Wednesday Words for November 28, 2012
from Pastor Carrie Smith
Thought for the Day:
“The house lights go off and the footlights come on. Even the chattiest stop chattering as they wait in darkness for the curtain to rise.
In the orchestra pit, the violin bows are poised. The conductor has raised his baton.
In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself.
You hold your breath to listen. You walk up the steps to the front door. The empty windows at either side of it tell you nothing, or almost nothing. For a second you catch a whiff of some fragrance that reminds you of a place you’ve never been and a time you have no words for.
You are aware of the beating of your heart…The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.”
— Frederick Buechner, “Whistling in the Dark”
In our prayers: Dorothy Heisler (in hospice care); John Michaels, Bill Kohl, Millie Karger, Shelby Perkins, Don Barkley, Bill Krusinski.
Tonight at Bethany: It’s time for the Hanging of the Greens! Join us at 6:30 pm to sing some carols and beautify the church for the Advent season. We’ll be hanging garlands, lighting the trees, assembling the Advent wreath, and blessing the small nativity set. All are welcome, but we extend a special welcome to new members and visitors!
Tonight is also the last Confirmation class of 2012. Students, we hope you will join us for worship on the Wednesdays of Advent at 7 pm!
Sunday at Bethany: Advent marks the beginning of a new church year—so, Happy New Year! Our Advent theme this year is “Imagine: Peace”, and each week we will be reflecting on what it means for the Prince of Peace to born into our lives and into the world. This week’s focus is “Visualizing Peace”. I will be offering the sermon this week, and we will be blessed by special music from Bell Canto bell choir.
Advent Wreath: Each week, the Advent candles will be lighted by new members of the Bethany community. This week, our families are Richard, Karen, Kajsa & Shane Stramberg, and Tiffany, Eric, and Finley Goodman. We give thanks for you, new members! You are a gift to God’s mission and to this congregation!
Why Advent? Why blue? Why no nativity scene yet? If you are asking these questions, you are not alone....Advent is largely unknown to popular Christian culture. Some have said to me “Hey, it feels like Lent in the church! Why aren’t we decked out for Christmas yet?” This question reveals an important truth: Advent is indeed related to Lent. In the past, Advent and Lent even shared the same color, purple. More recently, Advent has been changed to the color blue, which symbolizes hope and expectation.
Advent and Lent also share the common theme of repentance and waiting. Waiting is hard! But for hundreds (thousands!) of years, Advent has been a time for reflection, prayer, and preparation for the birth of Jesus. Each week, we will move a little further down the path to the peace Christmas brings. Each week, our worship space will look a little different. Come join us for worship as Bethany, with Christians around the world, prepares for the celebration of the birth of our Savior.
Advent and Christmas resource for families: Check out this interesting website, which features crafts, activities, and devotions for families! Fridge Art
Homemade Advent Calendar: This web page gives a lovely definition of Advent, and some practical tips on how to make an Advent calendar for your home: Keeper of the Home
Stewardship commitments: If you have not yet turned in your financial and time and talent commitments for next year, please bring those to church on Sunday (or drop them in the mail ASAP).
This Week’s Texts: The First Sunday in Advent
Jeremiah 33:14-16
14The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
Psalm 25:1-10 (Message Version)
25 1-2 My head is high, God, held high;
I’m looking to you, God;
No hangdog skulking for me.
3 I’ve thrown in my lot with you;
You won’t embarrass me, will you?
Or let my enemies get the best of me?
Don’t embarrass any of us
Who went out on a limb for you.
It’s the traitors who should be humiliated.
4 Show me how you work, God;
School me in your ways.
5 Take me by the hand;
Lead me down the path of truth.
You are my Savior, aren’t you?
6 Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God;
Rebuild the ancient landmarks!
7 Forget that I sowed wild oats;
Mark me with your sign of love.
Plan only the best for me, God!
8 God is fair and just;
He corrects the misdirected,
Sends them in the right direction.
9 He gives the rejects his hand,
And leads them step-by-step.
10 From now on every road you travel
Will take you to God.
Follow the Covenant signs;
Read the charted directions.
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Luke 21:25-36
25“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Peace,
+ Pastor Carrie Smith
