Wednesday Words for November 27, 2013
From Pastor Carrie Smith
***Your Bethany Newsletter is attached! Scroll down to find the link. You can read it, print it, forward it to friends, and hang it on your fridge. Enjoy!***
Thought for the Day:
“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
― Maya Angelou
***
Tonight at Bethany: We will gather at 7 pm for a service of the Word and prayer, followed by PIE FEST! Join us as we give thanks to God for blessings of food, family, and friends.
Reminder: The church office is closed on Thursday and Friday, in honor of Thanksgiving. In the case of a pastoral emergency, you can reach Pastor Carrie at any time by cell phone: (815)347-3423.
Sunday at Bethany: Advent is here! As you arrive for worship, take a moment to stop at the “Prayer Wall” (aka the art wall) to add your own prayer, and to pray for others. For what do you wait in hope? For what does the world wait? What darkness does the light of Christ come to banish?
The worship space will gradually change to reflect the coming of the One who is our Hope, Jesus Christ. Each week, notice how the space becomes a bit merrier as we wait in joyful and hopeful expectation! This year, the weeks of Advent will be marked by the lighting of large candles behind the altar. A huge THANK YOU to our liturgical arts team, who have worked creatively and diligently to enhance our worship through their artistic talents!
At 8:30 a.m., we will enjoy the music of Bethany Choir, and at 10:30 a.m. we will be blessed by the talents of the Sonshine Singers! For this new season, we’ll be singing Setting 5 of the liturgy (which is in a contemplative, chanting style). We’ll also be chanting the Lord’s Prayer! This is new…but a lovely addition for this season. Let’s give it a try!
Hymns will include many Advent favorites: “Awake, Awake, and Greet the New Morn”, “Hark the Glad Sound”, “Light One Candle”, “Creator of the Stars of Night”, and “Fling Wide the Door”. See you Sunday!
Mark your calendars: Each Wednesday during Advent we will gather at 7 pm for prayer and worship.
Wed., Dec. 4 at 7 pm:
Evening Prayer with a special presentation about St. Nicholas
Wed., Dec. 11 at 7 pm:
Evening Prayer with a special presentation about Santa Lucia
Wed., Dec. 18 at 7 pm:
Longest Night: a service of communion for those who are grieving,
or who for other reasons find the holidays difficult.
Looking for a way to remind yourself of the “reason for the season”? Bookmark this Advent Conspiracy Calendar and check back each day for a tip for “staying the course”: http://www.adventconspiracy.org/default.aspx?page=3816
Or… get the Advent Conspiracy app for iPhone! https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/advent-conspiracy/id732221101?mt=8
Description: What if Christ-followers started a countercultural movement that reached far beyond a few days each December? Our Advent Conspiracy app provides a simple and secure way to make a choices each day to spend less on ourselves and provide access to clean water and justice for those oppressed around the world. Together we are conspiring to spend less, give more, worship fully and love all. Imagine how the world might be different this next year? How might you be different?
***
Texts for this Week: 1st Sunday of Advent
Prayer of the Day:
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.
By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins,
and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation,
for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
| FIRST READING | Isaiah 2:1–5 |
The visionary message presented in this reading focuses on a future day when God establishes a universal reign of peace. Divine decisions will make war obsolete, and the worshiping community responds: "Let us walk in that light of that Lord now!"
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2In days to come
the mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
3Many peoples shall come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths."
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
5O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the LORD!
| PSALM (ELW) | Psalm 122 |
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD." (Ps. 122:1)
1I was glad when they | said to me,
"Let us go to the house | of the LORD."
2Now our | feet are standing
within your gates, | O Jerusalem.
3Jerusalem is built | as a city
that is at unity | with itself;
4to which the tribes go up, the tribes | of the LORD,
the assembly of Israel, to praise the name | of the LORD. R
5For there are the | thrones of judgment,
the thrones of the | house of David.
6Pray for the peace | of Jerusalem:
"May they pros- | per who love you.
7Peace be with- | in your walls
and quietness with- | in your towers.
8For the sake of my kindred | and companions,
I pray for | your prosperity.
9Because of the house of the | LORD our God,
I will seek to | do you good." R
| SECOND READING | Romans 13:11–14 |
Paul compares the advent of Christ to the coming of dawn. We live our lives today in light of Christ's coming in the future.
11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
| GOSPEL | Matthew 24:36–44 |
Jesus describes his second coming as a sudden, unexpected event that will bring salvation or judgment upon people caught up in the usual affairs of daily life. He urges people to be alert and expectant.
36But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Peace,
Pastor Carrie Smith
