Saturday, December 9, 2023
God of Hope, as we conclude this first week of Advent, we thank you for the light it has brought into our hearts. May the hope we’ve embraced continue to guide us through the remaining weeks and fill our lives with anticipation. In the name of Christ, our source of hope, we pray. Amen.
Friday, December 8, 2023:
God, as we wait for your coming, grant us the grace to live in hope, trusting not only in your historical promises but also in the future fulfillment of your redemptive plan. May our lives testify to the hope we find in you. Amen.
Thursday, December 7, 2023:
Divine Creator, renew our spirits with the hope that comes from knowing you are at work in our lives, presently, in the past, and the unfolding future. May our anticipation of Christ’s return shape our present actions and attitudes. Amen.
12.6.23
In our recent sermon from the first Sunday of Advent, we explored the theme of “Embracing Hope Amidst Chaos.” Amid life’s turmoil, we’re called to embrace a hope that challenges us to believe in something beyond the visible chaos, much like Isaiah did in the face of suffering.
Isaiah’s trust in God’s presence during upheaval serves as a powerful example. It’s not wishful thinking but a conviction that God shapes us like a potter molding clay, even in the midst of uncertainty.
As we navigate our own uncertainties, let’s lean into the shocking hope that Advent offers—a hope that refuses to let us linger in despair. This Advent season, marked by symbols like purple and blue, becomes a time of expectation. It serves as a reminder not to rush into God’s presence without acknowledging our status as clay in the divine potter’s hands.
In our contemporary context, where chaos echoes Isaiah’s experiences, we, too, long for peace. Yet, Isaiah’s assurance remains—a reminder that God is truly good. So, as we enter Advent with reflection, repentance, and anticipation, may we find joy and thankfulness as we wait with unwavering hope for Christ’s return.
Amen
Pastor Sela
Wednesday, December 6, 2023:
God of hope, may the first candle’s light and its flame remind us that even amid uncertainty, your light guides us. Help us share this hope with others, becoming beacons of encouragement in our community. Amen.
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Eternal One, in the flickering light of the first candle, teach us to be patient and hopeful amidst our current circumstances, anticipating the joy of Christmas and the ultimate bliss of Christ’s return. Grant us the wisdom to discern the signs of your presence in history and the unfolding future. Amen.
Week One: Hope
Monday, December 4, 2023
God, as the glow of the first candle lingers, may the hope we find in Christ’s first coming inspire our daily lives and fuel our anticipation of His return. May our hearts be steadfast, anchored in the assurance of your promises. Amen.
Week One: Hope
Sunday, December 3, 2023:
Gracious God, as we begin this Advent season and light the first Advent candle, we embrace the dual anticipation of celebrating the birth of Christ and eagerly awaiting His glorious return. Fill our hearts with the hope that comes from both the historical fulfillment of your promises and the promise of future joy in Christ’s presence. Ignite a flame of hope within us, dispelling any darkness in our lives. Amen.
11.30.23
A reflection from Sunday’s message based on Matthew 25:31-46
But When?
We stand at the crossroads of profound reality, contemplating a future where our every choice, action, and word will be laid bare before Christ. The crux of our self-reflection lies in the dichotomy of being either sheep or goats in the eyes of the Divine.
For the sheep, the commendation from Christ is a resounding “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Their lives resonate with acts of kindness, echoing the very essence of the kingdom—feeding the hungry, offering a drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting the imprisoned.
Conversely, the goats face a moment of questioning, realizing missed opportunities to extend love and compassion. It’s a crucial reckoning with the daily choices that shape our lives.
Christ’s response is crystal clear: our actions, or lack thereof, are not mere gestures but encounters with the Divine. The challenge is to let the rings of love, compassion, and service be a constant reminder, urging us to ask, “But when?” When will we extend love? When will we make today count, regardless of what happened yesterday?
As we step out of this moment of reflection, let us carry the awareness that our daily choices matter. May the rings on our metaphorical smartwatches remind us to live with purpose, making each day count. The words “You did it” should echo in our lives not in fear but in joy, knowing that each act of kindness, compassion, and service is a sacred encounter with Christ.
So, as a church, let our journey forward be one that resonates with love, compassion, and a resounding “Amen.” May our response to the challenges and opportunities ahead be a testament to the transformative power of living with purpose and embracing the echoes of our choices.
Grace and peace!
Sela Finau
Investing for the Kingdom: A Reflection on the Parable of the Talents
Exploring the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 (sermon from 11.19.23), Jesus, in preparing his disciples for the Kingdom of Heaven, narrates a story of a master entrusting different talents to three individuals before embarking on a long journey.
The master expects diligence and active engagement, not idle waiting. Upon his return, the two servants who received more talents had doubled their investments, but the one entrusted with a single talent returned it without any growth. This servant’s fear and tendency to compare himself to others led to inaction, resulting in disappointment from the master.
The key lesson drawn from this parable is a call to stewardship. As stewards of God’s gifts—be it talents, abilities, or resources—we are reminded not to waste what has been entrusted to us. The perspective of being stewards, not owners, encourages us to manage our lives, time, and resources wisely.
The sermon emphasized the importance of an open-handed approach to blessings. Rather than tightly holding onto resources, we are encouraged to give and invest in the kingdom. Fear and the trap of comparison were identified as hindrances to effective investment. The dangerous game of comparing ourselves to others can lead to playing it safe and missing out on opportunities to make a positive impact.
Faith involves taking risks and trusting in God. Stepping out in faith and risking it for Christ is the challenge presented to individuals and the church. The kingdom doesn’t grow if faith is kept private or if we expect the community to come to us. The parable challenges us to make something meaningful with our lives and take the necessary risks to be faithful stewards.
The conclusion posed a direct question: are we willing to risk our most valuable possessions for Christ and invest our treasured gifts for the kingdom? The call to let go and let God was extended, irrespective of the quantity of talents one possesses. The message resonated with a challenge to reflect on personal investments for the kingdom, emphasizing that the church will continue, but the question remains: how will our investments perform?
The final prayerful reflection urged a response like the first two servants in the parable, stating, “Here, God, I didn’t waste your investment. I used it wisely for your kingdom. I took the risk and placed my trust in you.”
What is your response to the call of faith, trust, and investment for the kingdom?
<><Sela Finau
a journey in existence 