As Andrew has taken on the role of Student Council President at Westdale Secondary, he has learned a lot about leadership. We talk often about our use of influence. I love his vision to create a positive culture where everyone is included. He is an idealist and finds reality sometimes disappointing. But he keeps giving and serving and looking for ways to enhance academics with fun memory-making events.
When I was homeschooling and directing, I found this quote clarifying:
“You are a guardian of the human spirit. You have the power to manipulate and coerce if you want to. You can avoid and ignore if you choose, but you can also ennoble and inspire. You can lift up and appeal to all that is good and honourable and holy. You can remind fallible and finite people around you that they hold their lives and calling as a sacred trust; that their best efforts matter, that their worst failures will one day be redeemed.”
John Ortberg
Let's be the kind of leaders that call out the best in others and remind people that they are full of promise, possibility and purpose!
When I was homeschooling and directing, I found this quote clarifying:
“You are a guardian of the human spirit. You have the power to manipulate and coerce if you want to. You can avoid and ignore if you choose, but you can also ennoble and inspire. You can lift up and appeal to all that is good and honourable and holy. You can remind fallible and finite people around you that they hold their lives and calling as a sacred trust; that their best efforts matter, that their worst failures will one day be redeemed.”
John Ortberg
Let's be the kind of leaders that call out the best in others and remind people that they are full of promise, possibility and purpose!
Reader: Today we light the Joy candle. We open our hearts to receive the gift of joy in Christ. Jesus partnered with God in Creation and then stepped into the world He made to bring heaven here. The angels sang of this good news of great joy that is for all of us!
(Light Candle)
Cynicism is easy.
Yet we long for laughter
A reason to rejoice that reaches into the deepest parts of us.
Joy to the world, the Lord has come to bring heaven down
The angels proclaimed it good news of great joy
Our Maker stooped down to be with us
Good news for all people
The beautiful hodgepodge of humanity invited to be restored
To God’s vision for each of us.
For us, the infinite became an infant
To be known, to offer meaning, purpose, eternal life
An infant to make us smile and peel back our armour
To open our hearts to the joyful invitation to wonder and new life.
Rejoice in the restoration
Jesus came to bring abundant life
Come near and let Him restore, awaken and make new.
Today we light the Peace candle. The Prince of Peace invites us to enjoy stillness. “Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the waves: “Peace! Be still.” The wind died down and was completely calm.” Thank you, Jesus, for entering the storms of life with us and bringing peace there.
Peace Poem:
In a world full of noise and conflict and sorrow.
Life vibrates with sound and motion
Thoughts fly in chasing others out
Multi-tasking, managing schedules, juggling responsibilities
Needs cry out to be met
Storms blow in knocking us flat -
Jesus beckons
“Peace
Be still
Peace I give to you
A gift to nurture a transformation
Rooting you in restoration
Jesus invites
Let peace grow within you
and then let it out to the world so in need of reconciliation.
Let me create peace in you beyond your understanding
that you can hold the light of the Prince of Peace
to shelter your heart and shine on the path of all those around you.
~ Peg Wright 2022
Reader 1:
Today we light the hope candle. How our world needs hope.
Jesus, a light to shine in the darkness.
God, come to be with us
Song: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Spoken Word Poem written to share in Worship:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Through him all things were made. In him was life and that life was the light of all humankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Oh, the dark feels heavy sometimes
The shadows sit on our shoulders like a weight of grief, cynicism, fear.
But beyond the clouds the sun beckons us to its warmth
Memories of sunrise and radiant beams on our face
Son of God, love’s pure light. Radiant beams from your holy face.
A dawn of redeeming grace,
Possibilities break in
Life wins
Jesus
A tiny heartbeat of God so near
Pulsing with radiant hope
Breaking into the ordinary
To transform these moments into grace
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Jesus.
I was reminded this morning how vital it is to know we are seen, heard, known and loved! I love the bible story of the lamb that was missed, sought and found by the shepherd! It is lovely to remember that the One who made us is always aware of our needs and steps in before we even know how to ask.
As a young teen struggling with trauma, I'd go out into the woods and feel a peace and calm settle over me as I recognized God's care and understanding even though I didn't even know what I needed. I knew I wasn't alone in the best possible way - not the creepy way.
Whatever this day is like for you, take a second to breathe deeply and know that you are seen, known and loved!
