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This Advent, with all the strife and anger in our world, we are looking to hear words of comfort, of challenge, and of good news. The prophet Isaiah and the four Gospel authors were writing in a time when people needed desperately to hear all of these as well. This first week, Isaiah, the prophet, and Mark – the Gospel writer who published first – reassure the people that good news is beginning and yet they both say, “Make yourself ready! Raise your voices, change your hearts, get ready to be transformed, because now is the time.” Let us embrace hope that we can do what needs to be done to bring more light into the world.

I believe in the sun, I believe in the sun,

even when, even when it’s not shining.

I believe in the sun, I believe in the sun,

even when, even when it’s not shining.

The place without light

The place without light

The depth of night

The depth of night

The pit of unknowing

The pit of unknowing

Weekly Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11 & Mark 1:1-15

Come to the table of grace

Come to the table of grace

This is God’s table, it’s not yours or mine

Come to the table of grace!

This is the final Sunday of our worship series, “Come to the Table.” In previous weeks, the sacrament of Communion during this series has helped us remember Jesus’ life and ministry and connects us with our Christian ancestors and siblings across time and space. Today we celebrate God’s generosity by welcoming others into a new stage on their journey, as well as in the sharing of our gifts and resources through our intentions of giving for the coming year, as we work towards a more just and equitable world.

Weekly scripture – Ezekiel 34:11-21 & Matthew 25:31-46

Come to the table of joy

Come to the table of joy

This is God’s table, it’s not yours or mine

Come to the table of joy!

This is the penultimate Sunday of our worship series, “Come to the Table.” Our weekly celebration of the sacrament of Communion during this series has helped us remember Jesus’ life and ministry and connects us with our Christian ancestors and siblings across time and space.

There is great joy to be found at God’s table: joy in the vibrant relationships that nurture and sustain this community, joy in the sharing of our gifts and resources, joy in the journey as we work towards a more just and equitable world.

Weekly scripture – Matthew 25:14-30

We continue this Sunday with our worship series, “Come to the Table.” Today, we hear the call to dine with Jesus – an invitation that means much more than a simple eating experience. It never was simply about eating with Jesus. The table was the place where he fed people, and also challenged them to acts of hospitality that reflect God’s way. When we say “yes” to the place at Christ’s table, we accept a way of life that embraces God’s definition of love, peace, grace, and joy.

Weekly scripture – Matthew 22:1-14

“I No Longer Pray for Peace” by Ann Weems
On the edge of war, one foot already in,
I no longer pray for peace:
I pray for miracles.
I pray that stone hearts will turn
to tenderheartedness,
and evil intentions will turn
to mercifulness,
and all the soldiers already deployed
will be snatched out of harm’s way,
and the whole world will be
astounded onto its knees.
I pray that all the “God talk”
will take bones,
and stand up and shed
its cloak of faithlessness,
and walk again in its powerful truth.
I pray that the whole world might
sit down together and share
its bread and its wine.
Some say there is no hope,
but then I’ve always applauded the holy fools
who never seem to give up on
the scandalousness of our faith:
that we are loved by God……
that we can truly love one another.
I no longer pray for peace:
I pray for miracles.
Let us pray.
Holy One, send miracles. Amen.