Kingdomtide

Kingdom season is in the few weeks before Advent, presently this means during November. The theme of the Kingdom season is Christ’s light being brought to the darkness of the world and life into death. It is a time to remember and take encouragement from the dead in Christ, the saints in light.

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not overcome it.
The true light enlightens everyone,
and has come into the world.
Lights /candles may be lit

My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
and in your word have I put my hope.
Psalms and reading[s]
The word that goes out from God’s mouth shall not return empty,
it shall accomplish God’s purpose,
and succeed in what it is sent to do.
Reflection individually or together. A framework for reflection> using the pattern of the Lord’s prayer is available to help if desired.

Canticle of the day may be used or a hymn.
Great and wonderful are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, O ruler of the nations.
Who shall not revere and praise your name, O Lord?
For you alone are holy.
All nations shall come and worship in your presence:
for your just dealings have been revealed.
To the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honour and glory and might,
for ever and ever. Amen.
[Revelation 15.3,4 ]

O Lord, open our lips
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessèd are you, Heaven’s High King and judge of all,
we give you praise and honour for with you is the well of life,
In your light we see light.
Praise and thanksgiving, silent or aloud.
God in heaven; father and mother to us,
Hallowed be your name

Your will is for the Light of Christ to illumine everyone.
May your light shine on all for whom we pray and chase the shadows from the situations we are concerned about.
We bring our concerns for people or events to God, silently or aloud.
In that day, mourning and crying and pain will be no more and God will wipe away every tear.
Your kingdom Come.

In that day, of the increase of Christ’s government and of peace there shall be no end.
Your kingdom Come.

In that day, your Spirit will fill all things and all shall know you.
Your kingdom Come.

In that day, death will be no more;
Your kingdom Come.

As we seek to walk in Light, you promise to supply our need
…sharing of needs, silently or aloud …
Seeking first your righteousness
All things shall be added.

Jesus proclaimed ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand, change your outlook and commit yourselves to the Good News’
We pause to recognise what of our life needs to change in the light of God’s Reign
When the shadows we have cast have hidden the light for others,
Father forgive.
We reflect on what we may need to forgive
We forgive the shadows others have cast on our lives.
Father forgive.
This we call to mind and therefore we have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
God’s mercies never come to an end:
They are new every morning,
Great is your faithfulness, O Lord:
great is your faithfulness.
[Lamentations 3:19 ff]

We reflect on the coming day: it’s potential challenges to our living out the Good News and recognising it may bring things for which we are unprepared.
In all that today may bring; the anticipated and the surprising,
The pleasant and the testing;
Go before us, alert us to the real issues,
strengthen us for Good,
awaken us if we sleepwalk into sin,
show us the way out of the Darkness
and fill us with love, hope and peace
as we cling fast to you.
Amen.

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Epiphany

The season of Epiphany starts on 6 January and ends on 1 February. It highlights Christ’s revelation to the world and fulfilment of the desires of the ages. The biblical themes recalled are the visit of the Magi, Christ’s Baptism and the first miracle ie changing of water into wine. On 2 February, we celebrate the Presentation (of Christ at the Temple) aka Candlemas.

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Let us pray that the flame of God’s loving presence may spring up in our hearts and transform us by the knowledge of divine glory.
A light or lights may be lit as the following prayer is said by all:
We take refuge in the Divine Light,
The Flame of Truth
The soul’s Ray
We take refuge in the Embodiment of Glory
The Lamp of our path
The Essence of love
[Based on a prayer from the Church of South India]

As we hear the scriptures read, may they lead us to the Christ, and may we find in Jesus the fulfilment of all our searching.
Psalm[s] and reading[s].
Blessed are those who hear the word of God
And do it.
Quiet and/or shared reflection. A framework for reflection, using the pattern of the Lord’s prayer may be used.
At Jesus’s baptism, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’
We see and testify that this is the Son of God.
[See Matthew 3:17 & John 1:34 ]

The Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon) may be said or chanted together.
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
[ELLC translation of Luke 2:29-32]
Hallowed be your name, Father, through the Son in the Holy Spirit;
as in the beginning, so now and for ever. Amen.

Be exalted O God, above the heavens
And your glory be over all the earth.
Your loving-kindness is higher than the heavens
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
…expressions of praise and thanks may be made silently or aloud …
Our God in heaven, father and mother to us, Hope of the nations, Fulfilment of the desires of the ages
Hallowed be your name
Concerns and biddings for the good of the world and God’s desires may be mentioned here or after the following petitions.

In a world needing wisdom to read its own stars, faithful God,
glorify your name.
Among those who are excluded and held at the margins, faithful God,
glorify your name.
In the search for meaning and fullness of life, faithful God,
glorify your name.
In the naming and framing of new knowledge, faithful God,
glorify your name.
…other petitions may be made…

In pursuit of God’s just and gentle ways, we find ourselves in need of means and sustenance
Pause to recognise our needs
As you provide for us, sustain us and equip us to serve you,
faithful God,
glorify your name.

We turn again to recognise that our ways have too often not followed God’s agenda and we have strayed from God’s priorities.
…. Pause to bring our wrongs repentantly to God…
As we turn from our sins and turn to Christ this day,
faithful God,
glorify your name.
We have failed to extend to others the courtesy of the forgiveness and forbearance we ourselves enjoy and rely upon.
… we recall before God our sense of being wronged and release forgiveness …
As we forgo our claims on others for revenge and recompense for wrongs
faithful God,
glorify your name.

As we seek to be guided by the star of Christ’s coming and be faithful to our baptism, let us reflect on what challenges to our faithfulness and integrity the coming hours may bring, and pause respectfully before the many unknowns of our future.
Pause for recollection.
Today into our lives we weave
The ways of God with the air we breathe.
Facing times of trial and stress
We call upon God’s power to bless.
When we pass through joyful things
We make to God our thanksgivings.
All who in body or mind we meet
may God through us both touch and greet.
In every task and deed that’s done
We weave the purpose of the Son.

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Thursday

Thursday’s prayers tend to reflect the theme of the season of Epiphany: Christ’s revelation to the world and fulfilment of the desires of the ages, represented in the visit of the Magi, along with recalling Christ’s Baptism and the changing of water into wine.

Let us pray that the flame of God’s loving presence may spring up in our hearts and transform us by the knowledge of divine glory.
A light may be lit as the following prayer is said by all:
We take refuge in the Divine Light,
The Flame of Truth
The soul’s Ray
We take refuge in the Embodiment of Glory
The Lamp of our path
The Essence of love
[Based on a prayer from the Church of South India]

As we hear the scriptures read, may they lead us to the Christ. And may we find in Jesus the fulfilment of all our searching.
Psalm[s] and reading[s]. There may be a time of quiet and/or shared reflection.A framework for reflection, using the pattern of the Lord’s prayer may be used.When the readings and reflection are finished…
Blessed are those who hear the word of God
And do it.
Jesus calls us to continue to follow him.
…
Lord Christ Jesus, we hear your call.
To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
We believe and know you are the Holy One of God.

The Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon) or some other, may be said or sung together.

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
ELLC version of Luke 2:29-32
Hallowed be your name, Father, through the Son in the Holy Spirit;
as in the beginning, so now and for ever. Amen.

Be exalted O God, above the heavens
And your glory be over all the earth.
Your loving-kindness is higher than the heavens
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
…expressions of praise and thanks may be made silently or aloud …
Our God in heaven, father and mother to us,
Hope of the nations, Fulfilment of the desires of the ages
Hallowed be your name!
Concerns and biddings for the good of the world and God’s desires may be mentioned here or after each or all of the following petitions.
In a world needing wisdom to read its own stars, faithful God,
glorify your name.
Among those who are excluded and held at the margins, faithful God,
glorify your name.
In the search for meaning and fullness of life, faithful God,
glorify your name.
In the naming and framing of new knowledge, faithful God,
glorify your name.
…other petitions may be made…
In pursuit of God’s just and gentle ways, we find ourselves in need of means and sustenance
Pause to recognise our needs
As you provide for us, sustain us and equip us to serve you, faithful God,
glorify your name.
Yet our ways have too often not pursued God’s agenda and have got in the way of God’s priorities.
… Pause to bring our wrongs repentantly to God…
As we turn from our sins and turn to Christ this day
faithful God,
glorify your name.
And we have failed to extend to others the courtesy of the forgiveness and forbearance we ourselves enjoy and rely upon.
… we recall before God our sense of being wronged and release forgiveness ..
As we forgo our claims on others for revenge. and recompense for wrongs
faithful God,
glorify your name.

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