1 day ago

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
Monday, December 6, 2021
Thank you to Brigitte McKenzie for today's prayer. Today is the
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada. We invite you to gather with some friends - maybe virtually --to acknowledge this Day together.
www.commonword.ca/FileDownload/19865/2013_Dec6-Service-Imposed.pdf

Merciful God, we pray for all who have lost their original sense of being cherished and loved through harmful and traumatizing acts and words they have experienced. Restore in them the hope and promise of being your beloved ones through the lovingkindness and mercy shown to them by others.
Deacon Brigitte McKenzie,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

**Advent 3**

**December 12, 2021**

*Luke 3: 7-18*

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him,

"You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Bear fruits worthy of repentance.

Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor';

for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees;

every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

And the crowds asked him,

"What then should we do?"

In reply he said to them,

"Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none;

and whoever has food must do likewise."

Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him,

"Teacher, what should we do?"

He said to them,

"Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you."

Soldiers also asked him,

"And we, what should we do?"

He said to them,

"Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation,

and be satisfied with your wages."

As the people were filled with expectation, and

all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,

John answered all of them by saying,

"I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming;

I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and

to gather the wheat into his granary;

but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

*Prayer*

Holy One, Divine Friend, Spirit of Life,

these days of Advent, leading to Christmas, have a special magic,

but these days are also full of

the wrath of gender-based violence,

the raised stones of political polarity,

the tree axing of clear-cut forests, and

the fruitless languishing impact of COVID.

One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire,

renew and change us, and the world, during this Advent time.

One who gathers wheat into the granary,

pull us together as your people.

One who burns the chaff with unquenchable fire,

help us sort out what is important, essential, and faithful.

Holy One,

what then shall we do?

You teach us to share, be generous, and to care for the needy and naked.

Encourage us to offer this kindness to those in our lives and

to work to convert the systems that keep poverty and hunger in place.

Divine Friend,

what then shall we do?

You urge us to be honest, fair, and to not take more than our share.

Empower us to act in this way of integrity and grace in our personal lives,

and to insist this way is followed in our political, social structures.

Spirit of Life,

what then shall we do?

You admonish us and tell us not to extort, not to threaten, not to accuse falsely.

In our relationships, our communities, our world,

inspire us to live without dominating, controlling, and power-grabbing.

Holy One, Divine Friend, Spirit of Life

proclaim your good news.

May joy ring through your children.

Advent heralds the coming of love,

may unexpected and amazing newness arrive in our midst again this year.

Photo credit: millcitychurch.com/advent-week-3-the-candle-of-joy/ ... See MoreSee Less