Wellspring@Home         

DECEMBER 13th 2020
​Worship online 
Wellspring's 'worship-@-home'
​
Kevin Price (our minister) will take us through the
Advent season with a message each week. Today the service has been put together by Jenny Few.

Advent 3 : Waiting for the Messiah 
  
Advent and preparing for Christmas is a time of anticipation, for believing that a new way of living is possible; we call it the season of goodwill to all people, and we believe it for a time.  This year, in the grip of a pandemic, enduring lock-downs and fear, and economic hardship for many people, the world has also experienced something wonderful. We have heard loud bird song, breathed clean air, and some in polluted cities have seen mountain tops. And above all countless acts of kindness and sacrificial love have occurred. (I’m often moved by
the amazing stories told on East Midlands Today ‘Make
a difference’ slot) Even when things seem dark and
terrible, light shines.

Is this what prophets were trying to tell us? They foretold that the Messiah, God’s chosen leader would come into
the world. Did they also mean that God’s rule, His way
of living and managing the earth, would be ushered in?
Is this what we’ve glimpsed a tiny bit of this year?
Jesus spoke of the Kingdom or rule of God, centred in himself, but also to be lived out by his followers; we pray Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.It might be a good idea to ask ourselves what we mean when we pray that!

Prophets spoke and wrote at times of despair and hopelessness, when people were oppressed by despotic rulers, and exiled in Babylon. How they cried out to God in their disillusion and despair! How wonderful the words of Isaiah must have been when heard for the first time!

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, 
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace there
will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
(Isaiah 9 vs 6,7 New King James version)

The idea took hold, that one day God would raise up a wise, just leader, someone a bit like King David, maybe. The how and when wasn’t as important as the hope and sense of anticipation this longing gave rise to. It was a long wait; centuries passed, but eventually as St Paul puts it, 
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman.  (Galatians 4 vs 4  NIV)

Advent hymn     
There’s a light upon the mountains  MP 679

Picture







The Grass-Poly
A mystery species of plant known as grass-poly, last recorded over 100 years ago, has been found growing on  the banks of an old farmland pond in Norfolk. It "came back from the dead" after seeds submerged in the mud were disturbed during work to restore the pond.
(Image of the flower is by Rob Peacock on BBC news website)

Prayer
God of hope, thank you that even when the earth around an old pond seems barren and dead, long dormant seeds can germinate and grow.
God of promise, think you that even when we cannot ‘see’ you at work in our world, you are there. Amen
 
Bible readings    Isaiah 9 vs 2-7, John 1 vs 6-8; 19-28

Kevin’s Reflection    'Waiting for the Messiah'

​Prayer
Lord, it occurs to me that I am often guilty of
something Jesus came up against, time and time again:
he was misunderstood because of wrong assumptions.
He was criticised, abused, ridiculed, ignored because
he didn’t look like many people’s ideas of a Messiah:
Forgive me when I misjudge people and make
assumptions about them,based on my own prejudice.
Help me always to welcome others, and to welcome
you, with open heart and mind.
Amen

Advent Hymn  
Joy to the World  MP 393   

​Prayer for others 

Send your Spirit of wisdom
And understanding,
Of counsel and might,
Of knowledge and reverence for your ways
Upon all who we bring before you now:
 
We pray for governments and world leaders, that God would raise up wise and compassionate leaders who put the well-being of people above all e, and who seek to promote justice and peace.

We pray for modern prophets, all who speak truth to power, about climate change, about corruption and abuse, about poverty; who seek to change hearts and minds, and government policies.

We pray for charities and NGOs in their efforts on behalf of poor and marginalised people, and for  Amnesty International, in its efforts to seek justice for people wrongly imprisoned...

We pray for ourselves, our church, and all who need our prayers today

                           s i l e n c e 

And so may the earth be filled
With the knowledge of the Lord
As the waters cover the sea. Amen.
 
Benediction 
May we anticipate your coming, Lord Jesus
with our eyes open, ears ready to hear your call,
and our hearts aflame with love for you.
Amen.
 
​
Beginning and end © Order for Baptist Ministry Shorter Daily Office
​for Tuesday and Advent. Used with permission
'We shall meet'-  a 'song for Covid'.
​
We shall have this link every week for the next
few weeks at least.
Original words and music Hans Olav Mørk (Norway)
© Words: 2020 WGRG, c/o Iona Community, Glasgow, Scotland
© Music: John Bell, WGRG, c/o Iona Community, Glasgow, Scotland
CCLI Song Number: 7153725  Wellspring CCLI licence no. 571370

December Lectionary readings

Week 2 Dec 6th
Isaiah 40.1-11; Psalm 85.1-2,8-13; 2 Peter 3.8-15a; Mark 1.1-8

Week 3 Dec 13th
Isaiah 61.1-4,8-11; Psalm 126; Luke 1.46b-55 (Magnificat); 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24; John 1.6-8,19-28  

Week 2 Dec 6th
Isaiah 40.1-11; Psalm 85.1-2,8-13; 2 Peter 3.8-15a; Mark 1.1-8


Week 3 Dec 13th
Isaiah 61.1-4,8-11; Psalm 126; Luke 1.46b-55 (Magnificat); 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24; John 1.6-8,19-28  


Week 4 Dec 20th
2 Samuel 7.1-11,16; Luke 1.46b-55 (Magnificat); Psalm 89.1-4,19-26; Romans 16.25-27; Luke 1.26-38 
 
Week 5 Dec 27th
tbc
​
                     
S O N G S​  &  S T O R I E S 

There are no lyrics available on this website. It may be that a song booklet will be produced sometime...

​There are no SONGS for December, because we are all familiar with the carols of the season.

But there are a few more STORIES relevant to the Christmas and December...

​
Songs for August

​Additional songs for September


​Additional songs for October


​Additional songs for November

                     
S T O R I E S
​
You can find a brief description of what our stories are about by clicking here.
​
Stories for August

​Additional stories for September

Additional stories and readings for October

​Additional stories and readings for November

Additional stories for December
Christmas Card Star (14 mins.)
A story from Hoy about a Christmas stranger
A story by Harry Berry
The box of fishMiss Tait... (5 mins)
The power of Christmas transformation in Rousay
​A story by George Mackay Brown
The box of fish (6 mins)
Orkney December priorities for four old men and a boy...
A story by George Mackay Brown
The Christmas horse (9 mins)
One Peedie boy's Christmas - long ago
A story by George Mackay Brown
The Fourth Wise Man (3 mins)
An imaginary reminiscence from a Welsh writer
Christmas Children
Christmas priorities of Children and adults - a true story from near Glasgow.