Abbey United Reformed Church, Romsey

Notices

We stand as the Bible, the prayer book and the Offertory are brought forward

Call to worship

Opening prayer, we pray together:
Advent God, you prepared your people for your coming, you gave your Word to us through prophets and priests, through stories told and retold, through the history of time, through the written word, through the spoken word, but always your word.

Advent God, we adore you, and we bring ourselves before you just as we are. 

Hymn: Great is Thy faithfulness

Prayers and Offertory Prayer including:
We come to you this Advent, Living God, with gratitude in our hearts for those who have led us to faith, for those who have prepared the way for us to hear your voice calling us and to receive your love surrounding us. May we too prepare the way for others, that all may feel a sense of belonging in your Church and in your world.

We pray the Lord’s Prayer together

Lighting of two Advent candles

We pray together:
As we light these Advent candles, may the flames be symbols of hope, their warmth be symbols of God’s love for each one of us and may they inspire us to speak out words that challenge, inspire and draw others to your kingdom. We pray in the name of Jesus, who is the Light of the World.

We welcome Mr Colin McPherson who has come to collect toys donated by Braishfield and Abbey URC’s for their annual Toy Appeal.

We share the Grace

Hymn: On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry (sung to tune Winchester new (R&S 209)

Gospel reading: Luke 3:1-6 (read by Chris Gunston)

Music item from Kirsty

Reflection summary - Advent-ure!
Anyone who has or has ever had a dog knows that, for the dog, going on a walk is a source of great excitement! It is a great adventure, even though the walk is along the same streets and park every day!  But there are always different things to sniff; endless possibilities re chasing squirrels up trees, meeting doggy friends – and human friends to give them a fuss!  Then home again for a snooze, to dream dreams, and to gather energy for the next adventure later that day!

What is our idea of adventure - when you hear the word “adventure” what do you think of? Indiana Jones, the Famous 5, Tintin, and Jules Verne perhaps! Columbus sailing on the high seas in search of new worlds! Neil Armstrong stepping out onto the moon! Captain Kirk and the Star-ship Enterprise “bravely going where no man has gone before!”  Yes, say “adventure” — and we think of gripping stories that often keep us on the edges of our seats!

So how about we approach Advent in the same spirit of adventure – a time full of anticipation, of forging ahead towards the culmination of the story and journey?  For Advent is a journey that heads towards a destination, towards an arrival – the birth of Jesus afresh in the life of the church, in the midst of the people of God.

Communion Hymn: I come with joy to meet my Lord (second tune, St Botolph)

Holy Communion: (bread and wine will be served)

Hymn: O Lord all the world belongs to you

Intercessions including:
Loving God, we pray for those who speak out with the voice of compassion, for the marginalised, the abused and the exploited. We pray for those who speak out with the voice of courage, against corruption, greed, and injustice. We pray for those who speak out with the voice of concern, for the environment, the forests, the seas. We pray for those who speak out with the voice of challenge, against complacency, apathy, self-righteousness. We pray for all those who speak out with your voice, in our world, our communities, our churches.

Including silent prayer for the world, the church and for those known to us we are concerned about and with whom we celebrate.

Hymn: Love divine, all loves excelling (first tune, Hyfrydol)

Closing Prayer: We pray together:
May the road we travel be smooth and straight, every ditch filled in, every bump and rut smoothed out, any diversion easy to navigate and may good companions share our journey.

The Blessing