3rd Sunday of Advent
Psalm 89 paraphrase by Pastor William
Lord, you are so awesome!
I’m telling everyone I know.
Your love is forever and without condition!
A guarantee without fail.
You always say we can trust you,
You have proven worthy...
3rd Sunday of Advent (Luke 2:1-7)
Gospel Message from Pastor William
Across the globe, people celebrate this birth story; calling it Christmas (until 1083; “mass on Christ’s day”.) In the early 20th century, “Christ’s Day” turned into a secular family holiday devoid of Christian elements. Churches began to move their mass to the evening before; eliminating the mass (worship service) on December 25...
3rd Sunday of Advent — Luke 2:1-7
Stewardship Moment from Pastor William
Stewardship in the Gospel
In today’s Gospel, Joseph takes Mary to Bethlehem where she gives birth to Jesus. Jesus, the perfect example of God’s generosity and faithfulness. Emmanuel; God with us, God for us.
Stewardship in our community
Joseph is not the only one told there is no room for Jesus. In our society, it is getting more and more difficult to find Christ in Christmas. But, he’s there. We find Christ in: renters facing eviction, the jobless, the pandemic sufferers, the fearful, and the lonely.
Stewardship in practice
Look for Christ and serve him. Buy some gift cards to a fast-food restaurant, a grocery store, and/or big box retailer. Then freely distribute them to Christ (see above for examples of where you’ll find him.) Make it a goal to spend more on Christ this Christmas than you do on other things.
2nd Sunday of Advent – Luke 1:39-56
Stewardship Moment from Pastor William
Stewardship in the Gospel
In today’s Gospel, Mary proclaims the Magnigicat (Latin meaning; magnify). She is bursting with good news about the wonderful, generous, abundant and restoring God who favors the lowly, marginalized and unseen people of society.
Stewardship in our community
Newscasts tend towards sensationalism, fear and scarcity. But, if we look past all that there is so much of God’s goodness for us to experience. People doing good things to each other. Sufficient supplies of goods and services. Good things happening to good people (and bad people).
Stewardship in practice
Whenever you find yourself repeating a negative news item or something said by others, stop yourself mid-sentence. Then immediately find something good to magnify. Like Mary, in the midst of uncertainty and fear, find a way to give thanks to the wonderful God who loves you enough to come to be with you.
2nd Sunday of Advent (Luke 1:39-56)
Gospel Message from Pastor William
This week we look at Mary’s visit to her kinfolk Elizabeth where she proclaims the Magnificat (magnify.) Mary magnifies that God is faithful, God longs for healthy human relationships, God’s damaged creation will be repaired, and God lifts up the lowly, hurt, and marginalized. Let us remember that God counts on us ...
2nd Sunday of Advent
Psalm 65 paraphrase by Pastor William
We have you to thank, God;
for your unwavering faithfulness.
You hear our prayers;
everyone will turn to you, eventually.
You pardon us for hurting one another;
you choose to not hold it against us.
We expect air and water, food and housing;
you deliver in abundance.
Creatures and plants know to thank you;
we cheer you with them...
1st Sunday of Advent
In today's scripture we hear that both Zechariah and Elizabeth "were righteous before God" (v6.)
In Jewish faith, it was well understood that one did not earn salvation, but that God's grace came to them before they were found to be righteous.
God's forgiving grace always comes first. Our response of repentant living comes second. God chooses you before you choose God-thanks be to God!
1st Sunday of Advent
Psalm 46 Paraphrase by Pastor William
God gives us shelter and security,
there is nothing to fear.
Even if the earth shakes, or the wind blows, or the seas rise,
for God is with us.
Notice the good God is doing;...
Christ the King Sunday
Psalm 93, Paraphrase by Pastor William
The Lord is my king,
the one true ruler.
We are the King's creation,
the world is the Lord's
Your throne always was,
your reign longer than forever.
Roaring waters lift their voice,
They applaud your commands...
Christ the King Sunday — John 18:33-37
Stewardship Moment from Pastor William
Stewardship in the Gospel
Jesus says God’s kingdom is not from this world. In other words – the way things are right now, is not the way things are done in God’s kingdom. Hate speak, racial bias, social class feuding, alienation of refugees, criticism of others – none of that is God’s kingdom come.
Stewardship in our community
God’s kingdom is a place where love is spoken, anti-racism is the norm, unifying actions are predominant, countries are helped to provide a place from which refugees do not need to flee, and encouraging uplifting speech is free flowing.
Stewardship in practice
God invites you to be part of God’s kingdom; remove the evil of your doings, cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow (Isaiah 1:16-17.) Accepting and living out that invitation is being a good steward.
