Friday, December 21, 2012

Looking Toward Sunday




December 23, 2012 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

"I Believe Even When..." Worship Series

"I Believe, Even When..."


This Sunday marks the last of our Advent worship series, which was inspired by Marcia McFee’s “Worship Design Studio” and by the words of a beautiful anthem by Mark Miller. (You can listen to it here.) Each week we've looked at a different gospel's version of the story of Jesus' birth through the lens of Miller's anthem. This week we're using the opening verses of John's gospel

John describes Jesus as the "light that shines in the darkness", which the darkness can't overcome. As Christmas approaches, that light is becoming brighter.  (If you're observant, you've probably noticed that the light in the sanctuary has been increasing as we've moved through the season of Advent - symbolizing the approaching arrival of the Light of the World.)  In this last week of Advent, our anticipation, our yearning for the light is almost palpable.  We affirm that even when the sun is hidden from sight - even when love feels remote - even when we’re not certain of God’s presence, we sense that the light is coming, love is near, and the holy is born yet again in the midst of the pain of life. There is hope. There is light.

Join us as we celebrate the good news that - in the words of the gospel writer - "What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."

See you on Sunday!



Saturday, December 15, 2012

Looking Toward Sunday




December 16, 2012 - Third Sunday of Advent

"I Believe Even When..." Worship Series

"I Believe in God"


We continue our Advent worship series, inspired by Marcia McFee’s “Worship Design Studio” and by the words of a beautiful anthem by Mark Miller.  (You can listen to it here.)  This Sunday we'll be using the third verse of Miller's anthem ("I believe in God, even when God is silent") to look at the story of John the Baptizer in the Gospel of Mark.   

Like the Jews in the Baptizer's day, we often look around at the world as it is and wonder when God will come and address the injustice and suffering.  When will God fulfill the promise of lions laying down with lambs and swords being beaten into plowshares?  Where is God when senseless and violent tragedy occurs - like the school shooting in Newtown, CT? Where is God when we are in pain?

There are moments or seasons in our lives, individually and collectively, when God seems to be remote, removed, inaccessible – Deus Absconditus.  Where do we find the hope to believe in God, even when God is silent?  Join us as we explore the answer to that question.

See you on Sunday.



Friday, December 7, 2012

Looking Toward Sunday




December 9, 2012 - Second Sunday of Advent

"I Believe Even When..."  Worship Series

"I Believe In Love"

We continue our Advent worship series, inspired by Marcia McFee’s “Worship Design Studio” and by the words of a beautiful anthem by Mark Miller.  (You can listen to it here.)  This Sunday we'll be using the second verse of Miller's anthem ("I believe in love, even when I don't feel it") to look at the story of the angelic visitation to Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew.   

Joseph has discovered that his betrothed, Mary, is pregnant.  He's feeling rejected and hurt, and has decided to call off their impending marriage.  But an angel appears to him in a dream and tells him, "Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife."  Joseph puts aside his fear of being further wounded, betrayed, and publicly humiliated,  He decides to love Mary fearlessly.

We've all experienced difficulties in our relationships with others - not only in romantic relationships, but with family, friends, acquaintances.  It's easy to let our fear of being hurt interfere with loving others completely.  What if we were to heed the angel's words, "Do not be afraid"?  What difference might it make to love more fearlessly?  Can we let go into God's possibilities for all of our relationships?  Can we believe in love, even when...? 

Join us on Sunday!