source: BBC news
News from St Andrew’s Scots Kirk, Columbo
Lakshmi writes,
On the church property a small tree had fallen. Except for two people in our congregation who had water coming into their basement apartment car park (in the outskirts of Colombo), the rest are safe.
The worst hit areas are in the central Province. Landslides continue. Many are displaced and so far nearly 300 have died. Since yesterday, the sluice gates of the dams have been opened and areas about 6-8 km away from Colombo are getting flooded. India has sent a rescue mission team and provided helicopters to help with this tragedy.
In spite of all that is taking place around us, there was some sunshine yesterday and we managed to have two services at SASK – the St Andrew’s Day service in the morning and the Carol service in the evening. Thank God the weather kept fine. Over 100 people turned up for both services.
Prayer of Intercession for the Advent Season
(inspired by Isaiah 35)
In patience and in hope,
let us offer our prayers to God,
saying with one voice,
We rejoice with joy and singing
For the coming of the LORD is near.
For all who walk in God’s Holy Way:
those in the pews and in the pulpits;
those at home and on the streets;
for all who ponder God’s promise in their hearts,
and all who carry the good news into the world,
We rejoice with joy and singing
For the coming of the LORD is near.
For the nations and their leaders:
that eyes may be opened and ears unstopped,
and that peace and justice break forth in every land.
We rejoice with joy and singing
For the coming of the LORD is near.
For all the world: heaven and earth,
the seas, and all that is in them.
For the early and the late rains,
and the precious crop from the earth.
For the gathering darkness and the light of hope.
We rejoice with joy and singing
For the coming of the LORD is near.
For this community and all who live in it,
each member of the whole body:
friend and stranger, parent and child,
brother and sister, widow and orphan.
Strengthen weak hands, dear God,
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong, do not fear!
We rejoice with joy and singing
For the coming of the LORD is near.
For all who are nearest to you, O God:
the lonely, the out-of-work,
the sick, the fearful, the cold, and the hungry.
For the one who is sorry, and the one who is ashamed.
It is you, our God of hope, who sets all prisoners free.
We rejoice with joy and singing
For the coming of the LORD is near.
For all the departed, and all who remember,
We rejoice with joy and singing
For the coming of the LORD is near.
We are waiting, O God, with all the patience we can muster.
Beloved of angels and archangels,
Lover of saints and sinners,
God our Savior, to you alone we pray,
Amen.
~ written by Margaret D. McGee, and posted on re:Worship