op/en Advent
   

 

PreparationMusic: 'Calling All Angels' [1993] - Jane Siberry
Gathering

Chairs are in a circle. Altar is completely bare. Lighting is down low.

Hymn

O come O come Emmanuel
started by 4 soloists from different parts of church, moving towards the centre as they sing. All join in the final verses.

ReadingIsaiah 2:1-5
Meditation

Images of Zion

 

Magnificat 
Intercessions

6 sections, spoken by different voices from around the church. Wise man, poor widow, old man, mother, everyman, God

Confession

Music: 'Sing for Absolution' [2003] - Muse

PeaceIn the tender mercy of our God,
the dayspring form on high shall break upon us,
to give light to those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
 

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you

OffertoryAfter the peace, all make their way to the back of church to prepare for the Offertory procession. Procession consists of vicar, cross, candle, prayer book, communion elements, followed by all carrying tea lights.
 

The procession starts in silence, then this reading ('Carrying a Candle' - Jan Sutch Pickard) is read over music ('An Ending (Ascent)' [1983] - Brian Eno)

Carrying a candle
from one little place of shelter
to another
is an act of love.

To move through the huge
and hungry darkness, step by step,
against the invisible wind
that blows for ever around the world,
carrying a candle,
is an act of foolhardy hope.

Surely it will be blown out:
the wind is contemptuous,
the darkness cannot comprehend it.
How much light can this tiny flame shed
on all the great issues of the day?
It is as helpless as a newborn child.

Look how the human hand,
that cradles it, has become translucent:
fragile and beautiful; foolish and loving.
Step by step.

The wind is stronger than this hand,
and the darkness infinite
around this tiny here-and-now flame
that wavers, but keeps burning:
carried with such care
through an uncaring world
from one little place of shelter to another.
An act of love.

The light shines in the darkness
and the darkness can never put it out.

 

The altar is dressed at the end of the procession. Tea lights placed on and around the altar. All remain standing round. Then silence.

Creed

We believe in God,
robed in splendour,
veiled in mystery,
ruler alike of darkness and light.

We encounter God
in Jesus Christ,
who was tortured and put to death,
but whose radiance could not be quenched;
whose touch brings a blaze of colour
to a dull, drab world:
reviving the weary,
healing the wounded,
dazzling the satisfied.

We walk with God,
guided by the light of God's loving spirit,
who enters the shadowed places of our hearts
and leads us into truth and life.

We wait for God,
and for the fulfilment of God's promises,
for the time when the darkness will hold no fear
and the light will no longer blind,
but creation will be made whole once more
and God's peace will reign for ever.

Amen

Communion

All return to their seats. Eucharistic Prayer F from Common Worship is used. Communion distributed round the circle, as this projection is shown:

 

Music: 'Elegy for Dunkirk' (2007) - Dario Marianelli

  
Sending out

Music: 'Waiting' (1997) - The Devlins

 

End

Music: 'Thank You for Hearing Me' (1994) - Sinéad O'Connor

Music: 'Until the End of the World' (1991) - U2

Music: 'Ramblin' Man' (2002) - Lemon Jelly