Advent 4   The Candle of Love

SCRIPTURE: Luke 3: 3-6

John went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” ’

STORY: ” Four years old, and caring for her grandmother”

“Role Model” by KiwanukaVoice one:         

My name is Mara. I’m nine years old now. I used to live in the country. My mother and father died of AIDS. I don’t remember them. My first memory is of my grandmother, lying in bed, sick, saying “Mara, go get some food.” I was 4 years old. I didn’t know what to do. I went to neighbours and begged. I did chores and errands for them. It was hard. I had jiggers (that’s parasites) in my feet and hands. It hurt to walk. I could barely use my hands. My stomach was always sore, I was so hungry.

Then a little girl from the city made friends with me. Next thing her mom and dad had taken me home with them to Nairobi! The doctors gave me medicine and I went to school. My best friend in school has leukemia. I love to take care of her, and anybody who is sick. My family call me Mara the nurse! I think I love caring for sick people because I found love when I was so sick. I believe that.

Voice 2:               

We love because we have first been loved. Love begets love.

PRAYER:

Leader:   Holy God,

People:   who loved us before we ever deserved it,

and whose arms are open to us through every trial,

shine your light of love into our hearts

that we may love the downtrodden, the dirty and the unloveable

and never ask whether they deserve it.

WE LIGHT THE CANDLE OF LOVE:

Leader:   We light this candle to welcome Christ’s light of love into every fearful and hardened heart.

People:   Come Lord Jesus Christ, River of Love, flow through the world.

SUGGESTED SUNG RESPONSE:

More Voices # 33, Jesus came bringing us love.

See the notices in today’s bulletin for ideas on how you might give a GIFT of LOVE this Christmas.

BULLETIN

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