Almost Advent...

Soon we will start the holy and joyful season of Advent. This is a time of excitement as we focus our gaze on Jesus who was born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, who is present with us now and who will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
For us at St John's this is an opportune moment to reflect on the Christian Hope that Advent so eloquently speaks about. This is so as we lay to rest our brother William. As we mourn his passing and surround his family with our love and prayers we commend his soul to God as we keep vigil tonight and as we celebrate his Requiem Mass tomorrow. We also pray for Trevor a relative of a member of our congregation who passed away suddenly yesterday. We pray for all who mourn that as we turn our gaze on Christ who will come again in glory our hearts will be filled with Hope.

Father in heaven,

our hearts desire the warmth of your love

and our minds are searching for the light of your Word.

Increase our longing for Christ our Saviour

and give us the strength to grow in love,

that the dawn of his coming

may find us rejoicing in his presence

and welcoming the light of his truth.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.