At the Christmas Rock Mass we prayed for Jesus to bring light into the dark situations around the world and in our lives. I bought a couple of paper chain making kits from eBay. With suitable music playing, people wrote their prayers on the back of their links and added them to the chain. It was really powerful as our prayers joined together and we all gathered around the altar together. We all took a glow stick (or many as some of our kids saw fit) and made bracelets to symbolise the light of Christ entering into the world. Then the president brought all of the prayers together at the end and offered them before God as they were placed around the crib scene.
Last year Bishop Steve Croft sent the clergy in his diocese a Christmas Card containing his own reworked lyrics for Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing. Ali forwarded the card to us in the New Year and we’ve been looking at how we could play it at the Christmas Rock Mass with our band Metanoia. As Ruth and I have played the song in Silverthorn, it wasn’t a difficult task. We have slightly reworked his lyrics as they didn’t quite scan. We’ve also put the ending back in as it’s so perfect. We’ve used it in Worship at Wakefield Cathedral last week and Holy Nativity Last Night. It works really well!
In a lonely world, suddenly a new life stirred
The night a child was born down in Bethlehem
When the girl’s time came, there was no room at the inn
The night a child was born down in Bethlehem
A hillside on a cold dark night, the winter skies ablaze with light
Choirs of angels singing filled the skies-it went on and on and on and on
Glory, Glory, peace on earth, goodwill to all Oh, Glory, Glory in the heights, Glory, glory, sing with us the angels’ song, oh, Glory, glory in the heights!
Straight away, the shepherds came, knelt and learned the baby’s name
Wrapped and cradled in a cattle stall, in Bethlehem
Mary’s child, Son of God, helpless babe, creation’s Lord
Angel’s singing fills the skies, it goes on and on and on and on
Glory, Glory, peace on earth, goodwill to all Oh, Glory, Glory in the heights, Glory, glory, sing with us the angels’ song, oh, Glory, glory in the heights!
Don’t stop believin’, Hold on to that feelin’, God is with us, woah!
Don’t stop believin’, Hold on… God is with us, woah!
Don’t stop believin’, Hold on to that feelin’, God is with us, woah!
Don’t stop believin’, Hold on to that feelin’, God is with us, woah!
Don’t stop believin’, God is with us,
Don’t Stop!
Next month’s Rock Mass is “Rock Mass Unplugged” in the park with a BBQ. Jonnie Parkin from Luminous has helped us out by cutting a labyrinth into the church park.
A few of us who are involved in Sacramental Alt Worship/Emerging Church/Fresh Expressions in the UK have been talking and we think that there is a need for a space for us to cross pollinate and dream dreams. Wherever you come from and whatever you are hoping to see develop in the future, Sanctum could be the place for you to explore missional worship from a sacramental tradition. There will be several practitioners involved including Sue and Malcolm Wallace from Transcendence, Eddie and Sarah Green, Ruth Sutherland and me from Metanoia and the Rock Mass and others.
The accommodation and facilities we’re using are at the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield. Wworship will be in the newly reordered lower church with it’s great tech spec. Full board is £104 which is not bad for a noisy retreat. Spaces are limited so please get in touch ASAP to book.
If you want to dream dreams with us, please get in touch!
