Dressing for the New Year

1 Samuel 2:18-21 Samual as a boy in the temple Psalm 148:1-14 Praise for God’s universal glory Colossians 3:12-17 Clothe yourselves with compassion Luke 2:41-52 The boy Jesus in the temple This new way of life, the Christian way, is expressed by Paul’s metaphor of clothing — put on compassion,

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Called to Welcome

Micah 5:2-5a Out of Bethlehem in Judea will come a leader. Luke 1:39-55 Mary visits Elizabeth Mary was welcomed not only by Elizabeth, but by her child in her womb who leaped in welcome at her presence. It is said that Elizabeth was filled with the spirit in that moment

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Called to Share

Isaiah 12:2-6 Proclaim God’s deed to the nations. Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in God always! In this season of giving, we can sometimes walk away feeling empty, burdened, frustrated and guilty. The scriptures today remind us that we are not to worry about anything. As we prepare for the birth of

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Advent Sabbath

Baruch 5:1-9 Zechariah’s Prophecy Luke 1:68-79 Promise of return Philippians 1:3-11 Paul’s prayer for the Philippians Luke 3:1-6 Proclamation of John the Baptist Advent, like Sabbath, is a contemplative time. The kind of contemplative, prayerful time that prepares us for what is to come in life. John calls the people

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The Wholeness Story

Jeremiah 33:14-16 A Righteous Branch 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Strengthen your hearts in holiness Luke 21:25-36 Urgency to watch This waiting and watching, then the arrival, have been ritualized in the Advent and Christmas liturgical cycle. Some of us want only a part of it. One wants to skip the promise:

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Living Truth

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Divine throne vision Revelation 1:4b-8 The alpha and the omega John 18:33-37 Jesus before Pilate Living Truth Jesus is accused of being “King of the Jews”, but Pilate sees no king before him. Neither does he recognize Living Truth that stands before him. What clouds our view

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The Gift of Life

1 Kings 17:8-16 Elijah gives life to a widow Psalm 146 Mark 12:38-44 The widows gives all she has Sermon: A Gift of LifeJesus points to a poor widow who gives all she has. Today, we point, in our remembrance, to those who gave all they had, even their lives.

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Sola Scriptura

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-9 God promises to lead the people home Psalm 119 Mark 10:46-52 The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus Sermon: Sola Scriptura The Reformation of the 16th century was a time when some people were permitted to read the Bible for the first time. The direct and immediate encounter with

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