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Abundance and Excess: the power of smellWelcomeGod of the sweet smell of fresh dug earthGod of the ocean breeze, fresh in the morning God of the honeysuckle rampant in the hedgerow crawling God of the fragrance of food and flowers God of odours strange and mysterious God of frankincense God of myrrh Christ who was born into this world of smells and odours: Embrace us in the fragrance of your love Shroud us in the incense of your grace WordSmell indicates both poverty and wealth. Poor people have always lived in the smelliest, dirtiest places. This is why East London has traditionally been the poor part of London; polluting industries were located here and the prevailing west winds would blow the smells of the city over the East End. On the other hand perfumery is a multimillion pound industry and it sells itself as a luxury product which summons up images of refinement and excess. But when is the use of perfume excessive – and when is it an abundant celebration? Jesus Anointed at BethanyJohn 12Reflection on abundance and excess this ChristmasPrayers for the worldConfessionWe confess that our lives often don’t smell too goodWe try to hide it with artificial perfumes We try to ignore the rank smell of excess and selfishness But if we are honest we know that all too often our lives do not smell sweetly of your love and grace We pollute your planet because of our greed We marginalise the poor into the noxious corners of the earth we would prefer to forget We selfishly pursue our own gain We fail to consider the impact of our lives upon others But now we come to you in humble trust We desire to be smothered in the fragrance of your Spirit We desire to participate in the sweet savour of Christ Cleanse us we pray, O God, that our lives might become something good and beautiful and fresh through your abundant grace Almighty God, Who forgives all who truly repent, Have mercy upon you, Pardon and deliver you from all your sins, Confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, And keep you in life eternal; Through Jesus Christ our lord Amen, Lord have mercy Sharing the PeaceThe peace of the Lord be always with you and
also with you EucharistThe Lord is hereHis Spirit is with us Lift up your hearts We lift them to the Lord Holy God, holy and true We thank you for Jesus Christ who came to live in this smelly, confusing world In the midst of exploitation and excess he brought us the abundance of your simple, fragrant grace And taught us to follow you in joy and simplicity That we might return to you a sweet fragrance of mercy and justice Amen, Lord have mercy Lord, you are good and the source of all good things Your Spirit is a sweet savour of all that brings life and hope in a damaged world Grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit These gifts of bread and wine May be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen, Lord have mercy Who, in the same night that he was betrayed, After washing the dirty feet of his disciples Took bread and gave you thanks; He broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper He took the cup and gave the thanks; He gave it to them saying: Drink this, all of you; This is my blood of the new covenant, Which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, In remembrance of me. Christ has died Christ is risen Christ will come again The bread is broken We break this bread To share in the body of Christ. Though we are many, we are one body, Because we all share in one bread The invitation Jesus is the lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, But only say the word and I shall be healed. Communion is received Silence Lord’s prayer Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, You will be done, On earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins As we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, And the glory are yours Now and forever. Amen. We thank you, God, for feeding us with the body and blood of your son Jesus Christ. Send us out and through us spread in every place the fragrance of God, for you have made us to be the perfume of Christ: a sweet smell to those who love justice but an irritant to those who despoil the earth and ignore the suffering of the oppressed. |