November 29 HOPE

Isaiah 64:1-9

This is a prayer, or better yet a cry, for God to come down and fix our broken world. We have reached the end of our rope. All our schemes for self-improvement, for extracting ourselves from the traps we have set for ourselves, have come to nothing. We cannot save ourselves, and without God we are totally and completely lost.

“The prayer exhibits the two main features of genuine Advent hope: on the one hand, a deep sense of desperation about a situation out of control… On the other hand, a bold and confident trust in God is voiced, addressed to a God who can intervene (if God will) to make life peaceable and joyous.” (Walter Brueggemann)

Key Verse: “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence.”  Isaiah 64:1

December 6 PEACE

Mark 1:1-8

Every day there has been more bad news piled on top of bad news. It’s hard to see the silver lining with so many dark clouds hanging over us. What the world needs now is some good news, that something good, beautiful, hopeful is on the way. Mark’s gospel begins on a hopeful note, the good news of Jesus Christ.

 “Notice that Mark doesn’t call his book, ‘The Good News (Gospel) of Jesus.’ Rather, he titles it ‘The Beginning of the Good News….’ Which means that everything Mark has to say about Jesus – all the healing, preaching, teaching, exorcising, and even Jesus’ death and resurrection – is only the beginning of the good news. There’s still more to come.” (David Lose)

Key Verse: “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mark 1:1

December 13 JOY

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

This Sunday is about Joy, but it’s not just a happy, happy joy. It’s the joy in knowing that Jesus came to bring good news to the poor. Jesus quotes this text at the very beginning of his ministry. It’s his agenda. It should be our agenda too.

December 20 LOVE

Christmas Concert

9:00am – The Rising Band, Christmas in Tune VII

11:00am – Traditional Worship, Christmas Cantata

Both will livestream on YouTube and Facebook.

December 24 CHRIST

Christmas Eve Services

details TBD