Day 271 | Tuesday, 15 December 2020

Day 271 - Audio Version

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Day 271 | Tuesday, 15 December 2020

 This was one week ago.
I want to give you the COVID-19 update for the County.  As of 4:30pm December 7, 2020 the total cases in the county have reached 2,036 with 522 in zip 14701, 393 in Dunkirk, 355 in Fredonia and 58 in Lakewood.  The numbers in the country as of Monday are at nearly 15 million cases with nearly 283,000 deaths.  The numbers seem to be setting new records daily.

This was Monday
I want to give you the COVID-19 update for the County.  As of 4:30 pm December 14, 2020 the total cases in the county have reached 2,477 with 630 in zip 14701, 421 in Dunkirk, 399 in Fredonia, 88 in Lakewood with 23 deaths. The numbers in the country as of Monday are at nearly 16.5million cases with over 300,000 deaths.

 More Advent –
“A path to our God, winding through the ordinary, weaving through the busyness, overcoming roadblocks and detours.  A way to go home, leaving the past in the past, moving from darkness and exile, coming into the light.  Advent is a path to our God, a way to come home, a discovery of God's voice: Rejoice, rejoice. God is with us!”

 An Advent Prayer of Invocation:
“We come to praise you, O Lord, and to think again about your love for the world as revealed in your gift of our Lord Jesus Christ. Open our spiritual eyes that we may see, and understand as best we can, the fuller meaning of the coming of the Savior for us all. In his name. Amen.”

 An Advent Prayer of Confession
“Where is your voice, O God? Our ears are bombarded with constant commercial messages served up with cute jingles. Television, radio and computers tell us repeatedly to buy this or buy that and fulfill our needs. Oh, where is your Word, loving Lord, who grants us abundant life?

Where are the John the Baptists? Do we listen to modern prophets who challenge us to care for the poor, provide jobs for minority youth, live more sim-ply, treat the foreigner with justice?

Where is the silence deep enough that we can listen for your words of healing and courage? Help us, O God, to create a space of stillness like beside still waters and green pastures. Help us, Divine Friend, to persevere in kindness and never give up hope. Your love has never failed us yet, and you are speaking to us even now. Help us hear you in these Advent days. Amen”

 An Advent Prayer:
“Come Savior, robed in light, that we may find the paths you have prepared for us.  By your radiant presence, reassure us of your love and protect us from poisonous cynicism and despair.  Take away our faithless fears about the future.  Secure our hearts in the knowledge that your hand will not lead us where your love cannot support us.  Free us from the worldly anxieties that drive us to fight for power and control.  Open the eyes of our hearts to perceive the wonder of your holy presence among us, that we may fulfill our days in trust and hope.  Let the hope within us so shine that we become beacons of safety and help to those who have lost their way.  In the name of Jesus, to the glory of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen”
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 An Advent Blessing
“May the rough places in your life be made smooth.  May the valleys of despair be filled with comfort.  May the door to your heart be wide open.  May the glory of Immanuel be with you all your days.”