Advent Time-Out

As we step into this first week in December 2024….and reflect on God’s walk with us…in this season of Advent

At Liberton Kirk we usually set aside a Tuesday each week and provide a place with space – the UPPER ROOM – a place for time-out in our busy days above the Kirkgate Cafe. This is a safe place for you to be.

The Upper Room will be open this Tuesday once more – and you are encouraged to take time-out with God…..to find a quiet place with space at this busy time of year…..7.30am-7.00pm……with opportunities to pray with others at 8am… Midday and 7pm….

* A space for you to be still in your busy needy world
** To pause and pray with God at this time – the God of all comfort, wisdom, mercy and hope.
* To listen to God – Father Son and Holy Spirit – in these times

You are invited to visit the Kirk building this Saturday afternoon when it will be open 1-3pm….a place with space to be quiet.

You are also encouraged to visit the Offering House – beside the gates – 8am-5pm each day – where you can find more information and helpful leaflets and booklets about our faith and our Kirk. There is also a Prayer Request Box situated here for you to leave your own personal requests – our Prayer Team will prayerfully support those you name. Have you walked prayerfully around the Kirk building following the Word for Today from Luke chapter 18 helpful words for this month? As you do…pray for the building, inside and outside… The COVID-19 memorial is now in place, beside the Cairn, and you may want to visit and pause there.

You are also encouraged to use the bench at the top left of the Kirkyard (under the large tree – weather permitting!) to pause and pray – to be still with God – to ask, seek, knock, wait and receive.

The Daily Devotions have been taking us to a daily time of considering God’s Good News with God’s written Word – and you may want to pause to pray with others at the start of each day as we consider the truths behind the words of this part of the Bible. During December our focus will be on the Advent theme – come Lord Jesus!. This is available on the Kirk website blog and our social media pages on Facebook and Twitter from 7am- and in the church magazine.

And – don’t forget the brief Sunday morning Reflection at 8am…….and the Thy Kingdom Come global prayer venture daily reflections on our YouTube channel….from members of our Church Family providing a Sunday reflection over the 11 days period. This year the venture ran 9-19 May. Will you still be praying for 5??

May we each and all experience time-out with the Living and True God – whenever – wherever – as we continue to journey through December 2024.

Daily Devotions for Saturday 30th November, 2024

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from God, the Holy Spirit

Reading : JONAH chapter 4
Meditation : take time and consider all that is said here.
Jonah’s anger
God’s mercy

And then take time to Pray in response to this God, our God
Giving thanks for His abundant mercy
Praying for those struggling to believe and obey

O LORD our God
Hear our cries this morning
Amen we pray together this new day.

Midday
Pray the Lord’s Prayer as your own midday prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your kingdom come
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
Now and for ever
Amen

Evening
Reading : read the verses again from JONAH chapter 4
Reflect on the truths behind the words…. and then Pray in response to what you have read
For yourself and for others
As this month closes and we step into December together with God

Examine me, O God, and know my mind;
test me, and discover my thoughts.
Find out if there is any evil in me
and guide me in the everlasting way

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Saturday Evening Prayer with Others

As we step into Sunday….. with God – together – you may want to revisit today’s Daily Devotions from AMOS chapter 5 – as we continue to pause in the Old Testament….

We PAUSE with the Lord in prayer as the day closes….

We REJOICE in the help and blessings He has given this particular Saturday – to us and to others

We ASK for His presence, peace and strength – for ourselves and for others in our church family and our nation and in our world at this time – especially prayerfully supporting the people of Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, Russia, Yemen and other parts of our world in deep need at this time

We YIELD – say Yes – to His Kingdom ways for tomorrow