One of the proudest moments of the Victoria Pride Parade was when a young pre-op transgender woman said that she never felt brave enough to walk in the parade until the day she marched with the staff and family of Our Place. It says a lot about the unique downtown centre for Victoria’s most vulnerable that this woman felt included in Our Place’s definition of family. It is one thing to preach hope and belonging, but quite another to live it. Loving our neighbours is at the core of Our as all who come through its doors become family. If Mission & Service giving is already a regular part of your life, thank you so much! If you have not given, please join me in making Mission & Service giving a regular part of your life of faith. Loving our neighbour is at the heart of our Mission & Service. [Companion video available. View or download at .] Advent Candle-Lighting Liturgy The following Advent liturgy focuses on the theme of Advent Unwrapped. Wrap four candles or ribbons in newsprint and put them in large boxes with removable lids so they look like Christmas presents. Label the boxes Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Each week, the congregation will be asked to draw or write on the outside of the box what these words mean to them. Then they unwrap the box, remove and light the candle. Advent 1, Hope One: In a world filled with doubt, fear, and uncertainty, All: we are called to reflect God’s hope, One: a hope that does not rely on things or possessions. All: Our hope is… (Invite people to share what Christian hope means to them, or have some prepared definitions. Write or draw the definitions on the box.) One: Grant us the courage to share this hope, All: as we prepare the way for the hope of the world, God-with-us, Emmanuel. (Unwrap the box, being careful not to tear the words of hope, and take out the Advent candle. Or unwrap other gifts of hope, such as pictures of hope in your community or individual candles for people to take home.) One: May this gift of a candle’s defiant flame remind us of God’s gift of hope! (Light first Advent candle.) All: Amen!
One of the proudest moments of the Victoria Pride Parade was when a young pre-op transgender woman said that she never felt brave enough to walk in the parade until the day she marched with the staff and family of Our Place. It says a lot about the unique downtown centre for Victoria’s most vulnerable that this woman felt included in Our Place’s definition of family. It is one thing to preach hope and belonging, but quite another to live it. Loving our neighbours is at the core of Our as all who come through its doors become family. If Mission & Service giving is already a regular part of your life, thank you so much! If you have not given, please join me in making Mission & Service giving a regular part of your life of faith. Loving our neighbour is at the heart of our Mission & Service. [Companion video available. View or download at .] Advent Candle-Lighting Liturgy The following Advent liturgy focuses on the theme of Advent Unwrapped. Wrap four candles or ribbons in newsprint and put them in large boxes with removable lids so they look like Christmas presents. Label the boxes Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Each week, the congregation will be asked to draw or write on the outside of the box what these words mean to them. Then they unwrap the box, remove and light the candle. Advent 1, Hope One: In a world filled with doubt, fear, and uncertainty, All: we are called to reflect God’s hope, One: a hope that does not rely on things or possessions. All: Our hope is… (Invite people to share what Christian hope means to them, or have some prepared definitions. Write or draw the definitions on the box.) One: Grant us the courage to share this hope, All: as we prepare the way for the hope of the world, God-with-us, Emmanuel. (Unwrap the box, being careful not to tear the words of hope, and take out the Advent candle. Or unwrap other gifts of hope, such as pictures of hope in your community or individual candles for people to take home.) One: May this gift of a candle’s defiant flame remind us of God’s gift of hope! (Light first Advent candle.) All: Amen!
d11084_m4m_2019.docx