Sunday 5th December 2021
(2nd Sunday of Advent)
The videos for ‘standard’ parts of the service were recorded at earlier services. Each week the Bible readings, sermon and prayers are recorded for you to use.
Before you begin, take a moment to pray. Ask your heavenly Father to show you the grace of Jesus, and to fill you afresh with his Holy Spirit. Think of a few other members of the church (if you are from St George’s) and pray also for them.
Start of Service
We have a new liturgy for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.
CALL TO WORSHIP
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
This is the day that the LORD has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. [Psalm 118:24]
Jesus is the light of the world.
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given.
And he is called:
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
O Church, arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Come, children of God,
let us walk in the light of the Lord. [Isaiah 9:2,6; 60:1-3; 2:5]
Please sit.
CONFESSION
Follow God’s example as dearly loved children and live a life of love,
just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us
as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,
righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. [ Ephesians 5:1-2, 8-10]
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you
and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us,
forgive us all that is past
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name.
Amen.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. [1 Timothy 1:15]
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
If we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. [1 John 1:5,7]
May the God of all healing and forgiveness draw you to himself,
and cleanse you from all your sins
that you may behold the glory of his Son,
the Word made flesh,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This video isn’t really a song to sing along to (though you can) - it shows the wonderful Colin Buchanan using imagery of Christmas to teach about Jesus our King.
bible readings and sermon
Today is the first Sunday of the month. On these weeks we explore the way that creation is full of signposts to Jesus. Rocks, trees, mountains, springs, stars…. these were made by God as symbols of Jesus and his Kingdom. Today our theme is TREES. The Bible readings are included with the talk.
After the sermon, take time to respond to God’s Word to you. Whenever we hear from God a good practice is to think of TSP (“teaspoon”):
T for Thank You - what do you need to praise God for?
S for Sorry - what do you need to confess?
P for Please - what do you need to ask of God, for yourself and others?
creed and prayers
The prayers were led by our Vicar, drawing on the imagery of trees in the Bible. You can download some PRAYER CARDS FROM THIS LINK. Print them double-sided and cut them out for use at home.
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.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and forever.
Amen.
commissioning and blessing
Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.
So put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.
Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,
and do not think about how to gratify your selfish desires. [Romans 13:12,14]
O Lord our God,
make us watchful and keep us faithful
as we await the coming of your Son our Lord;
that, when he shall appear,
he may not find us sleeping in sin
but active in his service
and joyful in his praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Wait eagerly for our Lord Jesus to be revealed.
God will keep you firm to the end,
so that you will be blameless on the day of Christ.
God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship
with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [1 Corinthians 1:7-9]
Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth, peace,
to those on whom his favour rests.
The Lord bless you and keep you,
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace,
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen!
If you are not a regular member of St George’s but want to connect with us, please please contact us via this page. We have Evening Prayer using Zoom every day (except Saturdays) at 5pm and you are welcome to join us. Contact us for details. Our Prayer page gives you Bible readings and reflections for each day and many of us are finding these such an encouragement.
Find out more about hope during the coronavirus pandemic.