Worship series begins Sunday, November 21, 2021
As the season of Advent begins, we transition away from the narratives that have shaped the history of God’s people, leading us ever closer to the revelation of Emmanuel – God with Us, experienced in the person of Jesus who is to be the savior of the world. We recall the words that started this story, “in the beginning” and we find ourselves on the precipice of another beginning. The fourth Gospel is to be our guide and John starts by reaching back with us where, “in the beginning,” an invitation to a new pathway comes. Ever since God’s breath moved the waters, animated the earth, and inspired us to life, the Word was there. And now the Word moves us again.
The prophets spoke of this moving Word, the animating Spirit, and the on-going Creator. Listening to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, we are drawn away from the places we might find ourselves stuck and we’re offered a renewed promise that God loves us too much to leave us there. The darkness will not remain, and despair will lose its footing. Death is not the end and what has been missing will return in abundance. God is coming and our fear will be replaced by joy.
November 21 – Advent 1 – “Moving from Darkness to Light”
Texts: Isaiah 9:2-7, John 8:12
As the days get shorter and many people find themselves in challenging situations, the season of Advent provides a glimmer of hope.
November 28 – Advent 2 – “Moving from Despairing to Renewed”
Texts: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14, John 14:27
Our present realities don’t have to define our future. Something altogether new is on the horizon and God is inviting us to see the possibilities in hope.
December 5 – Advent 3 – “Moving from Death to Life”
Texts: Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:25-26
God works in mysterious ways as we see in the story of the Valley of the Dry Bones. How is God breathing new life into us?
December 12 – Advent 4 – “Moving from Empty to Full”
Texts: Isaiah 55:1-13, John 4:13-14
There is a table being set for us and it’s crowded with good things. The cups from which we drink will soon overflow. How might our response to this abundance be comparably generous?
December 19 – Lessons & Carols + Christmas Café
December 24 – Christmas Eve – “Moving from Fear to Joy” (Worship Services at 3:00, 4:30 & 9:00pm)
Text: Luke 2:1-20
An angel comes to Mary with big news of a child that will be born, starting the conversation with “fear not.” Similarly the angels announce the birth of the Christ Child to a group of shepherds, beginning this joyous news with “fear not.” What is it that we fear this Christmas season?
December 26 – “Moving from Expectation to Fulfillment” (One service at 10:00am)
Text: John 1:1-18
The light has come, alleluia! John’s witness reveals truths that were not