January 29, 2023 – 10:30 AM - Sunday Service

Sermon: Let your light shine

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Readings

Matthew 5:1-20

The Beatitudes

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

The Law and the Prophets

‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

January 22, 2023 – 10:30 AM - Sunday Service

Sermon: The moment things changed

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Psalm Readings

Psalm 27 (Refrain 2, Tone 2)

Triumphant Song of Confidence

Of David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
   whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
   of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me
   to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
   they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,
   my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
   yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the Lord,
   that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
   all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
   and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter
   in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
   he will set me high on a rock.

Now my head is lifted up
   above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
   sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
   be gracious to me and answer me!
‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face!’
   Your face, Lord, do I seek.
   Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,
   you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
   O God of my salvation!
If my father and mother forsake me,
   the Lord will take me up.

Teach me your way, O Lord,
   and lead me on a level path
   because of my enemies.
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
   for false witnesses have risen against me,
   and they are breathing out violence.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
   in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
   be strong, and let your heart take courage;
   wait for the Lord!

Scripture Readings

Matthew 4: 12-23

Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
   on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
the people who sat in darkness
   have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
   light has dawned.’
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

January 15, 2023 – 10:30 AM - Sunday Service

Sermon: It can be so tempting!

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Psalm Readings

Psalm 40: 1-5 Refrain 2 (Sung responsively)

Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Help

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
   he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
   out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
   making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
   a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
   and put their trust in the Lord.

Happy are those who make
   the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
   to those who go astray after false gods.
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
   your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us;
   none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
   they would be more than can be counted.

Scripture Readings

Matthew 4: 1-11

The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written,
“One does not live by bread alone,
   but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you”,
   and “On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
   and serve only him.” ’
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

January 8, 2023 – 10:30 AM - Sunday Service

Sermon: Showered with love

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 42:1-9

The Servant, a Light to the Nations

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
   my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
   he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry or lift up his voice,
   or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
   and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
   he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be crushed
   until he has established justice in the earth;
   and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the Lord,
   who created the heavens and stretched them out,
   who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
   and spirit to those who walk in it:
I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
   I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
   a light to the nations,
   to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
   from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord, that is my name;
   my glory I give to no other,
   nor my praise to idols.
See, the former things have come to pass,
   and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
   I tell you of them.

Matthew 3:13-17

The Baptism of Jesus

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’

January 01, 2023 – 10:30AM Epiphany Sunday

Sermon: The first word and the last

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Responsive Reading

Psalm 148

Praise for God’s Universal Glory

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
   praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
   praise him, all his host!

Praise him, sun and moon;
   praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
   and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
   for he commanded and they were created.
He established them for ever and ever;
   he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
   you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
   stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Mountains and all hills,
   fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
   creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
   princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
   old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
   for his name alone is exalted;
   his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
   praise for all his faithful,
   for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!

Scripture Readings

Matthew 2:13-23

The Escape to Egypt

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’

The Massacre of the Infants

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
   wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
   she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’

The Return from Egypt

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Everything Has Its Time

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

December 25, 2022 – 10:30 AM Christmas Day

WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

Order of Service

“Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all

the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the

Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2:10b-11

The Gathering: We Come into God’s Presence

*Please rise and stand as you are able.

Organ Prelude Chorale Prelude on “In dulci jubilo” J. S. Bach

Matthew Larkin

Welcome and Announcements

*Hymn 146 Angels from the realms of glory “Regent Square”

Henry T. Smart (1813-1879) Words: James Montgomery (1771-1854)

*Call to Worship from Isaiah 9:2,6 Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.

For a child has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlast of Peace.

Prayers of Approach

Call to Confession**

Prayer of Confession and Words of Forgiveness

Holy God, too often we feel as if change is hopeless, the problems of this world

too big,

the path forward is unclear, and we are not confident that we can make a

difference.

Sometimes we give up hope

(The candle of hope is snuffed out).

Together we pray

Forgive us for extinguishing Hope

Holy God, too often we believe that peace is a thing of fairy tales. Our spirits

are anxious and our bodies are weary.

Our world is fractured. Instead of praying for peace- both in ourselves and in

society- we assume that peace is no longer on the table and sometimes we

give up on it

(The candle of peace is snuffed out).

Together we pray

Forgive us for extinguishing Peace

Holy God, too often we paint joy as naïve, a luxury reserved for children and

pets.

We forget that you ate with friends, went to weddings, laughed and rested and

hiked up mountains.

We forget that you knew joy and that you want joy for us in this. Forgive us

for when we have turned from your light

(The candle of joy is snuffed out).

Together we pray

Forgive us for extinguishing Joy

Holy God, we confess that sometimes we treat love like a vending machine.

We put some coins in and assume we will get something back. However in our

wisest moments we also know that love is not meant to keep score.

It is meant to overflow and spill out to our neighbours, to be what you are

doing to transform the world. Forgive us for holding love so tightly.

(The candle of love is snuffed out).

Together we pray

Forgive us for extinguishing Love

Assurance of Forgiveness

(As the candles of hope, peace and joy are relit from the Christ candle.)

We are forgiven

We are loved

The good news of this day, the hope, the peace, the joy and the love

of this day,

They exist for you.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Psalm 96 (responsive) - Sing to the Lord a new song

Prayer for Illumination** Melanie Abeysundera

Invitation to the Offering**

Like Mary,

we believe in cherishing the good news.

Like the angels,

we believe in singing God’s praise

Like the shepherds,

we believe that God’s presence in our life is something worth

talking about

Like the generations before,

we believe that God is with us.

Like the generations to come,

we believe that God is with us.

God is here, God is love,

Thanks be to God

We Respond to God’s Word

Scripture Reading Luke 2:1-20 NT Pg. 55

Hymn 149 Away in a manger “Cradle Song”

W.J. Kirkpatrick (1838-1921) Words: Children’s Book (1885)

Children’s Time

Hymn 168 See amid the winter’s snow “Humility”

John Goss (1800-1880) Words: Edward Caswell (1814-1878)

Poetic Reading of John 1:1-5** Jeanie Hicks and Joan Rivard

Anthem Solo In the bleak midwinter Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Michael Carty

Meditation God dwells with us

Prayers of the People

Bidding: O God of Love

Draw us together in your light

The Sending: We Go out into God’s World

Hymn 139 Hark! The herald angels sing “Mendelssohn”

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Prayer of Dedication

Charge and Benediction

Organ Postlude Chorale Prelude on “In dulci jubilo” J. S. Bach

Christmas Eve 2022 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | A Festival Service of Lessons and Carols

WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

We are people gathered by God from across the National Capital area, to be a witness of Christian hope at the centre of the region

CHRISTMAS EVE 2022 | A Festival Service of Lessons and Carols

THE GATHERING: WE COME INTO GOD'S PRESENCE

Organ Voluntaries

Les bergers – Desseins éternels – Les anges – Les mages

from La Nativité du Seigneur | Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)

Matthew Larkin, organist

Opening Hymn: Once in Royal David’s City

Music by Henry J. Gauntlett (1805-1876)

Descant and last verse arrangement by Matthew Larkin (b. 1963)

Words by Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895)

Call to Worship — Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Opening Prayers

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Carol: O come, O come Emmanuel

Music: French melody, arr. J. Gramit

Words: translated from a 9th Century Latin text by Rev. J. M. Neale (1818-66)

WE HEAR GOD'S WORD

First Lesson | Isaiah 9 : 2–7

Anthem: God is with us

Music: John Tavener (1944-2013)

Words: adapted from the Orthodox Great Compline for Christmas Eve

Second Lesson | Isaiah 11 : 1–9

Carol: I wonder as I wander

Music: Appalachian melody, arr. Matthew O’Donovan

Words: collected and arranged by John Jacob Niles (1892-1980)

Third Lesson | Isaiah 35 : 1–10

Carol: Ding! Dong! Merrily on High

Music: French melody, arr. Matthew Larkin

Words: by George Ratcliffe Woodward (1838-1934)

Hymn: Hark! The herald angel’s sing

Music: Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Descant and last verse arrangement by David Willcocks (1920-2013)

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Fourth Lesson | Luke 1 : 26–38

Carol: Gabriel’s Message

Music: Basque melody, arr. David Willcocks

Words: Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924)

Fifth Lesson | Matthew 1 : 18–25

Carol: The Cherry-Tree Carol

Music: English text and melody, arr. David Willcocks

Sixth Lesson | Luke 2 : 8–20

Carol: In dulci jubilo

Music: German text and melody, arr. R. L. Pearsall (1795-1856)

Seventh Lesson | John 1 : 1–14

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Invitation to the Offering

Offertory Hymn: The First Nowell

Melody and Words from an 18th Century English source.

Descant and arrangement by Dan Forrest (b. 1978)

THE SENDING: WE GO OUT INTO GOD'S WORLD

Benediction

Closing Hymn: O come, all ye faithful

Melody attributed to J. F. Wade (1711-86)

Descant and arrangement by David Willcocks

Words by F. Oakeley (1802-80), W. T. Brooke (1848-1917), and others

Organ Voluntary: Finale (from Symphonie I, Op. 28)

Louis Vierne (1870-1937)

Matthew Larkin, organist

Cover Image: Holy family of Bethlehem in the stable

Regine Martin, motif from Regine Martin

December 24, 2022 – 6:00PM Christmas Eve A Service of the Nativity

WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

We are people gathered by God from across the National Capital area, to be a witness of Christian hope at the centre of the region CHRISTMAS EVE 2022 |

A Service of the Nativity | Pageant and Carols

THE GATHERING: WE COME INTO GOD'S PRESENCE

Organ Prelude

Matthew Larkin, organist

Over 100 people, from the ages of 2 to 82 years old, were asked to fill in the blank for the

statement: “My story is….” From the voices of different generations, hear their answers:

Teenagers: Amazing! Children: Just beginning. Adults: A wee bit messy, with lots of love.

Older Adults: Privileged. Teenagers: Hopeful. Children: Full of silliness.

Adults: Still unfolding. Older Adults: Long, but good. Teenagers: One of resilience.

Children: Incomplete, thank goodness. Adults: Multilingual. Older Adults: A work in progress.

Teenagers: My story is not just mine, it is tied to yours.

Tonight we tell the story that we tell each year – the story of Christ’s birth, the story of love made flesh. It’s a story that weaves through every generation. It’s a story that picks up the bits and pieces of our narrative and braids us together.

Adults: So tonight we will tell the story and light the Christ candle, because from generation to generation, our story belongs to God.

All together: Thanks be to God for a love like that, Amen.

Hymn 159 Oh come, all ye faithful vv 1-3 “Adeste fideles” Anonymous

Words: Latin, John Francis Wade (1711-1786) trans F. Oakeley (1802-1880)

Prayers of Approach & Confession

Assurance of God’s Love

Prayer of Illumination

A Service of the Nativity

Scene 1: Mary hears from God

Luke 1: 26 - 38

Hymn 136 The first nowell vv 1,3,6 “The First Nowell” English traditional carol

Scene 2: Joseph must decide what to do

Matthew 1: 18 - 24

Scene 3: The Census Problem

Hymn 164 O Little Town of Bethlehem vv 1-3 “Forest Green” English traditional

Words: Phillips Brook (1835-1893)

Scene 4: The Bethel Inn

Hymn 153 Joy to the World “Antioch” Lowell Mason ( 1792-1872)

Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Scene 5: Message to the Shepherds

Luke 2: 1 – 7, 8 - 19

Our Response to the Good News of Great Joy

Scene 6: The Gifts of the Magi

Matthew 2: 1 - 12

Invitation to the Offering www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts or envelopes are located in the pews

Offering Hymn 138 While shepherds watched “Winchester old” Este’s Psalter (1592)

Words: Nahum Tate (1652-1715)

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Lighting Christ Candle Insert Laurentine Mouchingham Mefire and family

Hymn 154 Silent night “Stille Nacht” Franz Gruber (1787-1863)

Words: German, trans. John Freeman Young (1820-1885)

The Sending: We Go out into God’s World

Charge and Benediction

Organ Postlude

(You are invited to STAND, if you are able, where indicated by )

The pageant portion of this service is inspired and adapted from Cloth for the Cradle,

copyright Wild Goose Resource Group © 1997 WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G51 3UU, Scotland.

Call to worship by Reverend Sarah Speed.

From Generation to Generation © 2022 | A Sanctified Art LLC | All Rights Reserved.

St Andrew's Church, Ottawa | A Longest Night Service (2022)

WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world. We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online at www.standrewsottawa.ca.

A Longest Night Service – A Service of Light in the Darkness

Because of the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1: 78 – 79

Prelude – A Time of Music and Quiet Reflection

Pianist: Ian MacKay

Opening Poem – Jan L

Hymn: In the Quiet Curve of the Evening

Tune: "You Are There"

Words: Julie Howard (1993)

Copyright © Juliana Howard, Liturgical Press, 1997

Used with permission under ONE LICENSE #737520-A. All rights reserved.

Words of Welcome and Territorial Acknowledgement

Gathering Prayer – Reverend Dr. Karen Dimock

Lighting of the Advent Candles – Yvette D and Laura M

We light the first candle, the candle of hope, to share our grief…

Scripture Reading: Lamentations 3: 21 – 24

We light the second candle, the candle of peace, to acknowledge our pain…

Scripture Reading: Luke 1: 78 – 79

We light the third candle, the candle of joy as we name our fears…

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 41: 8 – 10

We light the fourth candle, the candle of love, to recognize the struggles of this world…

Hymn: Day is Done

Music: Welsh Melody “Ar Hyd Y Nos” (All Through the Night)

Words: James Quinn SJ (1919-2010)

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Scripture and Meditation: Luke 2: 1 – 14

Musical Reflection – In the bleak midwinter

Pianist: Ian MacKay

Flute: Beth G

Prayers of the People

Time for reflection, prayer and the lighting of a candle

Hymn 148: It came upon the midnight clear

Tune: "Carol" Richard Storrs Willis (1819-1900)

Words: Edmund H. Sears (1810-1876), from Luke 2:8-20

Communal Sending:

We are here,

I see you and your pain,

I see you and your hope,

You are my neighbour

We belong to one another

We are not in this alone

Thanks be to God for the love that binds us

Benediction

Postlude

Pianist: Ian MacKay

Cover Image: The Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh

MoMA The Museum of Modern Art, New York City

Painted in June 1889, it depicts the view from the east-facing window of his asylum room at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (France) just before sunrise, with the addition of an imaginary village.

Opening poem and prayers adapted from "Close to Home, A Longest Night Liturgy"

by Rev. Sarah Speed 2021| A Sanctified Art LLC |sanctifiedart.org.

Candle lighting liturgy adapted from "Before the Amen" by Maren Tirabissi

December 18, 2022 – 10:30AM Fourth Sunday of Advent An Intergenerational Service for God’s Children of Every Age

Meditation: Come magnify the Lord, seeing God in each other

Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Readings

Luke 1:46-56

Mary’s Song of Praise

And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.