Advent- Moving from Darkness to Light

Moving from darkness to light is the theme of Advent this year at Jeff Street, my church. I had the good fortune to be on the worship committee for the season and it was especially sweet to allow my dear friend, Sue, who is usually involved, to be surprised with the worship setting and service.

A few of us punched tin cans with stars and put a battery votive inside for each family to take home and bring back each week. Hopefully they can have an advent moment with them along the journey.
I am using mine to reflect on while I carve a rubber stamp for the cover of the bulletin each week.

To punch the cans, fill with water and freeze first. This will keep the can in shape as you punch the design. I used a large nail and hammered my design. Some looked more like stars than others. I punched the bottom half of the can only as that was where the votive would be.

I'll try to get some photos of church this week. We are using different candle each week to create the Advent Wreath which is a change from the standard purple and pink. But effective. The first was a 3x5 navy blue candle surrounded with ivy. The windows were covered with navy fleece and the backs of the chairs had a piece of felt attached with velcro going from darkest blue in the back to white on the front row of chairs. A ladder was covered with blue fabric and the cans were arranged on it. After our circle for communion, a representative of each family was invited to come up and get a tin to take home, return to the circle and light it. I made sure even visitors got one.

It was sweet and I hope folks liked it.

This was the first weeks carving. Meant to be mostly dark. I'm working on the stamp today for this Sunday.

Blessing for Waiting by Jan Richardson

Who wait 

for the night to end

bless them.

Who wait

for the night 

to begin

bless them.

Who wait

in the hospital room

who wait 

in the cell

who wait

in prayer

bless them.

Who wait for new

who wait 

for the phone call

who wait

 for a word

who wait

for a job

a house

a child

bless them. 

Who wait 

for one who

will come home

who wait

for one who

will not come home

bless them.

Who wait with fear

who wait with joy

who wait with peace

who wait with rage

who wait for the end

who wait for the beginning

who wait alone

who wait together

bless them.

Who wait

without knowing 

what they wait for

or why

bless them.

Who wait

when they

should not wait

who wait

when they should be

in motion

who wait 

when they need

to rise

who wait

when they need 

to set out

bless them.

Who wait

for the end

of waiting

who wait

for the fullness 

of time

who wait

emptied and

open and

ready

who wait

for you 

o bless.