BLYTHSWOOD SHOEBOXES
This year we sent 107 to the Blythswood Shoebox appeal. They will be on their way to Kosovo for Christmas. Filled with small, practical items such as toiletries, stationery, and clothing, the individually-wrapped boxes will be distributed in schools, hospitals, orphanages and care homes, and to households in very low income communities.
Each one different, each one personal, each one an expression of your care and kindness towards a stranger in need.
GIVE HOPE
Gift-giving God,
may Advent be for us a time of giving and receiving.
Heavenly God, you speak to us through messengers, words and deeds,
the rhythm, the beat of your gift never ceases, never stops or falters or fails.
Your gift is for life, not limited by time or space.
Gift-giving God,
may Advent be for us a time of giving and receiving.
Heavenly God, you challenge us to be the heartbeat of love to our community.
You challenge and call us to be a constant power for good.
You inspire us to be the bringers of good news.
Gift-giving God,
may Advent be for us a time of giving and receiving.
Heavenly God, may we be up to the challenges you set before us.
May we give you time in our busy days, in our list making and our shopping, so that we are buzzing with your Spirit as your gift to all we meet.
Gift-giving God,
may Advent be for us a time of giving and receiving.
Taken from the Methodist Church Liturgy for Advent 3