Greetings as Christmas draws near. In just one week we will celebrate Christmas. It has been an exciting Advent season for us and we have found done a lot of preparing for the future – near and far. We continue to seek and serve Christ in others and support them however they need. We hope you are ready for the family time that lies ahead. For our neighbors who celebrate other holidays in this season, Hanukkah and all other faith traditions, may you be enriched in your celebrations. Our Christmas Eve celebration will take place at 3:30 next Saturday, please join us.
Editorial note: the video of worship is intentionally blurred during communion for privacy considerations.
As we gathered for worship we asked for the reminder that Jesus visits us daily to prepare us for his second coming and to remember that there is built for all of us, a mansion in heaven with many rooms for all creation. The Psalmist sings a song that reminds us that God is the one who restores us and helps us by shining God’s light on us. Our salvation comes from the presence of God in our lives and no matter what, we are saved for God’s pleasure. Our Epistle today was the opening of Paul’s letter to the Romans where he tells all believers that they are sent to proclaim God’s message of grace for all. Our sermon was based on the stories from Hebrew Scripture in the Prophet Isaiah and the gospel of Matthew. Isaiah conveys to Ahaz that God has a plan and Isaiah asks Ahaz to ask God for a sign. Ahaz declines to ask, feeling filled with piety. God gives a sign to Ahaz signaling his doom. The same sign is offered to Joseph and Joseph changes his plans, to dismiss Mary, and to embrace the grace offered by God. God’s plan saves us from ourselves, all we need to do is get out of the way and God will succeed.
I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
Video of worship: https://youtu.be/OuF7j4pm700
Video of sermon: https://youtu.be/rpIYTJ0MVWc
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