QFC on Sunday the 15th of November.
Welcome and Peace
All are invited. Whether you consider yourself a close friend of Jesus, or are just a wee bit curious we meet in his name and share his peace.
We meet in Peace and make peace through meeting.
We collect our thoughts together
O Lord,
forgive the transgressions of your people:
and by your goodness release us from the snare of sin,
in which, by our frailty, we have been caught;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
Reading from the book
This will be in the form of a story. Told live it contains the tellers interpretation of the text. Spoken with prayerful reflection, and shaped by the context we gather in. The source text can be read here: Matthew 25:14-30
Reading From Creation
Frustration.
At this time of year the trees are shutting down, drawing themselves back into their trunks and letting go of their leaves. Why go to the effort of producing all those fragile, broad expanses! Is it not wasteful to scatter months of growth on the ground?
- Take a while to wander and wonder about the inefficiency in all you can see
- Would anything be missing in a more efficient system?
Harvest has passed, only a few berries remain on the bramble bushes. What sort of harvest to you imagine God might like?
- What do you use to measure spiritual success?
- Are there different rules for personal, community, or public measures of growth?
- What are the important check points – moments when you can take a measure of where you are at – Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Lifetime?
Who enjoys the feeling of frustration! but if we learn to pass through it we both become whole and flourish in the places we find ourselves.
Gathering
It is likely to be cold. Everyone responds to this differently, and sometimes our instincts can make matter worse! However, perhaps, (if we remain aware of respecting other people) it could be fun to think about how mammals stay warm in the wild.
Imagine you are one of them, become aware of your senses. Stomp your feet, smell the air, move towards any others that sound like you do. Become aware of your senses, and your instincts.
Perhaps this could become a dance. If you are less able to leap, then move your arms. If you are holding a stick, can it become a neck? Feel free to change animals!
Blessing
‘Where man sees but withered leaves,
(Albert Laighton) “Under the Leaves”
God sees sweet flowers growing.’
(together, please join in if you are able)
This is the God of the Good News,
A God of love, of healing and power.
All: Above us
This is the God of the Good News,
A God who loves us with a parent’s love.
All: In us
This is the God of the Good News,
A God who laughs as we laugh,
All: Around us
This is the God of the Good News,
A God who suffers as we suffer.
All: With us
This is the God of the Good News,
A God who brings light into dark places.
All: About us
This is the God of the Good News,
A God who brings warmth into hearts that are chilled.
All: Through us
This is the God of the Good News,
A God who sees within us the potential of Spring.
All: Let it be so
Inspired by Praying through the Celtic year and Lorica prayers
Refreshment
We will probably end up at the Central cafe! But as always we listen to all who have gathered and then decide.