Welcome to all who seek after Christ this evening.
At Christmas, we face our own weakness as we meditate on how God entered our human frailty to bring us Love. Your weaknesses, hurts, confusions, struggles, and hopes are welcome here – it is often in these things that we come to know God most clearly. Be at peace here. May you know the love of God shared in community, in scripture, in prayer, and in bread and wine. God bless you. What follows is adapted from the Anglican Book of Alternative Services beginning at page 185. At the final blessing you may wish to mark the sign of the cross upon yourself as a way of acknowledging and receiving the grace of God within you. If Anglican worship is unfamiliar to you, there are a number of explanations throughout this leaflet to help you feel at home.
Well, we are online for this one, so we leave the candle to you! Why not try to create some 'sacred space' in your own home designing a space that feels set-apart and special to you. Candles are helpful, essential oils or other scents might help, removing clutter and creating a focal point on a cross, or even just your computer with the service. Small things can make a difference. (But don't stress: being gently together with Christ remains the most important thing.)
We will celebrate communion tonight. A few mechanics:
As we guide you through the process of building a creche, you might like to gather in advance the following: