Rivertown United Reformed Church

A world of difference

Light the candle

Voice 1: I live in a fine big house – double glazing, central heating, swimming pool, double garage and a garden.

Voice 2: I live under a corrugated tin roof – no walls, in a shanty town with thousands of other people. We huddle together to keep warm.

Voice 1: When I go shopping I am spoilt for choice – 17 types of bread no less. I always buy myself a little treat.

Voice 2: My family has to grow their own food and we often go hungry when our crops fail in the droughts.

Voice 1: Every morning I have a refreshing shower, a glass of ice cold water and if it is dry I water my garden before going to work.

Voice 2: We are lucky to have water – it is only switched on when the Israelis say so – it is often off for hours every day.

Voice 1: I was wondering whether to buy a 23” wide screen TV or one of those flat screen types.

Voice 2: What little money I can earn goes towards buying seeds and clothes for my brothers and sisters.

Voice 1: I know there are lots of people in need but I can’t help them can I?

Extinguish the candle

Voice 2: I pray for just a few pennies so I can wake up the next day and know that I can eat.

You came to show us

Voice 1: You came to earth to share completely in our humanity.

You gave us your example of how to live – with love, joy, courage, compassion, tenderness, humour, sensitivity and humility.

You gave us the Holy Spirit, who is at work in us, changing us more and more into your likeness.

You give us the power to do the works that you did on earth.

Light the candle