Welcome to a Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg
A thought from CS Lewis:
“Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.”
Advent Prayer —Henri J.M. Nouwen
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, ‘Come Lord Jesus!’ Amen.
Father in this season of Advent we prepare our hearts for your coming.
You are the vine, we are the branches.
Come and tend us, prune us, clean us.
Discard in us everything that does not bear fruit,
Nourish in us everything that bears much fruit.
As we celebrate your coming as a vulnerable baby
Our hearts await your glorious return as the eternal King.
Nurture in us expectant hearts, O Lord.
Cultivate in us a deep longing for more of you.
Until that Day when you burst through the heavens,
And flood our horizons with your glorious splendour.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory,
throughout all ages and generations.
Amen.
Scripture Reading: Genesis 49:10 (NIV)
The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,[a]
until he to whom it belongs[b] shall come
and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
Wade Burleson: Until Shiloh Comes from Emmanuel Enid on Vimeo.
Benediction: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 NIV
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else,
just as ours does for you.
May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy
in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Amen
THREAD-ator
1