Almighty God, we are taught by your word that all our doings without love are worth nothing. Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN.
For peace from on high and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Church of God, for Leopold the bishop of the Windwards Islands; Scott the bishop of Northwest Texas; Peter the Bishop of Benin(Nigeria) Nicolas the Bishop of Bermuda; and, all bishops. Let us pray to the Lord for the unity of all.
Lord, have mercy.
For Linda our primate, Mark our national indigenous archbishop, Greg our archbishop, the parish of St. Barnabas, Calgary Kersi their priest, and Jerrod and Eric their honorary Assistants. The Primates World Relief and Development Fund and its Diocesan and Parish representatives, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For our parish: Norbert our Incumbent; Hayden, and Martyn our honorary assistants; Andy, Bernard, Dave and Sean, our Wardens and all parishioners, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For Elizabeth our Queen, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the towns of Okotoks and High River, the City of Calgary, and for every city and community, and for those who live in them in faith, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For good weather, and for abundant harvests for all to share, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who travel by land, water, or air, for the sick and the suffering (especially . . . ), for prisoners and captives, and for their safety, health, and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For our deliverance from all affliction, strife, and need, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the absolution and remission of our sins and offences, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Remembering ( . . . and) all the saints, we commit ourselves, one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.
To you, O Lord.
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications to you, and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together you will hear their requests. Fulfil now our desires and petitions, as may be best for us, granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come eternal life; for you, Father, are good and loving, and we glorify you through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, in the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Second Sunday of Advent; the Bethlehem Candle (Faith)
May this Bethlehem candle remind us that you are faithful, and Your promises are true and we thank You for the promise to never leave or forsake us.
As we approach the day of the celebration of Christ’s birth let us open wide the doors of our hearts in preparation, to receive afresh the wonder of Emmanuel, the God who is with us.
As we ponder the importance of what happened so long ago when Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel, we remember the words of the angels, the prophets, the teachers of old and we celebrate all the promises that you made through them. May your truth be born in us.
Help us to take firm hold of the truth of all these things; knowing in the depths of our being that even now you are seeking to work in and through us to fulfil the promises you have made.
Lord may this Christmas season be for us and for those around us a season of healing, hope, love and joy. A time of sharing and of rejoicing with all the earth as we celebrate Your birth and await Your coming again.
We ask You to give us courage to walk by faith and not by sight as we put our trust in You, knowing that You want the best for us.
