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| For ideas on using this liturgy, click
here
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| Opening Responses | |
| Reader 1 | We gather, God of the changing seasons, as the year turns to deepening darkness. Winds blow wild, ice binds hard and fast; Fog swirls over frost-brittle grass; Stems of summer's glory await the blanketing and burdening of snow-fall. |
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| Reader 2 | Hearts grown hard, souls grown stiff with
cold Minds burdened by worry, spirits buffeted by storm of change Mists clouding our view of a world created wondrous |
| ALL | KING OF WINTER, REDEEM OUR WINTRINESS |
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| Reader 1 | Star-spangled snow reflects lustrous
moonlight; Clarity of star-light pierces black velvet skies; Sunlight - weak yet undefeated - rests on limpid waters; On crystal cobwebs and sherbet-traced leaves; Seeds sleeping - awaiting the wakening touch of spring. |
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| Reader 2 | Hearts melting, souls unfolding to warmth and
radiance; Thoughts piercing mists and confusion; Spirits resilient, braving elemental forces; Seeds of hope warmed into wakefulness |
| ALL | KING OF WINTER, REDEEM OUR WINTRINESS |
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| Scripture Reading see Ideas for using the liturgy | |
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| Closing Responses | |
| Reader | When darkness gathers and greyness is its inheritance the world waits - but does not know what it is waiting for |
| ALL | THE WORLD WAITS IN DARKNESS FOR THE ONE WHO BRINGS LIGHT |
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| Reader | When frost freezes the blood and life’s breath becomes cold mist in still air the world waits but does not know what it is waiting for |
| ALL | THE WORLD WAITS IN COLDNESS IN BLEAKNESS FOR THE ONE WHOSE TOUCH BRINGS WARMTH |
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| Reader | A world sleeping - shrouded in mist |
| ALL | SHROUDED IN SNOW |
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| Reader | Brown branches stand against grey skies |
| ALL | DARK GREEN LEAVES STAND THE TEST OF THE SEASON |
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| Reader | Where are the seeds? |
| ALL | WHERE THE SOFT GREEN LEAVES OF SPRINGTIME? |
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| Reader | The world waits -
but does not know what it is waiting for |
| ALL | IT WAITS FOR THE ONE WHO BRINGS LIFE |
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| Reader | Lord, the darkness is upon us the longest night is here - we are waiting - we are waiting |
| ALL | WE ARE WAITING FOR THE COMING OF THE ONE WHO IS OUR SAVIOUR: |
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| Reader | The Lord of Spring-time and awakening to wonder |
| ALL | THE LORD OF SUMMERTIME AND THE RICHNESS OF FULFILMENT |
| Reader | The Lord of Autumn - of harvest and of gathering |
| ALL | THE LORD OF WINTER - OF RESTING - AWAITING RE-BIRTH |
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| Reader | We await Your coming Lord |
| ALL | THE LORD OF ALL SEASONS THE LORD OF ALL LIFE. MARANATHA - COME, LORD JESUS. © 2003 Wellspring
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