Year: 2022

11th day of Christmas

PONDER: THE BRIGHT MORNING STAR!

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near—a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel… Numbers 24:17

We weren’t, you know, just wishing on a star when we laid the facts out before you regarding the powerful return of our Master, Jesus Christ. We were there for the preview! We saw it with our own eyes: Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father as the voice of Majestic Glory spoke: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of all my delight.” We were there on the holy mountain with him. We heard the voice out of heaven with our very own ears.
We couldn’t be more sure of what we saw and heard—God’s glory, God’s voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You’ll do well to keep focusing on it. It’s the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts.
2 Peter 1:16-19 MSG

“Here’s the reward I have for every conqueror, everyone who keeps at it, refusing to give up: You’ll rule the nations, your Shepherd-King rule as firm as an iron staff, their resistance fragile as clay pots. This was the gift my Father gave me; I pass it along to you—and with it, the Morning Star! Revelation 2:26-28 MSG

“I, Jesus, sent my Angel to testify to these things for the churches. I’m the Root and Branch of David, the Bright Morning Star.”
“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride. Whoever hears, echo, “Come!”
Is anyone thirsty? Come! All who will, come and drink,
Drink freely of the Water of Life! Revelation 22:16-17 MSG

  • What words or phrases stand out to you (what is the Spirit highlighting to you)? Why do you think this is?
  • How does living in God’s Light affect you? (Consider its influence in these verses.)
  • What might God be saying to you? To your neighbours?
  • How might the Spirit be nudging you to respond?

You might want to journal your responses.

PRAYER PROMPTS

Let the Star of Morning Rise

Lord God
In the deepest night
There rises the star of morning,
Of birth,
The herald of a new day you are making,
A day of great joy dawning
In yet faint shafts
Of light and love.
I hear whispers of peace in the stillness,
Fresh breezes of promise
Stirring,
Winter sparrows
Chirping of life,
A baby’s cry
Of need,
And hope–
Christmas!
In the darkness I see the light
And find in it comfort,
Confidence,
Cause for celebration,
For the darkness cannot overcome it;
And I rejoice to nourish it
In myself
In other people,
In the world
For the sake of him
In whom it was born
And shines forever,
Even Jesus the Christ.
Ted Loder, Guerillas of Grace

PRACTICE: CREATION CARE

Reflect over the last month. How have you been doing at loving all that God has made?

Continue to demonstrate your respect and care for the natural world… recycle, compost, reuse/recreate, and strive to reduce your energy consumption, plastic use and carbon footprint.

 

10th day of Christmas

PONDER: We are the Light of the World

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5.14-16

Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3

… it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:13-16a

  • What words or phrases stand out to you (what is the Spirit highlighting to you)? Why do you think this is?
  • How does living in God’s Light affect you? (Consider its influence in these verses.)
  • What might God be saying to you? To your neighbours?
  • How might the Spirit be nudging you to respond?

You might want to journal your responses.

PRAYER PROMPTS

Arise, shine inheritors of God’s light,
Bearers of Christ’s light in our darkened world,
The light of God has come into our world,
nations will come to its brightness!
Arise shine, in Christ, God’s light has been revealed to all people,
God’s glory has been unveiled in all the earth.
We come to see, we come to follow,
We come that we might go and tell,
Sharing God’s light with our neighbours.
Indeed, the light of God has come into our world
To shine God’s justice and love
To overcome the darkness and bring new life.
Christ our king has redeemed the world
He draws us into a loving family
From every people group, nation, and culture.
The Spirit has equipped us to be like Jesus
To love our neighbours as ourselves
To bear witness to the Light: God’s good news right where we live –and to the ends of the earth!
Triune One, we seek Your presence, grace and power–
Be our Light that we might seek, follow and share…
Your hope in times of despair,
Your love in places of hate,
Your truth in a world of deception,
Your light in the midst of darkness.
Faithful One, we need You:
In times of uncertainty, may we be assured of your faithfulness,
In places of desolation, be our consolation,
In a world broken and bound up, heal, hold, make new, shine in all our dark places
With Your glory, grace and truth,
Love embodied and embedded,
May we trust in You and
Participate by Your Spirit in the redemption of all things.
Come Lord Jesus, be our Light and our salvation. Amen.
Adapted from/inspired by Epiphany Prayer and Litany – Godspacelight

You might also want to light a candle (since we are reflecting [no pun intended] on light) and pray…

  • Jesus, fill me with Your light that I/we might be light right where you have sent me…. (name people and places)
  • Forgive me for hiding or neglecting to share Your light in me… (confess specific instances)
  • Help us to be, all that you have already called and made us to be, as those who know You are the True Light that enlightens everyone. Amen.

PRACTICE: ENCOURAGEMENT

  • What/who has encouraged you throughout this season?
  • How have you encouraged others?

This week write some notes of gratitude and encouragement to those whom you have felt encouraged/blessed by this season… a simple sincere note – whether it’s email or snail mail can make a huge difference!

9th day of Christmas

PONDER: JESUS is the Light of the World

The people who are now living in darkness have seen a great light. They are now living in a very dark land. But a light has shined on them. Matthew 4:16 (quoting Isaiah 9:1, 2)

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. John 3:19-20

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5

They said the Messiah would suffer. He would be the first to rise from the dead. He would bring the message of God’s light. He would bring it to his own people and to the Gentiles. Acts 26:23 (Luke likely referencing Isaiah 53:11.)

Let the person who walks in the dark, trust in the Lord. Let the one who doesn’t have any light to guide them depend on their God. Isaiah 50:10

  • What words or phrases stand out to you (what is the Spirit highlighting to you)? Why do you think this is?
  • How would you describe God’s grace and truth? How have experienced it?
  • What might God be saying to you? To your neighbours?
  • How might the Spirit be nudging you to respond?

You might want to journal your responses.

PRAYER PROMPTS

O Lord, you are the Word,
spoken from eternity by the Father.
You came to dwell among us
and to lead us with you
to your Father’s house.

You are the Son,
born from eternity of the Father.
You were born among us
to make us your brothers and sisters,
sons and daughters of your Father.

You are the Light,
shining forth from eternity
from the God of Light.
You entered into our darkness
to enlighten us with divine light.

Henri Nouwen

In the 12th Century, Bernard of Clairvaux, who was the founder of the Cistercian order of monks, said that Christ comes to us in three different ways:

  • firstly, in Bethlehem at Christmas;
  • secondly, at the end of the age;
  • and thirdly, in the lives of believers every single day.

So, let us pray for all three of Christ’s comings in this final week of this series.

PRACTICE: GENEROSITY

  • How has your paying attention to and appreciating signs of God’s grace and generosity been going?
  • What do you notice?
  • What are you learning?
  • What might God be up to?
  • Continue to add to your ‘inventory’ each day this week.
    Perhaps signs of God’s light and glory will also spark your gratitude for God’s grace and generosity.

2 January 22

welcome

Welcome to a brand new year. 365 possibilities to walk in the Jesus way.

God calls us into his presence
calls us to be together
calls to wait with and for him
calls us to serve & bless others – those who are part of God’s kingdom and those who have not yet responded to God’s grace

OCC is meeting on-line – that’s right here;
we are also meeting Sunday morning in-person @ 10:ooam.
OCCKids: K to Grade 5, Grade 5-8.
Our nursery space is also available.

As we gather in-person, we remind you of a few details

  • You still need to register… the link is available each week on the home page or you call OCC (705.329.2139)
  • We need to maintain distancing in our building.
  • We need to wear a face-covering in our building.
  • At this point, we cannot serve refreshments, but you are welcome to bring your own coffee/tea/water. For the comfort of others, please do not remove your face-covering until you are in your seat.

As you prepare to watch our service video, we encourage you to take a few moments…

  • get your coffee or tea, settle in, be still…
  • take 2 or 3 deep breaths… in and out… breathe,
  • invite the Lord to make himself present with you as you watch – he is with you – it’s just that often we are not aware that he is.
    teaching

Here is the service for Sunday, 2 January 2022 updated to include Emily.

Spiritual Practices

Don’t forget to download (and begin to read) the New Testament reading plan.

LIFEGroups

Online LIFEGroups will be starting up again soon.

 

8th day of Christnas

The Christ Candle

We give thanks for the light of hope—unrelenting and inexplicable.
Our hope in Christ shines on.
We give thanks for the light of peace—strong and unafraid.
The peace of Christ lights our way.
We give thanks for the light of joy—persistent and unpredictable.
The joy of Christ strengthens our lives.
We give thanks for the light of love—burning bright and holy.
The love of Christ comforts and endures.
We light the Christ candle to affirm and declare that God is with us, Christ is Lord and He is coming again for the redemption of all things.
Thank you, God, for your light in this world through Jesus Christ;
The light that shines in the darkness; Your glory, full of grace and truth. Amen.

PONDER: GOD’S LIGHT FOR US

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:1-3

God has set me free. He has kept me from going down into the darkness of the grave. So I’ll live to enjoy the light of life. Job 33:28

Lord, you keep the lamp of my life burning brightly. You are my God. You bring light into my darkness. Psalm 18:28

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1

O, send out your light and your truth; let them lead me… Psalm 43:3a

Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7, 12.

  • What words or phrases stand out to you (what is the Spirit highlighting to you)? Why do you think this is?
  • How does living in God’s Light affect you? (Consider its influence in these verses.)
  • What might God be saying to you? To your neighbours?
  • How might the Spirit be nudging you to respond?

You might want to journal your responses.

PRAYER PROMPTS

A prayer in song: Shining Light Rend Collective

Roman candles that burn in the night,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
You lit a torch in the infinite,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
Yeah, you light up my life.

You have always been a thorn in their side,
But to me you’re a shining light.
You arrive and the night is alive,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
Yeah, you light up my life.

We made a connection,
A full on chemical reaction,
Brought by dark divine intervention,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
A constellation once seen,
Over Royal David’s city,
An epiphany you burn so pretty,
Yeah, you are a shining light.

You are a force
You are a constant source,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
Incandescent in the darkest night,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
My mortal blood I would sacrifice,
For you are a shining light.
Sovereign bride of the infinite,
Yeah, you are a shining light,
Yeah, you light up my life.

We made a connection,
A full on chemical reaction,
Brought by dark divine intervention,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
A constellation once seen,
Over Royal David’s city,
An epiphany you burn so pretty,
Yeah, you are a shining light.

These are the days you often say
There’s nothing that we cannot do,
Beneath a canopy of stars
I’d shed blood for you.
The north star in the firmament,
You shine the most bright.
I’ve seen you draped in an electric veil
Shrouded in celestial light.

We made a connection,
A full on chemical reaction,
Brought by dark divine intervention,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
A constellation once seen,
Over Royal David’s city,
An epiphany you burn so pretty,
Yeah, you are a shining light,
Yeah, you light up my life.
Yeah you are a shining light
Yeah you light up my life

PRACTICE: ABIDING IN CHRIST

Listen to, ponder and sing a Christmas/Epiphany song throughout the day —

  • Sing it with, for and over your neighbourhood—
  • Allow the song to dwell in your mind and keep your heart attentive to Christ abiding in you and you in Christ, God is with us, Emmanuel, here and now, come Lord Jesus!

Pause and ponder nativity scenes, Christmas decorations as in previous weeks. This time…

  • Pay attention especially to the way the magi are portrayed…
  • Focus on those that speak to you of our Twelve Days of Christmas themes.
  • How do the depictions make you feel? What do you appreciate? What do you wonder about?
  • Talk with others (family, neighbours) and the Lord about it.
  • How might you envision, look for, carry with you, and share these themes today?

Pause and ponder seasonal art, nativity scenes, Christmas decorations…

  • You may want to focus particularly on a piece of art that communicates to you the themes of light, grace and truth, glory, stars, magi.
  • How do the depictions make you feel? What do you appreciate? What do you wonder about?
  • Talk with others (family, neighbours) and the Lord about it.
  • How might you envision, carry with you, and share the gifts of Christmas today?

spiritual practices – reading scripture

Spiritual Growth happens because of the work of the Spirit and our entering into spiritual practices. The following reading plan will take you through the New Testament by early May.

  • This plan does not have readings scheduled for Saturday & Sunday – this gives you an opportunity to catch up if you missed a day or 2.
  • I find it works best having a specific time each day to read. Mornings are great, but feel free to use any time that works consistently for you.
  • Read the Bible for the sake of learning, not simply to accomplish the day’s reading. Invite God to give you wisdom and understanding as you read.

You can download the plan: NT chronological reading

Or pick you a printed copy at OCC.

7th day of Christmas

PONDER: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

From the Beginning to the End, the Triune One brings, bears and embodies Light: When God made the world, He said “Let there be light!” Genesis 1:3, 14-17; Psalm 136:7

God, you shine like a very bright light. You are more majestic than mountains full of wild animals. Psalm 76:4

Every good thing given, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-6

He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15b-16

You will not need the light of the sun by day anymore. The bright light of the moon will no longer have to shine on you. I will be your light forever. My glory will shine on you. I am the Lord your God. Isaiah 60:19

They will see his face. His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun. The Lord God will give them light. They will rule for ever and ever. Revelation 22:4-6

  • What words or phrases stand out to you (what is the Spirit highlighting to you)? Why do you think this is?
  • What does it mean to you that God is light?
  • How do you experience and dwell in the light of God?
  • What might God be saying to you? To your neighbours?
  • How might the Spirit be nudging you to respond?

You might want to journal your responses.

PRAYER PROMPTS

Circle us, Lord
With the Light of Your Presence
Circle our neighbourhood with your grace and favour.
Circle this place, these people
In Your Light
that You Creator- Spirit- Son might
Keep calm within and chaos without
Reveal the good and true and, disperse the darkness
Ignite wisdom and, put out foolishness
Give patience and take away worry
Restore health and freedom and demolish covid and fear
Bring harmony and wholeness and dispel discord and divisiveness
Shine Your grace and mercy and dethrone the night
Your Light within and without
Circle us Lord of Light.

PRACTICE: SERVING WITH

Today as you celebrate with whatever small group of family or friends, thankful for a New Year, an opportunity for new beginnings, new mercies every morning and new ways to discover and join the Spirit on God’s mission in our neighbourhoods…

  • Think again about your interests, gifts, talents and skills, experiences and passions… how might the Spirit be inviting you to serve with your neighbours in your ‘sweet spot’?
  • Jot down a few ideas, explore some options… if possible, try one out today or tomorrow!
  • As you gather with family, friends, neighbours serve one another in love.
    Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10