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TODAY  on Heatherside:
10.30 a.m.   Heatherside Parish Church will celebrate the second Sunday of Advent.

This will be a cafe-style service withsomething for everyone. Why not join us in the Community Centre ?

 
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The Jesse Tree 

Have you ever made a Jesse Tree?

Do you even know what a Jesse tree is?

The website Why Christmas?  explains that the tradition started many years ago as a way of helping the many illiterate believers learn more about the Christmas story: the birth of Jesus and its importance.

The name comes from Jesse, the father of King David and is linked with Isaiah's prophecy:

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'A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD -- and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;  but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. 
 

Isaiah 11:1-4 (NIV)

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For each day of Advent (or as many as you like) an ornament is added to the tree.

Each ornament is related to a Bible story or concept and the story is read before the ornament is added to the tree. So, for example, in the set below from katiepawlak:

The Apple and the Serpent represents Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:13), the Whale signifies Jonah (Jonah 1:15-17), Noah's ark is there as is Joseph's coat of many colours along with the Passover Lamb and the Ten Commandments. So all that preparation of the people of Israel to receive the Son of God as a baby is acknowledged and remembered and God's purpose is held at the centre of the preparations for the festivities.

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Wherever text is underlined above you can follow the link to look at the website mentioned. 

Click on the image to the right of this text to download a pdf file of paper decorations to make for yourself.

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When I hear the sound of voices praising your name:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

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When I see compassion and kindness at work in the world:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

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When I sense your presence in the outworking of the day:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

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When you help me to keep going, though I want to give up:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

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When I glimpse your creativity in the wonder of the world:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

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When moments of holiness shine like diamonds in the dark:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

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When I remind myself of your goodness and your care for us:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

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When I look at the vast night sky, and realise you know my name: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

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When I revisit the child, placed in that manger:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

 

Dave Hopwood  Engage Worship

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