Pastor Brad talks to us about the visit of the Magi

Blessings and joy to you in the wonder of this season! 
- Pastor Brad Highum

Only Matthew’s Gospel contains this story of mystics from the east visiting the One who has come from God into the world.  Historicity is clearly not the point; the story is fraught with imagery and symbolism that resonated deeply with the persecuted church of the first century, just as it does with people of faith and hope in our day.  It is a story of magnificence and vulnerability, a story of wealth and poverty, a story of “insiders” and “outsiders,” a story of earthly power kneeling before the rule and reign of God envisioned in Christ.  It is a profound drama in the midst of the Gospel in which God reveals deep truths about a kingdom that HAS come, that even now is at hand and among us.

PRAYER OF THE DAY: 
We come seeking your kingdom, as strangers in a strange land.  We follow your sign – a light in the heavens – in hopes that it leads us to you.  We find the improbable, born into the impossible, but born nonetheless … a gift of light and grace from you.  Teach us adoration.  Teach us humility.  Teach us the way and the truth that lead to life.  Amen.

READINGS

First Reading:  Isaiah 60:1-6

Psalm 72:1-7,10-14

 Second Reading:  Ephesians 3:1-13

Gospel:  Matthew 2:1-12

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Pastor Lynnae talks to us about Believe,  the 3rd in a series during Advent and Christmas

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Pastor Brad talks to us about the Deliverer
We continue the Advent series “Believe” as we embrace Jesus as God’s “deliverer.”
Christ as “savior” is one of those words that is controversial in its variety of uses and meanings to different people in different circumstances.  At the heart of this identification of Jesus as savior or deliverer is the root language of Scripture:  “christos”

 in Greek,“meshiach” in Hebrew, Christ and Messiah, both of which literally mean “anointed one.”  In this Advent season of preparation we take time to reflect on Jesus as the one God anoints to call forth the transformation of the world … the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of new beginnings, prepare our hearts to welcome your Anointed One into the midst of the world, into the center of our lives.  Lift our spirits to proclaim with your Spirit the coming of your Deliverer and the advent of your kingdom.  We join with the saints in every time and place as we cry, “Come, Lord Jesus, come.”  Amen.

READINGS of the Day

First Reading:  Isaiah 11:1-6

Psalm 18:2-6,16-19

Second Reading:  Daniel 7:13

Gospel:  Matthew 3:1-12

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Pastor Lynnae talks about 'Believe'

 The first in the Advent series

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