Welcome to the 2nd Sunday creative worship service in December. It’s the 3rd Sunday in Advent! Pink Candles, St Lucia and much more!
Whether you are avoiding #Whamageddon or are a #Whamhunter please join us in taking some time out to use this at your convenience or meet us online at 3.
(No in person meeting today)
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kebGFZBsh4
Meeting ID: 816 9536 5641
Passcode: 289878
You are not in this alone, and we have the heritage of the Church spread throughout time and space to draw on. Take time to become aware of your feelings, your thoughts, your breathing, and may the peace of God be with you.
I. Third Sunday of Advent Anticipation
V O God, make speed to save us;
R O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
II. Reading and Psalms
Luke 1 : 46b – 55 and Psalm 126
Time for Reflection Activities
Today we are remembering Mary singing a song. This song links to the words of the prophets in her tradition, and has inspired generations who follow after her.
Each person, community, generation …ethnos, takes what they value and expresses it. We also learn to sense value through immersion in this stuff of culture. If this is done with respect then the transition between generations can flow smoothly. Times of technological advance, scarcity, famine, and other crises can threaten this natural growth however and the 20th century has seen massive change.
One such change is the rise of social media. With it has come the rise in popularity of things like visual memes. Perhaps they are a bit like the hit songs of the 60’s. They help define subcultures, and people to express their thoughts and feelings. This time for reflection will help you make some of your own.
The first thing to notice is that they are never simply a picture of text. Even if they are a picture of text.
By combining text with an image (or lack of one) they attract the viewer’s attention and evoke a response. Successful memes invite you to use them to express your identity, establish your boundaries by incuding other people. To be a little provocative, but perhaps in a way which makes people laugh, then think, then laugh again.
Some memes simply state an opinion. Draw attention to what looks like a fact of life.
Other memes build on people’s experience of the type of meme to make simple statements about quite complicated issues.
Look at the passage or psalm we started with. Mull it over in the context of prayer. Talk with someone if that helps you both! Find somewhere quiet if that is your thing.
Are there any words of phrases which stand out?
Are there any pictures which come to mind or reinforce your thoughts?
Does it remind you of a good joke?
Express yourself. You could write it as a simple piece of text or a memory verse. You could add graphics or paint a picture. Using technology you could take the words and overlay them on a photo – or find a meme already in use and adapt it.
There are even resources online to help you make your own memes
(like Imageflip but look around for one which you are comfortable using, and remember to ask if you are not paying to use it – what other costs are involved?)
Finally.
Worship and prayer can happen wherever people are, at any time, and whether they are alone or with others. But Liturgy is the structured and shared worship that Christians engage in when they are together – as Jesus said, ‘where two or three are gathered in my name.’
What is Liturgy? (S.E.C. explanation)
The last year has seen many people move online for shopping, work, socialising and to maintain their relationships and community. For some it has been like moving to another country. For some, especially those under 50 it is the country they have grown up in. If meeting and sharing is core to liturgy, then having visited this ‘new online world’ by learning the skills like creating memes you have made, adapting to accommodate this form of expression, we can help grow a Church which is less ‘alien’ for many people.
Magnificat
1. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord:
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
2. for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant:
from this day all generations will call me blessed;
3. the Almighty has done great things for me:
and holy is his name.
4. He has mercy on those who fear him:
in every generation.
5. He has shown the strength of his arm:
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
6. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones:
and has lifted up the lowly.
7. He has filled the hungry with good things:
and the rich he has sent away empty.
8. He has come to the help of his servant Israel:
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
9. the promise he made to our fathers:
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Silence or words
Kyrie
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory
are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect
Stir up our prayers, Lord, and hear us:
that they who are sorrowful and suffering
may rejoice at the Advent of your only-begotten Son;
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!
The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing:
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Please send in photos of your responses! :
- e-mail quartz@wordsmithcrafts.co.uk and we will collate them for display online
- Comment using the link at the top
- Get in touch or sign up to the Quartz mailing list!
And if you were wondering about the Saint Lucia reference:
https://www.facebook.com/QuartzInStJohnsDumfries/posts/3517208631702797