Mark 1: 14-20|Timing makes a difference. It determines what we do, and when we do it. The same was true for Jesus as he began his ministry, proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom. The clock had shifted, which demanded an immediate response from his soon-to-be disciples. So what’s happening, now? Considering all the changes and unknowns of 2020, it is clear we are not in the same spot we were a year ago. But even now, God’s kingdom has come among us, demanding a response in what we do and when we do it. Join us for worship as we consider Christ’s call to us – individually and collectively. Music and liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
John 1: 43-51|“Come and see! Come and look!” typically indicates something pretty amazing. When we invite others to see something, we’re either A) proud of something we’ve done or B) have something so incredible to share that we just can’t hold it in any longer. It is with that same urgency that Jesus disciples, and we ourselves, are invited to “come and see” on our walk of faith. But having “come and seen” the birth of Christ at Christmas, and his baptism last week, now what? Join us in worship as we consider how we are to respond to that which we have “come and seen” as people of faith. Music and liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Mark 1:4-11, Genesis 1:1-5|In the past week, we have seen displays of power that have shocked, surprised, and scarred the nation. Though it might be easier to brush past it as “yet another sensationalized news story,” these events must make us stop, and think – not only as a country, but as people of faith. Now, having seen what power can do, what does it mean for us to ascribe power to our God? And, as followers of Jesus, how are we to respond as a part of our baptismal calling? Join us for worship as we reflect on the baptism of our Lord, and recall our Lord whose power only leads to life. Music and liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Luke 2:22-40 | Not long after Jesus’ birth, his parents took him to be presented in the temple, according to Jewish custom. There, they met Simeon and Anna – two leaders of faith that would bless Jesus for his future ministry. As we gather on the Sunday after Christmas, join us for an interactive worship service. Together, we will offer our blessings to each other, confess our sin, receive forgiveness, discuss our Gospel passage in breakout rooms, and close in prayer petitions that are formed by those gathered for worship. Join us, as we continue the Christmas season. Music and liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Luke 2:1-20| It’s a story that many have heard before: the story of Christ’s birth. In all, it’s a pretty simple story. But when we lean in close, and take a look at this thing that has come to pass, even in the simplicity of this year’s Christmas celebrations, perhaps we will see something profound…indeed, something that might seem too perfect to be true. Join us as we kneel in adoration of our Lord and Savior, partake in the sacrament, and gather our light together. Music and liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Luke 1:26-55 | In one annunciation – one message from the divine – Mary’s world was completely changed. And yet, she accepted God’s call to her, trusting the work of her Lord within her, and trusting that God was leading her, and her people toward his promises. Though perhaps not like Mary, we likely have also experienced news that has changed the course of our lives – sometimes unexpectedly! Join us for worship as we consider our response to God’s call to us, and as we look toward the manger, where God’s promises will be given to us…causing the whole world to turn. Music and liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
John 1:6-8, 19-28 | As John pointed the way to the coming Light – Jesus Christ, it’s clear the Pharisees and priests didn’t quite get it. Standing right in thier midst was the one who would deliver them, but they missed it because they were distracted, and focused on the wrong questions…and the wrong guy. Today, as we prepare for the coming of Christ, now we are challenged to consider what distractions hinder us from living in the joy of the Lord. Our God, Emmanuel, is coming to us; and indeed, our God has come to us. But have we cleared the way, and made room for him to come and dwell? Music and liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Isaiah 40:1-11 | Even amidst uncertainty, the Israelites were given a message of comfort and hope by the prophet Isaiah. Still today, our God offers us the same message of comfort and hope and invites us to join with Him in preparing the way for his coming among us. Join us for worship as we offer our praise for God’s continued faithfulness and go forth as agents of God’s kingdom. Music and liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Mark 13:24-37 | Though seemingly odd to hear from Jesus just prior to his death as we begin the season of Advent, our Gospel for this week points to Jesus’ plea for the disciples to “keep awake,” lest they miss the work of God among them. But what about us? Have we always stayed awake to God at work among us? And what about God at work IN us? Join us for worship as we begin the season of Advent and consider our call, as people who dream, to keep awake. Music and liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
In early November, a youth in our congregation asked me: “Pastor, when do we start Advent?”
The question took me by surprise for two reasons:
1) I could tell that this youth as really looking forward to Advent, and
2) the way he phrased the question made the implication that Advent wasn’t just a season of the church year, but was something we “do” together as a church.
After asking the question, I gave him the answer he was looking for: the Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 29. But then I had a question for him: Why are you looking forward to starting Advent?
At first I was given the answer that the season of Pentecost had been really long (which, is quite true!), and that it was time for a change. But then he continued, and said something to the effect of, “Given everything that’s happened in 2020, it seems like we all need a little hope right now.”
We all need a little hope right now. Isn’t that the truth? 2020 wasn’t the year we were expecting. And even if we’ve been able to find opportunities, and blessings within the past year, it doesn’t negate the reality that it’s been difficult to look beyond the present moment. Each moment, each day, each week, has constantly been changing. It’s been hard to know what to expect and when to expect it. So hope? Look to the future? That probably hasn’t been at the top of our 2020 “to do list.”
But in conversation with this youth, he reminded me that yes…we all do need a little hope right now. We need to exercise our hope muscles and dare to look to the future, even when what is right in front of us—in the present—is just as uncertain as the future.
So for this season of Advent, that’s what I’m challenging you all to do: exercise your hope muscles with me by dreaming. Yes, dreaming. It might seem like an odd spiritual practice to take up during Advent, but I encourage you to try it out…and be honest with yourself. Because if you take a moment to think, I have a feeling you might find within yourself something you’re dreaming of…
· Dreaming of a day when you don’t get a text or a call from the school district with a change of plans
· Dreaming of a day when you finally feel caught up, or, a day when you finally have something to put on the calendar again
· Dreaming of family get togethers
· Dreaming of a touch: a hand on the back, a hug
We all are carrying dreams within us this Advent—big and small. And as humanity, we have even more dreams:
· Dreams of hope and of peace
· Dreams of joy and of love
· Dreams of God’s kingdom come…here on earth.
Well, this season, it’s those dreams that we’ll be focusing on in our Sunday morning worship. But I encourage you to take this practice of exercising your hope muscles one step further. Instead of stopping with worship, dare to let yourself dream as you approach the rest of your week. Ask yourself: what would hope look like in a moment like this? Or: if God’s kingdom were to come here, into this place and time, what would it look like? In doing so, you’ll be exercising your hope muscle. And in so doing, you’ll not only be going through Advent as another season of the church year, but you’ll be “doing” Advent in your daily life as you prepare for the coming of Christ our King.
All of us do need a little hope right now. We need something to look forward to, and something to dream of. But the good news? It’s that our dream will be born to us, so we can hold it, and touch it, on Christmas night. So in the next few weeks, come and journey with us, and dream…dream big.
