This year our Advent reflections will be offered online only, on Wednesday evenings at 9:30pm ( in the normal Night Prayer slot). Do find them on Facebook live or on catch up – you don’t need an account to view them.
There are still a few copies of the Advent booklets at the back of church. They have bible readings and reflection for each day of Advent. Please feel free to take one. It can also be accessed through the Blackburn Diocese website.
United Benefice of Altham and Clayton-le-Moors
Second week of Advent
This service is live in church, but it will be streamed so if you are unable to attend you can view it online. Now most of the words will also appear when you view the service on line so it will be easier to follow the service.
However, below are the day’s readings as there will not appear on screen.
First Reading: Isaiah 11: 1-10
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’snest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.
Second Reading: Matthew 3: 1-12
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”[a]
4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize you with[b] water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spiritand fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Intercessions
In this season of Advent, children will eagerly await each day to open a new window on their Advent Calendar. It may contain a chocolate or a surprise, whatever it is; it will bring delight and excitement to them. Help us all to greet each new day with anticipation for the good things that each day will bring. Greetings from friends, a smile from a stranger, good news and thoughts that inspire and invigorate us.
Lord of our Advent journey, hear our prayer
Advent is a time of waiting. Waiting for the Christ child. Help us to hear afresh the challenge to make our lives ready for your coming. May we be filled with an expectancy, which causes us to make ourselves ready this Christmas for you to make your home with us?
Heavenly Father, we dedicate to you all the Advent activities organised by our church and we pray for all who will attend. Let it be that through prayer, praise and music we make our own preparations for a Holy Christmas.
Lord of our Advent journey, hear our prayer
Advent is a time of giving. Giving presents, giving money, giving time, for the giving of ourselves in the service of others. Giving to Church and to good causes. We pray for all who work for charities, and for those who try to influence political opinion because they support a cause worth fighting for.
We pray for hope in our troubled world and for an end to the war in Ukraine, an end to terrorism, a resolution to the migrant crisis and a positive outcome to Climate Change. We remember the global disasters of this last year and all the on-going relief work around the world.
Lord of our Advent journey, hear our prayer
Lord keep us mindful that your church exists in a changing world. We have all been called to change our lives and make ourselves ready for the coming of your son. We pray for all those who teach and preach, and for those who minister to congregations to bring your Gospel to life in human hearts. We especially pray for Toby, Victor, Claire, and Sarah, may they be unwavering and fearless in proclaiming the truth. Give them spiritual peace, which comes from serving you.
Father God, although we are sometimes separated by language and culture from the people we live amongst, our hope for our community is to see your will done here on earth as it is in heaven. We pray for our neighbours, not only with words, but day by day and that through our actions we might demonstrate our Christian faith.
Lord of our Advent journey, hear our prayer
Heavenly Father may your blessing be upon all those who are sick or in pain, those who are anxious or troubled and in a moment of silence, we bring to you those we know who are unwell.
We pray for healing, wholeness and hope in their lives and we pray for ourselves.
Today we especially remember . . . (sick)
Lord of our Advent journey, hear our prayer
We remember those who have died and pray for those who are bereaved. Give rest, dear Lord, to the souls of those who have gone from our lives. May they know no more pain or sorrow.
We pray for the families and friends of …(departed)
Lord of our Advent journey, hear our prayer
Almighty God, you sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah.
Strengthen us especially at this busy time that we might make time for preparation. In the midst of the rush of life, help us to find inner quietness and an awareness of your presence as we prepare our hearts for your Advent.
Give us time for reflection, space for prayer and a need for you in our lives.
Merciful father accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Tot’s Praise
Wednesday 7th December from 2:15pm
Tot’s Praise is for the youngest – under 5s together with their parents/carers – gather between 2 and 2:15, all done in time for school pick up.
Theme: Good News
If you have any names you would like adding to the book of remembrance, please give details to Linda Vine , Church Warden.
Senior citizens are invited to a tea
at All Saints’ School on
Thursday 15th December at 2:00pm.
If you would like to come along, please sign the list at the back of church, or let one of the Wardens know.
Thank you
The tree on Barnes Square will be lit up and the crib blessed on Tuesday 29th December –
6:00pm start. 6:30pm switch on
The tree light switch on at the Worker’s Memorial Dicky Bridge Altham will take place on Thursday 8th December at 6:15pm
Then on Friday 9th December at 6:00pm we will celebrate Christingle in church.
The next PCC meeting is on Tuesday 29th November
PCC meeting is in church at 7:30pm. There will be no communion service at 7:00pm.
If any of the congregation want anything raised at the PCC meeting please let one of the PCC know, and they will raise it on their behalf.
Thank you
In a world torn by conflicts,
send us out as makers of peace.
In a world of destruction,
Send us out as menders and builders.
In a world of hurt,
send us out as healers.
where worlds are ending,
send us out with faith in new beginnings.
Amen.
From Roots on the web
Thursday 1st December
The Hyndburn Bridge
A list will be at the back of church for names and further details will follow.