Sunday, December 2, 2018

Waiting for the Light-Hopefulness 12-02-2018



LOOKING AHEAD  to worship on Sunday, December 2 …

We enter into the season of Advent, beginning with our focus on the Gospel call to HOPEFULNESS! 

╬ Hope

 Emily Dickinson said, “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words and never stops – at all –”  She captures the essence of this fluttering of the Spirit in the hearts of people of faith.  It is a force – at once fragile and gentle, but unwavering and unstoppable –  that ministers to our souls.  It speaks to us of goodness when all about seems threatening.  It speaks to us of persistence when despair gnaws at us.  It speaks to us of a light, growing brighter, when shadows crowd round us.  It is the song that accompanies us in the night, promising the dawn.  It is fitting that we begin our Advent journey here – in the place of hope – as we await the light that is coming.

  Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings.  Sermon and Reflection Slides are attached.

 The New Year in the Kingdom of God has already begun as we enter into the season of Advent.  Blessings to you all, as we make our way together!

 - Pr. Brad Highum
bhighum@abidinglove.org
PRAYER OF THE DAY ----------------
Creating God, we are unafraid and undeterred, for our hope is in you.  Our trust is in your grace, and your goodness.  Hope in you is a light that grows in us, leading us to the fulfillment of your promise of deliverance, redemption and peace.  Amen.

 READINGS --------------------------

 First Reading:  Job 11:13-19
13 "If you direct your heart rightly, you will stretch out your hands toward him.  14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness reside in your tents.  15 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear.  16 You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away.  17 And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
its darkness will be like the morning.  18 And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your rest in safety.  19 You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid;
many will entreat your favor.

 Psalm 33:1-5,18-22
1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright.
2 Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
18 Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who revere him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield.
21 Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

 Second Reading:  Rom 8:18-25
18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

 Gospel:  Matthew 12:15-21
15  Many crowds followed Jesus, and he cured all of them, 16 and he ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah:  18 "Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.  I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.  19 He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.  20 He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick until he brings justice to victory.  21 And in his name the Gentiles will hope."


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