent Sunday
Advent comes from 2 words, “ad” meaning towards and “Venir” meaning to come.
Ad-vent means “to come towards”.
But, towards what?
“Put away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light” says the collect.
Mark talks about darkness: The sun and moon darkened, the stars put out.
The absence of light, the feeling that everything is collapsing. Only Jesus’ words will remain, whispered in the darkness, the link of hearing, remembering, when all else is gone.
“Stay awake!” Mark says. “Keep awake!”
How? Perhaps the small flashlight you had as a child, under the darkness of night, beneath the blankets, a small light, a secret light, in the darkness, and the smile on your face.
I have a memory of being a small child at a birthday party. We, excited children, were hushed and the lights went out. Suddenly and unexpected. I felt unsure, confused, perhaps unsafe. And then a door opened and in came the cake, candle laden, the only light we had. And it was.....beautiful!
Stay awake, keep aware, keep awake says Jesus in Mark’s story.
Staying awake and not being asleep are not quite the same thing.
I can go up to my study to prepare a sermon, and I can quite easily remain busy and focussed. But where my focus goes is another matter.
I may be half way through reading the gospel and a ping goes off to let me know an email has arrived. So I look at it and decide to reply. That leads me into a very different subject which, today, was an old friend I haven’t seen much of since we were at University together. Very engaged and excited I write back. Then I see who else has an unopened email for me....... Not asleep, but not awake to the sermon I am trying to stay with, to focus on.
I have drifted off, away from the presence of the Holy Spirit moving through the sacred readings that I am trying to pay attention to. My eyes were not closed but I was asleep to the God, whose words I was hoping to catch.
Close to day dreaming, sleep walking, dozing.
Mark shouts out to me.... “Stay awake! Keep your wits about you! Be aware! Stay Awake!”
At the introduction to the service there is a note about lighting a candle. I wonder how many people actually do that. Do you? Did you today?
The candle is both for illumination, and as a focus of your attention, a symbol of the nature of the divine as fire, warmth, light and danger; a consuming force.
Isaiah has an image I like. The potter at the wheel. Many of you will know that I am also a potter, and have, from time to time taught classes. Someone just beginning does not go straight to a wheel. First you take your bag of clay and cut off a workable amount. (Today as you pray think about how much can you pray for. I mean really pray for, in detail, with a feeling for it? World peace is too big for us to pray for. Find something that matters to you. Regarding world peace, mostly we can actually pray for our lack of peace with great Uncle Grizwald...)
Back to clay....And then you soften the clay up, you “wake up” the clay by kneeding it like dough. Then you go to the wheel and whack it down hard near the middle. It has to stick to the wheel. (You have to get your attention to stick to something real in prayer)
And then you start the wheel turning. Not too fast or it throws you off. The lump you threw down in the middle never actually is in the middle. There is some hard work pushing from the sides as the lumps and bumps come around and being stronger than them, forcing them in and upwards. It takes a few weeks to learning to centre!
Then you have to make an opening. You have to make an empty space where there was clay before. You have to burrow down with your fingers in the middle of the mound of clay and make a tunnel down. Then you have to push that outwards at the same time as your outside hand has to push back at the centre.
Slowly, magically, walls begin to rise off the wheel and a space is created in the middle. You have a simple pot!
Finally, with any piece of pottery, the emptiness of the clay vessel is what makes it useful.
Finally, with prayer before God, it is the emptiness you can keep in your soul that makes space for God to come in.
It takes a while to learn to drop into deep prayer. To shut out the noise outside and inside your head. To be quiet and a receptive is an art acquired with practice.
In prayer and in pottery you have to pay attention. You have to stay awake. You have to stay open.
Pottery is mastered by practice
To find yourself, and to find God, at any useful depth, you need practice.
In the service, towards the end, I have given you four versions of the Lord’s Prayer. Unfortunately Jesus didn’t speak English, but lived in a culture vastly different from our own. All we have is translations, none of which are perfect, but all of which incline us towards Jesus’s words.
I invite you this week to take an hour each day. Perhaps chose 4 days for this, and three days off!
Find a place to sit for 30 minutes. Set a bell on your watch or kitchen timer so you can not worry about time.
Look at these Lord’s prayers and decide to take one for that day. Then settle down comfortably, but with a straight back. Your phone should be off, your door closed, interruptions excluded.
Pray the prayer in a straight line into God’s heart. Then pause. Notice what is happening. If you notice your mind wandering, then like a distracted sheep, gently bring it back and focus. Start again. In a total of 30 minutes expect to start again many times. You’ll get better with practice.
Savour a line, rolling it around in your mind like a candy in your mouth. Let it be like looking at a jewel from different directions. Just see how much is said in each line. In 30 minutes you may only read three or four lines. That is still a well spent ½ hour!
Slowly you might move away from what you think the phrase says, to wondering what Jesus thinks the phrased says. “what Jesus thinks”, because Jesus is there with you, and slow repeated practice like this lets you begin to notice him. “What are you saying to me Jesus? Does this mean.....? I have been wondering what you are saying to me.”
Learning to pray, to be present before the One you cannot see or touch, is a practiced thing. Slowly, slowly it gets easier. It is you coming into the light. It is the clay of your soul beginning to centre itself, and you are learning how to become open in the middle, in the centre of yourself. And God is planting a tiny source of light there.
Advent. To come towards. You to God. God towards you. Making space.
In peace
David
Reflection Music ‘For unto Us a Child is Born’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS3vpAWW2Zc
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:5)
From Handel’s Messiah
THE PRAYERS WE SHARE TOGETHER
Let us pray for ourselves and each other, and for those that we do not know, but who you know, God.
We remember those we know who are sick in body mind or spirit, especially Brian, Bob, Rose, Frieda, Penny, Enid, Anne and Craig and family, Hugh, Donna, Ken...........
We pray for those who are close to death or who have passed through death, remembering Al, Joey, Mick, Paulette, Fred, Ron, Michael, .........
.....
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for All Saints, Collingwood, its community Coffee, Cookies, and Conversation gatherings, monthly Friendship Dinner, support of the local food bank, refugee sponsorship, and the work of its Green Team;
for All Saints, King City, its provision of meals for residents of Cross-links Housing, participation in local community outreach, refugee sponsorship, and support of the Pikangikum Water Project;
and for All Saints, Kingsway, its community garden and involvement in programs at All Saints, Sherbourne Street, Stonegate Ecumenical Ministry, Watoto Schools in Uganda, and Habitat for Humanity.
We pray for ourselves, that you, gentle Christ, would help us to be part of your kingdom, and have you Jesus, as our teacher, model and king. Give us grace to walk in your light, step beyond our safety a little, and live as you would have us in this beautiful and broken world.
Take some moments to remember the faces that you saw recently who are hungry, broken, lost and in need of help.
May God bless them, perhaps through you.
All of our longings and our fears, our hopes and our desires we bring to you. Hear our prayers, gracious God. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers of Reconciliation
Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; welcoming sinners and inviting them to this table. Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.
Silence is kept.
Most merciful God,
I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbours as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me, that I may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.
May you, the Almighty God, have mercy upon me, pardon and deliver me from all my sins, confirm and strengthen me in all goodness, and keep me in eternal life, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
The Peace
May the peace of the Lord be always with us.
Although we cannot meet together for the Eucharist, we can bless food and drink, and holding Christ in remembrance, give thanks that in a meal shared with others, or eaten alone, Christ sits at our table and invites us to be in his presence. This can be at any meal, or, as you read or say these words, you may have something small to eat and to drink, and share in remembrance of Jesus’s last supper.
A Prayer over a Sunday Meal
May the Lord be with me.
To you O God, I lift up my heart. I will lift it to you O Lord.
I will give thanks to you, Lord our God.
It is right to give my thanks and praise.
It is indeed right that we all should praise you, gracious God, for you created all things.
You formed us in your own image: just as we are, you created us.
When we turned away from you in sin, you did not cease to care for us,
but opened a path of salvation for all people.
You made a covenant with Israel, and through your servants Abraham and Sarah
gave the promise of a blessing to all nations.
Through Moses you led your people from bondage into freedom;
through the prophets you renewed your promise of salvation.
Therefore, with them, and with all your saints who have served you in every age,
we give thanks and raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.
Holy God, source of life and goodness, all creation rightly gives you praise.
In the fullness of time, you sent your Son Jesus Christ, to share our human nature,
to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He healed the sick and ate and drank with outcasts and sinners; he opened the eyes of the blind
and proclaimed the good news of your kingdom to the poor and to those in need.
In all things he fulfilled your gracious will.
On the night he freely gave himself to death, at a meal with his friends, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread,
and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said,
“Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said,
“Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Alone, or with others, I will ask your blessing on my food and drink.
As I need these to live, so I need your presence in my heart to live a Christ-like life here and now.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon our food, that all who eat at each table
may be of one body and one holy people, a living offering of love in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours,
Almighty Father, now and for ever.
Amen.
4 Translations of the Lord’s Prayer
( use a different one each day this week)
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil,
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
Now and for ever. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven
hallowed be they name.
They kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil,
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory
for ever and ever. Amen
Beloved, our Father and Mother,
in whom is heaven, hallowed be your name, followed be your royal way,
done be your will and rule,
throughout the whole creation.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another,
forgive us. In times of temptation and test, Strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen."
FROM 'HUMAN RITES' BY WARD AND WILD.
Eternal Spirit Earth-Maker,
Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all.
Loving God, in whom is heaven.
The hallowing of your name
echoes through the universe!
The way of your justice
be followed by the peoples of the earth!
Your heavenly will be done
by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.
NEW ZEALAND PRAYER BOOK
Closing Hymn #546 ‘God Moves in a Mysterious Way’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d04rK-OljW8
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill he treasures up his bright designs and works his sovereign will.
You fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds you so much dread are big with mercy and shall break
in blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace; behind a frowning providence he hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding ev'ry hour. The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flow'r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan his work in vain. God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain.
Text by William Cowper (1731 to 1800)
Ending Prayer
God of justice and peace,
from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness,
that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder
before your marvelous deeds.
Raise our heads in expectation,
that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord
and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
The Blessing
May God’s love surround us, God’s Spirit guide us,
God’s whisper challenge us, God’s peace calm us,
May God’s shield protect us, God’s wisdom arm us, wherever God may lead us.
We will depart in Peace and strive to live in God’s presence
in the name of the Lord. Amen! Alleluia!
NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK
Weekly/Monthly Donations
Sincere thanks to all of you who have contributed regularly to St. Andrew’s especially since March 8 when our world turned topsy-turvy. I appreciate that the donations come in a variety of ways at a variety of times. You have found a way that works for you and gets deposited in the church account. Thank you.
Here are several ways you can support your church:
PAR - Pre-Authorized Remittance. This is the best way we have found to help. It is secure and well recommended. For information contact Joyce Rogers at standrewbookings@gmail.com
You can continue to use these methods of support too..
E-Transfer - Use email: standrewbookings@gmail.com
Canada Helps – See the link in the announcement section or go to the website.
https://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=d65834
St Andrew’s Day
I was going to write you all a quick summary of who St Andrew was, so I went to Wikipedia to see what I had missed.
Well....lots! So much so that here is the link....
David
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_the_Apostle
Never underestimate a quiet saint!
The Reign of Christ
St. Andrew by-the-Lake
Toronto Islands
www.standrewbythelake.com
Priest- David Howells 416-890-4578
Church Office – 416-203-0873
Warden - Bella Beazer 416-203-4142
Warden – Jane Davidson-Neville 416-203- 8564
Deputy Warden & Synod Rep – Julia Weldon Tait
Deputy Warden - Nancy Kendrew
Outreach Chair – Graham Mudge 416-203-3556
Treasurer/Bookings – Joyce Rogers 416-203-0987
Musicians--
Roger Sharp, Julia Weldon Tait,
& Jane Davidson-Neville
Sung music selected by Jane Davidson-Neville
Instrumental music selected by Roger Sharp
THE GATHERING OF THE CHURCH
Today is the first Sunday of the Liturgical Year!
Advent Sunday begins the story again
looking forward in preparation from the birth of the Saviour
Today is also
St Andrew’s Day Sunday
Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your Holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A note about the service format.
When we are not together we cannot share the Eucharist/Communion.
I think we should use a service which allows that to be acknowledged.
I have edited this service as I did in the first Covid lockdown.
Please send me any comments you might have on this.
Take a moment of stillness. Light a candle and .... take a few moments before going on.
May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me today.
And with us all.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collect (the Collect “collects” together the themes of the readings and the season)
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility,
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Opening Hymn. #110 ‘Sleepers, Wake’ a Voice Astounds Us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aZ2VLx6OZc
"Sleepers, wake!" A voice astounds us, the shout of rampart-guards surrounds us: "Awake, Jerusalem, arise!" Midnight's peace their cry has broken, their urgent summons clearly spoken: "The time has come, O maidens wise! Rise up and give us light; the Bridegroom is in sight. Alleluia! Your lamps prepare and hasten there, that you the wedding feast may share."
Zion hears the watchmen singing; her heart with joyful hope is springing, she wakes and hurries through the night. Forth he comes, her Bridegroom glorious in strength of grace, in truth victorious: her star is risen, her light grows bright. Now come, most worthy Lord, God's Son, Incarnate Word, Alleluia! We follow all and heed your call to come into the banquet hall.
Lamb of God, the heavens adore you; let saints and angels sing before you, as harps and cymbals swell the sound. Twelve great pearls, the city's portals: through them we stream to join th' immortals as we with joy your throne surround. No eye has known the sight, no ear heard such delight: Alleluia! Therefore we sing to greet our King; for ever let our praises ring.
1st Reading from Isaiah 64:1-9
O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence--
as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil-- to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!
When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed.
We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.
Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
2nd Reading 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always for you
because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus,
for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind--
just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you--
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn ‘Come, O Lord, and Set Us Free’
Come, O Lord, and set us free. Give your people peace.
Come, O Lord, and set us free. Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, O Lord, and set us free. Bring your people peace.
(And take our guilt away. Give us your pardon.)
Music by John L. Bell
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
May the Lord be with me.
And with us all.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. (Mark 13:24-37)
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
"But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory.
Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds,
from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves,
you know that summer is near.
So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
"But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge,
each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.
Therefore, keep awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come,
in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn,
or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.
And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."
This is the Gospel of Christ
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflections on the readings for click here for video 2020,11,29
Advent Sunday
Advent comes from 2 words, “ad” meaning towards and “Venir” meaning to come.
Ad-vent means “to come towards”.
But, towards what?
“Put away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light” says the collect.
Mark talks about darkness: The sun and moon darkened, the stars put out.
The absence of light, the feeling that everything is collapsing. Only Jesus’ words will remain, whispered in the darkness, the link of hearing, remembering, when all else is gone.
“Stay awake!” Mark says. “Keep awake!”
How? Perhaps the small flashlight you had as a child, under the darkness of night, beneath the blankets, a small light, a secret light, in the darkness, and the smile on your face.
I have a memory of being a small child at a birthday party. We, excited children, were hushed and the lights went out. Suddenly and unexpected. I felt unsure, confused, perhaps unsafe. And then a door opened and in came the cake, candle laden, the only light we had. And it was.....beautiful!
Stay awake, keep aware, keep awake says Jesus in Mark’s story.
Staying awake and not being asleep are not quite the same thing.
I can go up to my study to prepare a sermon, and I can quite easily remain busy and focussed. But where my focus goes is another matter.
I may be half way through reading the gospel and a ping goes off to let me know an email has arrived. So I look at it and decide to reply. That leads me into a very different subject which, today, was an old friend I haven’t seen much of since we were at University together. Very engaged and excited I write back. Then I see who else has an unopened email for me....... Not asleep, but not awake to the sermon I am trying to stay with, to focus on.
I have drifted off, away from the presence of the Holy Spirit moving through the sacred readings that I am trying to pay attention to. My eyes were not closed but I was asleep to the God, whose words I was hoping to catch.
Close to day dreaming, sleep walking, dozing.
Mark shouts out to me.... “Stay awake! Keep your wits about you! Be aware! Stay Awake!”
At the introduction to the service there is a note about lighting a candle. I wonder how many people actually do that. Do you? Did you today?
The candle is both for illumination, and as a focus of your attention, a symbol of the nature of the divine as fire, warmth, light and danger; a consuming force.
Isaiah has an image I like. The potter at the wheel. Many of you will know that I am also a potter, and have, from time to time taught classes. Someone just beginning does not go straight to a wheel. First you take your bag of clay and cut off a workable amount. (Today as you pray think about how much can you pray for. I mean really pray for, in detail, with a feeling for it? World peace is too big for us to pray for. Find something that matters to you. Regarding world peace, mostly we can actually pray for our lack of peace with great Uncle Grizwald...)
Back to clay....And then you soften the clay up, you “wake up” the clay by kneeding it like dough. Then you go to the wheel and whack it down hard near the middle. It has to stick to the wheel. (You have to get your attention to stick to something real in prayer)
And then you start the wheel turning. Not too fast or it throws you off. The lump you threw down in the middle never actually is in the middle. There is some hard work pushing from the sides as the lumps and bumps come around and being stronger than them, forcing them in and upwards. It takes a few weeks to learning to centre!
Then you have to make an opening. You have to make an empty space where there was clay before. You have to burrow down with your fingers in the middle of the mound of clay and make a tunnel down. Then you have to push that outwards at the same time as your outside hand has to push back at the centre.
Slowly, magically, walls begin to rise off the wheel and a space is created in the middle. You have a simple pot!
Finally, with any piece of pottery, the emptiness of the clay vessel is what makes it useful.
Finally, with prayer before God, it is the emptiness you can keep in your soul that makes space for God to come in.
It takes a while to learn to drop into deep prayer. To shut out the noise outside and inside your head. To be quiet and a receptive is an art acquired with practice.
In prayer and in pottery you have to pay attention. You have to stay awake. You have to stay open.
Pottery is mastered by practice
To find yourself, and to find God, at any useful depth, you need practice.
In the service, towards the end, I have given you four versions of the Lord’s Prayer. Unfortunately Jesus didn’t speak English, but lived in a culture vastly different from our own. All we have is translations, none of which are perfect, but all of which incline us towards Jesus’s words.
I invite you this week to take an hour each day. Perhaps chose 4 days for this, and three days off!
Find a place to sit for 30 minutes. Set a bell on your watch or kitchen timer so you can not worry about time.
Look at these Lord’s prayers and decide to take one for that day. Then settle down comfortably, but with a straight back. Your phone should be off, your door closed, interruptions excluded.
Pray the prayer in a straight line into God’s heart. Then pause. Notice what is happening. If you notice your mind wandering, then like a distracted sheep, gently bring it back and focus. Start again. In a total of 30 minutes expect to start again many times. You’ll get better with practice.
Savour a line, rolling it around in your mind like a candy in your mouth. Let it be like looking at a jewel from different directions. Just see how much is said in each line. In 30 minutes you may only read three or four lines. That is still a well spent ½ hour!
Slowly you might move away from what you think the phrase says, to wondering what Jesus thinks the phrased says. “what Jesus thinks”, because Jesus is there with you, and slow repeated practice like this lets you begin to notice him. “What are you saying to me Jesus? Does this mean.....? I have been wondering what you are saying to me.”
Learning to pray, to be present before the One you cannot see or touch, is a practiced thing. Slowly, slowly it gets easier. It is you coming into the light. It is the clay of your soul beginning to centre itself, and you are learning how to become open in the middle, in the centre of yourself. And God is planting a tiny source of light there.
Advent. To come towards. You to God. God towards you. Making space.
In peace
David
Reflection Music ‘For unto Us a Child is Born’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS3vpAWW2Zc
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:5)
From Handel’s Messiah
THE PRAYERS WE SHARE TOGETHER
Let us pray for ourselves and each other, and for those that we do not know, but who you know, God.
We remember those we know who are sick in body mind or spirit, especially Brian, Bob, Rose, Frieda, Penny, Enid, Anne and Craig and family, Hugh, Donna, Ken...........
We pray for those who are close to death or who have passed through death, remembering Al, Joey, Mick, Paulette, Fred, Ron, Michael, .........
.....
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for All Saints, Collingwood, its community Coffee, Cookies, and Conversation gatherings, monthly Friendship Dinner, support of the local food bank, refugee sponsorship, and the work of its Green Team;
for All Saints, King City, its provision of meals for residents of Cross-links Housing, participation in local community outreach, refugee sponsorship, and support of the Pikangikum Water Project;
and for All Saints, Kingsway, its community garden and involvement in programs at All Saints, Sherbourne Street, Stonegate Ecumenical Ministry, Watoto Schools in Uganda, and Habitat for Humanity.
We pray for ourselves, that you, gentle Christ, would help us to be part of your kingdom, and have you Jesus, as our teacher, model and king. Give us grace to walk in your light, step beyond our safety a little, and live as you would have us in this beautiful and broken world.
Take some moments to remember the faces that you saw recently who are hungry, broken, lost and in need of help.
May God bless them, perhaps through you.
All of our longings and our fears, our hopes and our desires we bring to you. Hear our prayers, gracious God. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers of Reconciliation
Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; welcoming sinners and inviting them to this table. Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.
Silence is kept.
Most merciful God,
I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbours as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me, that I may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.
May you, the Almighty God, have mercy upon me, pardon and deliver me from all my sins, confirm and strengthen me in all goodness, and keep me in eternal life, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
The Peace
May the peace of the Lord be always with us.
Although we cannot meet together for the Eucharist, we can bless food and drink, and holding Christ in remembrance, give thanks that in a meal shared with others, or eaten alone, Christ sits at our table and invites us to be in his presence. This can be at any meal, or, as you read or say these words, you may have something small to eat and to drink, and share in remembrance of Jesus’s last supper.
A Prayer over a Sunday Meal
May the Lord be with me.
To you O God, I lift up my heart. I will lift it to you O Lord.
I will give thanks to you, Lord our God.
It is right to give my thanks and praise.
It is indeed right that we all should praise you, gracious God, for you created all things.
You formed us in your own image: just as we are, you created us.
When we turned away from you in sin, you did not cease to care for us,
but opened a path of salvation for all people.
You made a covenant with Israel, and through your servants Abraham and Sarah
gave the promise of a blessing to all nations.
Through Moses you led your people from bondage into freedom;
through the prophets you renewed your promise of salvation.
Therefore, with them, and with all your saints who have served you in every age,
we give thanks and raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.
Holy God, source of life and goodness, all creation rightly gives you praise.
In the fullness of time, you sent your Son Jesus Christ, to share our human nature,
to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He healed the sick and ate and drank with outcasts and sinners; he opened the eyes of the blind
and proclaimed the good news of your kingdom to the poor and to those in need.
In all things he fulfilled your gracious will.
On the night he freely gave himself to death, at a meal with his friends, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread,
and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said,
“Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said,
“Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Alone, or with others, I will ask your blessing on my food and drink.
As I need these to live, so I need your presence in my heart to live a Christ-like life here and now.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon our food, that all who eat at each table
may be of one body and one holy people, a living offering of love in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours,
Almighty Father, now and for ever.
Amen.
4 Translations of the Lord’s Prayer
( use a different one each day this week)
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil,
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
Now and for ever. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven
hallowed be they name.
They kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil,
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory
for ever and ever. Amen
Beloved, our Father and Mother,
in whom is heaven, hallowed be your name, followed be your royal way,
done be your will and rule,
throughout the whole creation.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another,
forgive us. In times of temptation and test, Strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen."
FROM 'HUMAN RITES' BY WARD AND WILD.
Eternal Spirit Earth-Maker,
Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all.
Loving God, in whom is heaven.
The hallowing of your name
echoes through the universe!
The way of your justice
be followed by the peoples of the earth!
Your heavenly will be done
by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.
NEW ZEALAND PRAYER BOOK
Closing Hymn #546 ‘God Moves in a Mysterious Way’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d04rK-OljW8
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill he treasures up his bright designs and works his sovereign will.
You fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds you so much dread are big with mercy and shall break
in blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace; behind a frowning providence he hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding ev'ry hour. The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flow'r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan his work in vain. God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain.
Text by William Cowper (1731 to 1800)
Ending Prayer
God of justice and peace,
from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness,
that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder
before your marvelous deeds.
Raise our heads in expectation,
that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord
and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
The Blessing
May God’s love surround us, God’s Spirit guide us,
God’s whisper challenge us, God’s peace calm us,
May God’s shield protect us, God’s wisdom arm us, wherever God may lead us.
We will depart in Peace and strive to live in God’s presence
in the name of the Lord. Amen! Alleluia!
NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK
Weekly/Monthly Donations
Sincere thanks to all of you who have contributed regularly to St. Andrew’s especially since March 8 when our world turned topsy-turvy. I appreciate that the donations come in a variety of ways at a variety of times. You have found a way that works for you and gets deposited in the church account. Thank you.
Here are several ways you can support your church:
PAR - Pre-Authorized Remittance. This is the best way we have found to help. It is secure and well recommended. For information contact Joyce Rogers at standrewbookings@gmail.com
You can continue to use these methods of support too..
E-Transfer - Use email: standrewbookings@gmail.com
Canada Helps – See the link in the announcement section or go to the website.
https://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=d65834
St Andrew’s Day
I was going to write you all a quick summary of who St Andrew was, so I went to Wikipedia to see what I had missed.
Well....lots! So much so that here is the link....
David
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_the_Apostle
Never underestimate a quiet saint!