30/11/14
Advent 1: Time for Vision Readings: Habbakuk 1:1-4, 2:2-4, 3:17-19 Matthew 26:36-38 Symbol: Eye We are reminded to see the bigger picture and look beyond ourselves. 7/12/14
Advent 2: Time for Action Readings: Esther 4:1-17 Matthew 5:13-16 Symbol: Hand We are reminded of the need to take action. |
Take Home Ideas
Even in Biblical times, God saw a need to make His message known in an accessible way. Take time to reflect upon these questions: • Do you think that your church succeeds in conveying God’s message to all the people of your congregation? • If not… • Where could you improve? • What would you need to make these changes possible? Look around your community be it by walking around, talking to people around the community or even looking at community Facebook pages. • What issues are present? • Did you hear of or see issues that your church could help play a part to address? • Take time to pray for these areas and situations? At the same time, perhaps you could pray about ways you and others bring light to dark places… Take Home Ideas:
Today’s passage from the book of Esther shows us the tradition of prayer and fasting—something that many people still do today. For many, the concept of fasting is a way of humbling oneself. Fasting does not necessarily need to be food-based. Why not take a week off Facebook and catch up with people face-to-face or on the telephone? Perhaps you could even handwrite a letter to somebody… Perhaps you could take this week to leave the car behind and walk? Another issue raised in today’s passage is the need to make your place count; to act now with hope for the future. What have you kept silent about? What situations in your community could you make a difference in? This week may be the time for you to stand up and be heard. |
14/12/14
Advent 3: Time for All Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9 Matthew 12:15-21 Symbol: Represents a group of people We read about the light for the nations 21/12/14
Advent 4: Time for Dreaming Readings: Matthew 1:18-25 Psalm 23:1-4 Joseph’s time for dreaming both looks forward to Messiah and looks back to the story of God’s people in years past: of Joseph, Moses and David. What about our times of dreaming as we approach Christmas? Time for Celebration
Christmas Eve: Luke 2: 1-20 Matthew 2:1-11 John 1:1-14 Christmas Day: Luke 2:1-20 28/12/14: A reflective service Readings: Luke 2:19 Matthew 1:18-25 Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-13 1 John 1:1-3 1 Peter 1:10-12 4/1/14
Time for Seeking & Time for Get Up & Go Readings: Matthew 2:1-23 Psalm 96 |
Take Home Ideas: Our Scripture readings over the past three weeks have seen the need for Christ, the light of the world to shine in dark areas in individual’s lives in Habbakuk, and at the level of communities as seen in the book of Esther. Today we see the need for a light for all the nations. Have a look at a world map or a globe and choose a country that you know to be in a difficult place at this time be it through conflict, disaster, famine, disease or otherwise and spend this week praying for the people of that nation. At the end of the week take time to pray for our world. Perhaps, you could light a candle in a dark room of your home for an hour each evening as a symbol of our prayer for Christ’s light to shine across our world. Take Home Ideas This week can be a very difficult week for many people as they prepare to face their first or another Christmas alone. It can be a very difficult week for some as they struggle to get by financially after buying presents, cards and food. Please take time this week to pray for all who find themselves in these dark places as we prepare to welcome the light of the World into the World this Thursday. If you can spare the money and/or items, perhaps you could make up a bag to donate to a local foodbank to bring light to somebody’s life this Christmas? Pray for those who will be working over the Christmas holidays in hospitals, foodbanks, soup kitchens, city missions and call centres. If you know someone who will be serving others at this time, why not take the time to thank them and tell them how much you appreciate what they are doing? Take Home Idea: This week take a moment every day to see Christ in the midst of our world, concentrating on one area each day. Take the challenge of seeing Christ in the everyday events and create your own journal of his life in your life. In my family life: In my neighbourhood/community: In the news: In the wider world: In my children/grandchildren’s activities: In a charity’s activities: In my church: |