Tips for Advent...

Some ideas to enrich your Advent, from a Roman Catholic Youth Pastor...

And this reminder...to add to the richness of the season...

Join us for an Advent Quiet Day

Saturday, December 10, 2016

10:00 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

at St. Cyprian's, Lacombe.

Bring a bag lunch, perhaps a journal and your Bible.

Come apart...so you won't come apart...

Advent I - A Day of Hope

For your reflection, the Prayer following the lighting of the 

Candle of Hope for Advent I:

So many in your world, Holy God, have lost hope 

or put their hope in false promises.

Sometimes it feels like you aren't with us,

but are far, far away.

We pray that you come into our world again.

Be Emmanuel for us

so we may notice where you are already present.

Enter our hearts

so we may learn to see in new ways

the creative power of hope.

Help us live into your hope

so that we may be your light 

shining in the dark places of our world.

We pray this in the name 

of the one

who was born in Bethlehem

and whose return we await.

AMEN

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.

Wait for the Lord; 

Be strong, 

Take heart.

Audio Divina for Remembrance Day

Today, two offerings:

First, the late Leonard Cohen, reading the celebrated poem for this day, written by John McCrae:

so that we may never forget...

And second...a musical version of the prayer we prayed together in church last Sunday...

because St. Francis' words are for all people

at all times

and in all places.

Audio Divina: Lean In Toward the Light

As the days grow shorter and the hours of darkness grow longer, 

and as our friends and neighbours in the U.S. draw nearer 

to their most significant Federal election in decades, 

Let us remember that while their civic duty is to vote, our Christian duty is to pray.  From the Anglican Church of Canada -- a prayer for their Election Day:

We pray for all the candidates, recognizing the challenges they have accepted by putting their names forward for public service; that by doing so they have been heavily scrutinized and criticised for every questionable decision or out-of-context comment; that they have opened their personal and private lives to the public both in this campaign and into the future; that some have endured attack ads and mud-slinging campaign tactics, and that some have engaged in the same. We pray for the candidates who will win this election for the first time, for those who will win re-elected seats, and for those who will not be elected: may they remain faithful to a life of humble service.

We pray for those who work the elections: who endure long hours on election day; who are expected to be polite and helpful with everyone they encounter, even those who are unfriendly and unhelpful to them; who spend extra time with those needing extra assistance with language, mobility, or first-time voters. May the elections staff be kind-hearted and patient, and may they find their service to the process to be fulfilling and positive.

We pray for the American voters: for those who have voted in advance polls; for those who have been keen to vote; for those who have been apathetic during this long campaign; for those whose interest in political affairs will wane once the election is over. We pray for those who will journey long distances and wait in long lines; for those who are unable to cast their ballot; for those who have experienced strife or discord within families and friends due to difference in political agendas.

Gracious Lord, may our neighbours in the U.S. discern your truth, choosing leaders who will seek to govern in peace and justice.  May they recognise that their political differences do not stop them being brothers and sisters in your family.

May all of us -- here in Canada, in the U.S. and beyond -- see your presence this Election Day, and every day.  AMEN.

In the words of Carrie Newcomer, Quaker singer-songwriter, may our friends choose to Lean in Toward the Light:

Don't Forget, Tonight...

At bed-time tonight (November 5, 2016)...
Please remember to set your clocks back one hour.

for tomorrow -- Sunday, November 6, 2016

 at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time...

BAS Morning Prayer

followed by fellowship in the church hall.

AMEN.