"These Dark Days"

Hello one and all. A few of us gathered in the Big Red Church on Saturday to record a Sunday service. We have also included a small clip featuring two young men and their mum. These three recorded a reading related to the first Sunday of Advent. The reading introduces the theme of hope and includes the lighting of a candle, symbolizing the light of God's presence within and among us.

I am aware that the recordings posted are in no way like our regular Sunday gatherings. Even so, they offer a means for our community to gather in the spirit. It is my trust that each of you will find some aspect of the service that is encouraging as we go through these dark days. I will also encourage you to contact me should these days be hard for you or someone you care about.

Here is the video:

These are the scripture readings in which the service is rooted:

Isaiah 64:6-9 - We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.

Psalm 80:3-7 - Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure. You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Mark 13:24-27 - "But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.