Find the Youtube channel Here
Sources used for the Service:
Liturgies for the Journey of Life (Dorothy McRae-McMahon)
thebigandthesmall.com
NRSV Bible
Book of Alternative Services of the Anglican Church of Canada
Pre-lude Music/Song Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Welcome
It doesn’t matter whether or not you have faith; whether or not you are cynical or despairing, hope-filled or hope-less: what matters to God is simply that you are here.
In the church we are entering the time of Advent. Advent reminds us that if God is to be born again in the most ordinary parts of our world and our lives that we need prepare for it.
We need to make space in our lives where love might be born.
Welcome to this tiny corner of a harsh and dark world a corner where we find hope together. And together we practice getting ready to be receptive to the message of God, practice our faith with the hope that better days are coming. That amidst the uncertainty and fear Christ will come. We enter our Advent celebrations with HOPE
Gathering Song In the Bleak Midwinter
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there;
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But his mother only in her maiden bliss
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wiseman, I would do my part;
Yet what I can, I give him – give my heart.
NRSV Bible
Book of Alternative Services of the Anglican Church of Canada
Pre-lude Music/Song Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Welcome
It doesn’t matter whether or not you have faith; whether or not you are cynical or despairing, hope-filled or hope-less: what matters to God is simply that you are here.
In the church we are entering the time of Advent. Advent reminds us that if God is to be born again in the most ordinary parts of our world and our lives that we need prepare for it.
We need to make space in our lives where love might be born.
Welcome to this tiny corner of a harsh and dark world a corner where we find hope together. And together we practice getting ready to be receptive to the message of God, practice our faith with the hope that better days are coming. That amidst the uncertainty and fear Christ will come. We enter our Advent celebrations with HOPE
Gathering Song In the Bleak Midwinter
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there;
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But his mother only in her maiden bliss
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wiseman, I would do my part;
Yet what I can, I give him – give my heart.
Gathering
Among us the Spirit of God conceives new life,
and we feel that life within us.
In our history the Christ makes gentle entry,
and we see the light before us.
Within our dreams the truth of God is revealed;
We await the hope of the world.
Wreath Lighting
ADVENT 1 - HOPE (Based on Psalm 80) (from the bigandthesmall.com)
We light our first Advent candle, a symbol of Hope. Light first candle
Like a single candle lit in the darkness, hope can sometimes be a fragile, flickering thing…
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
In a world that sometimes feels like there is no hope, in a year that sometimes feels like all hope has been lost, stir up your might, O God, and come to save us!
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
God, we trust that you are with us, fanning our flicker of hope into a flame that can light up the whole world.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Let us never turn away from you, let us proclaim the truth to the ends of the earth, we have hope because God is with us!
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Candle lighting Song. Like a Candle
Like a candle burning wildly,
Raging soft against the night,
Spark that leaps to clear the shadows
Sending warm, disturbing night.
We are called to live the passion,
Hope stands strong against all pain.
For it’s only in the burning
That the candle shows its flame.
Like a river running freely,
Rapids swirl beside our feet,
Swiftly lowing from the highland
Comes to rest, still waters meet.
All our journeys rising, falling,
Making turns we least expect,
When the Spirit churns within us,
Know God’s power through the test.
Like an angel walking lightly
On this fragile earth of clay,
Touching folk with raw compassion,
Laughing, playing on the way.
Freely living every moment
In the mystery of grace.
Giving, dying, living, rising
See the beauty of God’s face.
See the hope that burns in darkness,
Show compassion, strong and kind,
Bind the hurt and broken hearted,
Be God’s hands and voice and eyes.
Sing a new song every sunrise,
Climb to places out of reach,
Walk in freedom of God’s Spirit,
As we die so we shall live.
We are called to live the passion,
Hope stands strong against all pain.
For it’s only in the burning
That the candle shows its flame.
Collect for the first Sunday of Advent
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. Amen
A Reading from the prophet 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 for ever. Now consider, we are all your people.
Listen for the leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Refrain: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
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 neighbours; our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God; 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 God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Among us the Spirit of God conceives new life,
and we feel that life within us.
In our history the Christ makes gentle entry,
and we see the light before us.
Within our dreams the truth of God is revealed;
We await the hope of the world.
Wreath Lighting
ADVENT 1 - HOPE (Based on Psalm 80) (from the bigandthesmall.com)
We light our first Advent candle, a symbol of Hope. Light first candle
Like a single candle lit in the darkness, hope can sometimes be a fragile, flickering thing…
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
In a world that sometimes feels like there is no hope, in a year that sometimes feels like all hope has been lost, stir up your might, O God, and come to save us!
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
God, we trust that you are with us, fanning our flicker of hope into a flame that can light up the whole world.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Let us never turn away from you, let us proclaim the truth to the ends of the earth, we have hope because God is with us!
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Candle lighting Song. Like a Candle
Like a candle burning wildly,
Raging soft against the night,
Spark that leaps to clear the shadows
Sending warm, disturbing night.
We are called to live the passion,
Hope stands strong against all pain.
For it’s only in the burning
That the candle shows its flame.
Like a river running freely,
Rapids swirl beside our feet,
Swiftly lowing from the highland
Comes to rest, still waters meet.
All our journeys rising, falling,
Making turns we least expect,
When the Spirit churns within us,
Know God’s power through the test.
Like an angel walking lightly
On this fragile earth of clay,
Touching folk with raw compassion,
Laughing, playing on the way.
Freely living every moment
In the mystery of grace.
Giving, dying, living, rising
See the beauty of God’s face.
See the hope that burns in darkness,
Show compassion, strong and kind,
Bind the hurt and broken hearted,
Be God’s hands and voice and eyes.
Sing a new song every sunrise,
Climb to places out of reach,
Walk in freedom of God’s Spirit,
As we die so we shall live.
We are called to live the passion,
Hope stands strong against all pain.
For it’s only in the burning
That the candle shows its flame.
Collect for the first Sunday of Advent
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. Amen
Proclaiming the Word
A Reading from the prophet 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 for ever. Now consider, we are all your people.
Listen for the leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Refrain: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
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 neighbours; our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God; 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 God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
A Reading from the first letter of Paul to the 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.
Listen for the leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn Drawing Nearer
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.
Listen for the leading of the Spirit R: Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn Drawing Nearer
Even in the midst of all of this,
Trouble on the news, no peace within,
Still there is a light in the distance
Drawing nearer, drawing nearer.
So, open up our eyes to see your light,
Open up our arms, they’re clenched so tightly,
Come in like a thief and steal our hearts
Like a baby, like a baby.
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. 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.’
The Gospel of Christ R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
The Homily
An Affirmation of Faith
We believe in God who lives and speaks in sunsets,
in love wrapped gifts, and fleeting butterflies;
in people weeping softly for stillborn dreams and hopes they never conceived.
We believe in God, indwelling wholly, in suffering and celebration.
We believe in Christ, harbouring our humanness,
who took nourishment from a woman’s breasts;
who climbed trees, skinned knees;
who laughed and cried, loved and wept, bled and died.
We believe in the Christ, sanctifying life and death.
We believe in the Spirit, mystically joining us to peoples everywhere;
who intercedes with sighs and groans too deep for words;
a shared consuming struggle bending our will to God.
We believe in the Holy Spirit incorporating us into Christ.
We believe in the church, being and becoming,
Chosen as God’s presence in the world despite its frailty,
Its foolishness, its failings.
We believe in the church, seeking, however imperfectly,
to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Amen
Prayers of Intercession
Let us join together in our prayers of intercession.
Our loving Parent, grant us the ability to be constantly aware that we are always in your presence.
You are the Ground of our Being
We thank you for your presence in the world that in our pain and anguish, dance and song, you are there.
You are the Ground of our Being. Everything that is.
We remember those for whom life seems unbearable; for those whose spirit weighs them down near death. May they find in you a hope that will sustain them.
You are the Ground of our Being. Everything that is-is because of you.
We thank you for the gift which enables us to see and hear to think and feel – the suffering, the poverty and oppression of our brothers and our sisters everywhere. May your Spirit ever move us to bring their lives before you in love, in action, and in prayer
You are the Ground of our Being. Everything that is-is because of you. May we ever be the expression of your presence in the world.
And now, let those who will, life up their prayers for the church and the world (People offer their prayers)
O God, we have come before you bringing our hopes and our fears. We have come because you have called us that we might experience afresh your grace and peace. Amen
Let us bring our offering before God – the offering of our hope, talents and gifts
Offering Hymn Northern Advent
November feels so final – the trees so bleak and stark,
The land so cold and silent, our hearts November dark.
Like land that waits for sunrise, shivering till the dawn,
Keeping watch this Northern Advent, we sing out life’s true song.
Chorus
We are not the morning, we are not the dawn.
We are just the land that waits the first light of the sun.
Winter holds us in her pocket, snow covers life in drifts,
The frost shapes patterns on the glass showing every human rift.
The poor, the frail, the lonely wait in winter’s deep despair,
Keeping watch this Northern Advent for the birthcry of your care.
Chorus
We are not the morning, we are not the dawn.
We are just the land that waits the first light of the sun.
In our November ending, winter fears of grief and loss,
Keep all that’s human, holy, through your Advent, Birth and Cross.
Sun’s low on the horizon, our nights outlast our days,
Keeping watch this Northern Advent, we await your coming Grace.
Chorus
We are not the morning, we are not the dawn.
We are just the land that waits the first light of the sun.
Dedication of our Gifts
As Mary offered herself in her humanness, we offer our gifts to you, O God. We brin them in faith. We bring them in gratitude for all that we have received. Amen
Prayer of Hospitality for the Sending of Mary, Joseph and their Donkey
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn People Look East
People look east! The time is near of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.
People look east and sing today: Love, the guest, is on the way.
Furrows, be glad! Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.
People look east and sing today: Love, the rose, is on the way.
Birds, though you long have ceased to build, guard the nest that must be filled;
Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen.
People look east and sing today: Love, the bird, is on the way.
Stars, keep the watch: when night is dim one more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together.
People look east and sing today: Love, the star, is on the way.
Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.
People look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.
Blessing and Dismissal
Rejoice in Bethlehem, two thousand years ago.
Rejoice in the life that was conceived, lived and given for us.
Go in peace to love and serve the world. And may your waiting be in hope,
Each day lived in faith and the love in Christmas be moving toward you. Amen
Postlude The Trumpet Child
The Trumpet Child will blow His horn, will blast the sky til it’s reborn.
With Gabriel’s power and Satchmo’s grace, He will surprise the human race.
The trumpet He will use to blow is being fashion out of fire:
The mouthpiece is a glowing coal, the bell a burst of wild desire.
The Trumpet Child will riff on love Thelonious notes from up above,
He’ll improvise a kingdom come, accompanied by a different drum.
The Trumpet Child will banquet here until the lost are truly found;
A thousand days, a thousand years- nobody knows for sure how long.
The rich forget about their gold; the meek and mild are strangely bold;
A lion lies beside a lamb, and licks a murderer’s outstretched hand.
The Trumpet Child will lift a glass, His bride now leaning in at last;
His final aim, to fill with joy the earth that Man all but destroyed.
Trouble on the news, no peace within,
Still there is a light in the distance
Drawing nearer, drawing nearer.
So, open up our eyes to see your light,
Open up our arms, they’re clenched so tightly,
Come in like a thief and steal our hearts
Like a baby, like a baby.
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. 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.’
The Gospel of Christ R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
The Homily
An Affirmation of Faith
We believe in God who lives and speaks in sunsets,
in love wrapped gifts, and fleeting butterflies;
in people weeping softly for stillborn dreams and hopes they never conceived.
We believe in God, indwelling wholly, in suffering and celebration.
We believe in Christ, harbouring our humanness,
who took nourishment from a woman’s breasts;
who climbed trees, skinned knees;
who laughed and cried, loved and wept, bled and died.
We believe in the Christ, sanctifying life and death.
We believe in the Spirit, mystically joining us to peoples everywhere;
who intercedes with sighs and groans too deep for words;
a shared consuming struggle bending our will to God.
We believe in the Holy Spirit incorporating us into Christ.
We believe in the church, being and becoming,
Chosen as God’s presence in the world despite its frailty,
Its foolishness, its failings.
We believe in the church, seeking, however imperfectly,
to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Amen
Prayers of Intercession
Let us join together in our prayers of intercession.
Our loving Parent, grant us the ability to be constantly aware that we are always in your presence.
You are the Ground of our Being
We thank you for your presence in the world that in our pain and anguish, dance and song, you are there.
You are the Ground of our Being. Everything that is.
We remember those for whom life seems unbearable; for those whose spirit weighs them down near death. May they find in you a hope that will sustain them.
You are the Ground of our Being. Everything that is-is because of you.
We thank you for the gift which enables us to see and hear to think and feel – the suffering, the poverty and oppression of our brothers and our sisters everywhere. May your Spirit ever move us to bring their lives before you in love, in action, and in prayer
You are the Ground of our Being. Everything that is-is because of you. May we ever be the expression of your presence in the world.
And now, let those who will, life up their prayers for the church and the world (People offer their prayers)
O God, we have come before you bringing our hopes and our fears. We have come because you have called us that we might experience afresh your grace and peace. Amen
Let us bring our offering before God – the offering of our hope, talents and gifts
Offering Hymn Northern Advent
November feels so final – the trees so bleak and stark,
The land so cold and silent, our hearts November dark.
Like land that waits for sunrise, shivering till the dawn,
Keeping watch this Northern Advent, we sing out life’s true song.
Chorus
We are not the morning, we are not the dawn.
We are just the land that waits the first light of the sun.
Winter holds us in her pocket, snow covers life in drifts,
The frost shapes patterns on the glass showing every human rift.
The poor, the frail, the lonely wait in winter’s deep despair,
Keeping watch this Northern Advent for the birthcry of your care.
Chorus
We are not the morning, we are not the dawn.
We are just the land that waits the first light of the sun.
In our November ending, winter fears of grief and loss,
Keep all that’s human, holy, through your Advent, Birth and Cross.
Sun’s low on the horizon, our nights outlast our days,
Keeping watch this Northern Advent, we await your coming Grace.
Chorus
We are not the morning, we are not the dawn.
We are just the land that waits the first light of the sun.
Dedication of our Gifts
As Mary offered herself in her humanness, we offer our gifts to you, O God. We brin them in faith. We bring them in gratitude for all that we have received. Amen
Prayer of Hospitality for the Sending of Mary, Joseph and their Donkey
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn People Look East
People look east! The time is near of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.
People look east and sing today: Love, the guest, is on the way.
Furrows, be glad! Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.
People look east and sing today: Love, the rose, is on the way.
Birds, though you long have ceased to build, guard the nest that must be filled;
Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen.
People look east and sing today: Love, the bird, is on the way.
Stars, keep the watch: when night is dim one more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together.
People look east and sing today: Love, the star, is on the way.
Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.
People look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.
Blessing and Dismissal
Rejoice in Bethlehem, two thousand years ago.
Rejoice in the life that was conceived, lived and given for us.
Go in peace to love and serve the world. And may your waiting be in hope,
Each day lived in faith and the love in Christmas be moving toward you. Amen
Postlude The Trumpet Child
The Trumpet Child will blow His horn, will blast the sky til it’s reborn.
With Gabriel’s power and Satchmo’s grace, He will surprise the human race.
The trumpet He will use to blow is being fashion out of fire:
The mouthpiece is a glowing coal, the bell a burst of wild desire.
The Trumpet Child will riff on love Thelonious notes from up above,
He’ll improvise a kingdom come, accompanied by a different drum.
The Trumpet Child will banquet here until the lost are truly found;
A thousand days, a thousand years- nobody knows for sure how long.
The rich forget about their gold; the meek and mild are strangely bold;
A lion lies beside a lamb, and licks a murderer’s outstretched hand.
The Trumpet Child will lift a glass, His bride now leaning in at last;
His final aim, to fill with joy the earth that Man all but destroyed.
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