Our meetings Yesterday reflected the 1st Sunday of Advent , and both were led by Major Ian F Payne
‘What do you want me to do for you’
O come O come Immanuel
Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 ‘What do you want me to do for you?
Bible reading were taken from Luke 18:40-41 & John 9:10
‘How then were your eyes opened?’ they asked.
Our first song of the morning was :-
Song 104 Come thou long expected
Tune 318 Burning Burning
Which was followed by the Lighting of the First Candle on the Advent Wreath
By the Abbott Family who chose
Song 117 O Come O Come Immanuel
Tune 444 “ “
and led the Corp in Prayer
Major Ian gave a Bible reading John 9:1-12, and this was followed by the singing of
Song 102 Away in a Manger
Tune 497 “ “
and the congregation were asked to bring forward their gifts as part of the Christmas Toy service appeal
Prayer was given for those to receive the toys
The Singing Company gave us the song I will Believe and the Songsters message this morning was Love came down at Christmas
We had a Film Clip – Advent What do you want me to do for you
Message ‘What do you want me to do for you’
Major Ian offered the chance for the congregation to come forward and be blessed for service , and approx. 50 of the corps responded ( Kate Boughton had to play 4 or more tunes on the piano to cover the time of this very powerful moment )
Our final songs of the morning were
Song 386 Open our eyes Lord
and
Song 114 Light of the World you stepped down
Tune 653 Here I am to Worship
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AFTERNOON
Our Band and supporting collection team were out in Rochester High Street during the afternoon , playing at the Dickens Festival- with some help from the Town Cryer
It was very busy and the music was much appreciated , with good crowds being drawn , so much so that the stewards had to keep asking people to leave a path down the road
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Sunday Evening
6pm Corps Reflection
Advent Meditation Music & Words
Our Evening Meeting was as billed , a time for meditation , Major’s Ian & Judith shared the readings , and the congregation was asked to relax & receive
Music Gabriel’s Oboe
Advent Prayer
In this Advent of expectation
draw us together in unity,
that our praise and worship
might echo in these walls
and also through our lives.
In this Advent of expectation
draw us together in mission,
that the hope within
might be the song we sing,
and the melody of our lives.
In this Advent of expectation
draw us together in service,
that the path we follow
might lead us from a stable
to a glimpse of eternity. AMEN
Readings were heard from John 1 Genesis 1 Micah 5 Isaiah 9 Jeremiah 29:11 Luke 2 Matthew 2
Benediction
This Advent time let us all;
Be people of love.
Let love live in your heart and share the love of Christ with all you meet.
Be people of joy.
Let joy live in your heart and share the joy of Christ with all you meet.
Be people of peace.
Let peace live in your heart and share the peace of Christ with all you meet.
Be people of hope.
Let hope live in your heart and share the hope of Christ with all you meet.
In this Advent season, let us all feel, and share
Hope, Peace, Joy & love by praying for our world & our communities.
May we all know God’s Love, Joy, Peace, and Hope, this Advent season. Amen.