Week Two: Peace
Sunday, December 10, 2023:
God of Peace, as we light the second Advent candle, the peace candle, in a world filled with chaos and troubled souls, grant us the serenity that comes from knowing you are in control. Help us to be instruments of peace, sharing the dual peace found in Christ’s birth and His promised return. Amen.
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
a journey in existence 