A prayer for a New Year –
Be with us God, as we set out on the journey of a new year, new beginnings, and new hope. Give us the grace and strength we need, the compassion and sensitivity others need from us, and the wisdom and humility to respond in ways that nurture all of creation. Amen.
A prayer for Christmas: Far from home and close to home, we welcome the birth of the Christ child. Hope, peace, joy, and love are found in a manger and throughout the world. Amen.
Happy Advent!
The theme for Advent worship is Dare to Imagine. This season as we prepare and anticipate Christmas, can we dare to imagine God’s hope, peace, joy, and love in our world and in our life? Let’s dare to imagine our path forward with God, toward God’s dream for our world.
Joy to the world!
We are wonders, blessed wonders,
singing joy to the world.
“Solemn Stillness, Weary Streets”
#276 Voices Together
Peace and blessings for a joyous Advent season!
Pastor Eleanor
We are People of God’s Peace
We are heralds of God’s peace for the new creation,
and by grace the word of peace reaches every nation.
Though we falter and we fail. Christ will still renew us.
By the Holy Spirit’s power, God is working through us.
hymn Voices Together #407
based on text by Menno Simons (verse 2)
O God, we are blessed to be a human family, blessed to be on this land, blessed to have neighbours as diverse as your creation. We thank you for Indigenous neighbours and friends.
As a community of faith, we join in the lament of our nation. We lament that historic and contemporary racism continues to mar our relations. We lament the church’s role that privileges settler peoples at the expense of the First Peoples of this land. We lament apathy in the face of the need for change, in ways that make a difference.
For the witness of strength, caring, and love of Indigenous peoples, and for the struggle for what is just and right, open our hearts this day. Encourage us to listen more, to participate in the movements for change that will bring us together in good and respectful ways.
Thank you that truth and reconciliation are possible, not just as a distance point on the horizon but as the work we do every day. Creator, you anchor our commitment to reconciliation and will help us act when we see injustice.
Hear our laments, and grow our hearts full of compassion as we strive to be a better friend and neighbour. We pray in the name of Creator. Amen.
At first, it may feel strange and unsettling after 17 months worshipping online together, but God is present with us in whatever circumstances we gather together to worship. Let’s be safe, thoughtful, patient, and kind with each other.
Check out the BMC Covid-19 Safety Protocols online https://www.breslaumc.ca/about-us/covid-19-safety-protocols
May the God of hope and peace continue to guide us in our planning, preparations, and gathering for worship in-person and online
with new videos each morning, including Bible stories, music, crafts, games. and more! Posted online and remaining up for the summer, you can re-watch and participate again and again. Get ready for lots of exploring this summer!
https://sites.google.com/view/bmc-summer-camp-2021/home
With summer worship, we are encouraged to consider trees in the Bible. It may surprise us to learn about the variety of trees mentioned in scripture. The lessons trees offer, and the stories told under or near a tree. Trees have a significant role in the biblical account: blessing and promise, comfort and challenge, healing and hope.
Happy Easter!
The Season of Easter invites us to look for and celebrate the experiences of unity, compassion and hope
that are happening right now.
May Easter be a season of hope because God loves you.
May Easter be a time of peace because you are forgiven.
May Easter fill you with joy, for Christ is risen.
Loving God, increase my strength, this Lenten season, to persevere day by day in our growing intimacy. Bless the depth of my ache for belonging so that I can reach the depth of your love for me. Expand my desire for a life of holiness with you. Communicate to me your energy and your love. Take me with you to the depth and heights of radiant Love. Amen.
We acknowledge with gratitude the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishnawbe, and Neutral peoples upon which we gather. We seek a new relationship with Indigenous peoples, one based in honour and deep respect.
