Each Sunday we post online worship resources when Tier 4 restrictions only allow 20 people to attend church. We provide these to stay in touch and stay safe.
The links to the hymns can be accessed by clicking on “Click here” beside the hymn title. These take you to Youtube and we have no control over the adverts you see.
The prayers are taken from the Church of Scotland Weekly Worship.
Opening prayer (If there is more than one in your household one person reads through the prayer with the others joining in with the response “Emmanuel, God with us”)
Even if we cannot gather in person
Emmanuel, God with us
Even if some Christmas traditions have had to go
Emmanuel, God with us
Even if we might not get to hug family and friends
Emmanuel, God with us
Even if we cannot sing carols beside each other
Emmanuel, God with us
Even if Christmas cheer is harder this year
Emmanuel, God with us.
Amen
The First Hymn:
Longing for light, we wait in darkness Click here
Prayer of Reflective confession
Lord God, Your word is not distant,
Your love is not rationed,
Your grace is at hand,
for You are present with Your people as we call upon You.
We come to bless You as our Creator.
We come to honour You as our God.
You are our heavenly Father, revealed through Jesus Christ Your Son,
and we have come to delight in Your word and be transformed by Your love.
A prayer for the Second Sunday of Advent
God of faithfulness and truth,
You sent Your servant John the Baptist to preach in the desert
and summon people to repentance.
Make us and all things new,
that in the wilderness of our hearts we too may prepare a way
over which Your Son may walk.
Our land needs You,
because so many things are done wrongly, or not done at all.
Our land needs You, because it is suffering from the way we mistreat Your world and its
people.
Our land needs You, because without the knowledge of God there is poverty of spirit.
And we need You.
We inhabit this land,
we share in its faults,
we confess the sins and failures which have harmed others and harmed ourselves,
and grieved Your Spirit.
Have mercy on us, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Your salvation is at hand – may Your Spirit bear witness with our spirits,
that we belong to You,
and that we are heirs to eternal life, through Jesus Christ.
We bless You that this Jesus Christ is no mere formula of prayer,
that the Word became flesh and lived among us,
that Your Son lives as our friend in heaven,
that Your Spirit is given to Your people.
Give us discernment of mind, that we understand Your word.
Give us discernment of heart, that we become tender towards You and other people.
Give us discernment of life, that we take the right turnings and follow the right paths,
in company with our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who taught us to say,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever.
Amen
Bible Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 Click Here
Bible Reading: Mark 1:1-8 Click Here
The Reflection: Click Here
The Second Hymn: On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry Click here
Prayers of Intercession
Lord, we pray for the work of the Church of Scotland HIV Programme
and for all the project partners around the world.
For people caring faithfully for the wellbeing of others
and showing Your love in practical ways.
We ask for Your help and strength.
We remember today
all who are unable to access antiretroviral medication,
particularly at this time, when Covid-19 is affecting us all.
Strengthen us so we never to grow weary
of doing good in Your name,
of offering the hope to others.
Help us to raise our voices in solidarity
with those who have been silenced.
Help us to always seek justice
for those whose lives are so much harder than our own.
Thank You for being the Good Shepherd
who cares equally for us all
and help us to follow Your example.
Amen
Closing Hymn: Oh little town of Bethlehem Click here
Closing Blessing
May the coming of the day of God be your earnest desire:
and the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be upon you and those dear to you,
this day and every day that remains to us
Amen
Amen
Stay in touch and stay safe. This is why we provide the above.
Thank you for time in taking part by using these resources. If you have any messages you would like to share with us, please connect with us below.
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