Second Sunday Taizé Service, Celebrating the joy of Christmas

Let us humble ourselves before the God of grace and justice

and with prayers, songs, silence and meditation

open our hearts to God's guidance and healing for such a time as this.

The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally referred to as Gaudate Sunday. “Gaudate” means “rejoice” and it is on this Sunday that we light the pink Advent candle which reminds of the joy Christ brings to the world through his self-sacrificing love. Our monthly Taizé (te-ZAY) Prayer service will be held in our sanctuary at 4:00 pm on Gaudate Sunday, December 14.

On the second Sunday of each month at 4:00 pm our congregation will host a prayer service in the worship style of the Taizé Community of Eastern France. The courage we need to do the work of Christ’s love in this broken world is found in hearts united in prayer. To open our hearts with sighs too deep for words is to allow God to live, move and have God’s being in the midst of the chaos and traumas of our daily lives. We are called to humble ourselves – putting aside our opinions and perspectives in order to seek this way of love that we are called to live. This humility, this openness to the movement of the spirit, this receptivity in prayer is where healing begins.

The Taizé Community was founded in 1940 by Brother Roger Schutz and is composed of about one hundred brothers, from both Catholic and Protestant traditions, who originate from over thirty countries around the world. The brothers share their material goods, talents and faith in ecumenical, monastic Christian Community. Prayer and silence are at the center of their life together. Worship takes place three times a day and includes meditative and sung prayer, scripture reading and silence. The singing is often in four-part harmony or in a round and is offered in many languages. The simple yet magnificent music that is repeated over and over again continues in the heart long after worship has ended. This faith community annually attracts over 100,000 pilgrims, who gather for prayer, Bible study, communal work and shared reflection.

All are welcome.

(This prayer time will be supported by the voices and instruments of musicians who are practiced in Taizé worship. If you or someone you know would like to share in this musical leadership, please leave a message in the church office (541-997-6025) and someone will be in touch about rehearsals.)

Patty Evans