Worship from Home | St. John's Church

Worship at Home Service for Deliverance from the Coronavirus

The First Sunday of Advent

December 1, 2024

Welcome

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst of them"

MATTHEW 18: 31-46

We continue to be in extraordinary times, but St. John’s is committed to acting with care for each other. Our online worship provides music and prayers which are up-dated weekly. We hope our online worship inspires you and helps you to feel united in spirit as we seek God.

Opening Sentence

Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

Luke 21: 21,28

Gathering the Community

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Opening Hymn

'Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus'

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 life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and for ever. Amen.

Hymn

'Lord of All Hopefulness'

The Word of God

Luke 21: 25-36

Homily

Silence for Reflections

Prayers of the People

Advent is the beginning of a new church year, a season of preparation. As we begin this new season and prepare our hearts and minds for the birth of Christ, let us pray to our Saviour and Redeemer, saying, “God of hope, hear our prayer.”

We pray for peace in the world, especially in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and Lebanon. We also pray for peace in our communities. Where there is sorrow, we pray for your grace to light the darkness. Where there is despair, we pray for your hope to light the darkness; where there is hatred, we pray for your forgiveness to light the darkness.

R- God of hope, hear our prayer.

We pray for the church, the sign of God’s reign, that it may be a faithful witness during these challenging times.

We pray for our Bishops, Susan and Colin, for Fr. Audrius and for all clergy leaders working in these difficult times.

We pray for this community of St. John’s. May we be brave and strong in faith as we seek to meet the needs in our community.

R- God of hope, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are facing challenges- we pray for the sick and the vulnerable, for the healing; the hungry and the homeless. We pray for all who are mourning the loss of loved ones. We pray for our friends and for our families, especially remembering, Juanita and her family, the Anishinaabe community of Manitoulin Island, Mary and her family, Audra, Ruth, Enid, George & Pat, Bill, Jan, Eleanor & family, Wilson Watkins, Janet, Mattagan and Carol.

R- God of hope, hear our prayer

Closing Prayer: God of hope, be with us as we prepare our hearts for the birth of your Son. May we seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. May we remember the reason for this season and seek your light as we say, “Come, Lord Jesus, Come”. Amen.

Diocese of Niagara Prayer (Corona Virus)

Loving God, whose peace passes all our understanding; as we face this present pandemic, and experience fear and anxiety, may we hear your voice, bringing calm to the storms of our time.

Strengthen those who work to limit the spread of infection, and those who seek to care for the sick, and keep us mindful of those most vulnerable.

May we shape our living to protect one another, and may our changing habits, practices and sacrifices, be for the greater love of our community and all your people. Amen

Doxology

Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church, and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen

Blessing

May Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we redeemed: guide us and strengthen us by his Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you.

Go in peace as a sign of hope for all people by showing forth the living presence of God in this world and may the blessing of God almighty the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

ST. JOHN'S

ST. JOHN'S ANGLICAN CHURCH

OUR MINISTRY TEAM

OUR ADDRESS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT