Thursday, December 21, 2023
Divine Love, teach us to find joy in the service of others. May our acts of kindness bring joy to those we encounter, reflecting your love in tangible ways, both as we reflect on the presence of Christ and anticipate his coming. Amen.
God, on this day, we turn our hearts to those who may not be feeling joy this season. As we reflect on the symbol of the candle lit on Sunday, we pray for those facing challenges, loneliness, or sorrow. May your comforting presence be felt by those in need, bringing them solace and peace. Grant them strength, and may the light of hope shine brightly in their lives. Amen.
Monday, December 18, 2023
God of Fierce Joy, open our eyes to the beauty in small blessings. Let our joy be so infectious that it spreads to those in need of encouragement and upliftment, celebrating not only the birth of Christ but also the anticipation of His glorious return. Amen.
12.13.23
Building a Just Peace This Advent
Dear Church,
This past Sunday, our focus was on peace. We delved into the powerful message from Isaiah: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3). This call to action isn’t just a utopian dream; it’s a prophecy urging us to actively participate in creating a world where peace and justice prevail.
Isaiah envisions a society where inequalities are dismantled, barriers removed, and everyone is valued. This isn’t wishful thinking; it’s a guiding light propelling us toward a just and peaceful world. The call to action echoes across the centuries, urging us to build a highway for God, not waiting for others but taking responsibility for ourselves.
Preparing the way means making room for God, cleansing our lives of negativity, and allowing God to bring a just peace. This call resonates with the challenges we face today—wars, suffering, inequality. Isaiah’s promise is a bountiful feast, rectifying all wrongs and providing healing.
Building peace starts within each of us, requiring self-reflection, forgiveness, and choosing compassion. Beyond individual action, it calls for collaboration—speaking out against injustice, supporting peace organizations, and holding leaders accountable.
Isaiah reminds us that peace begins within, offering personal, comforting peace. This Advent, may we commit to building a just peace, being messengers of hope and agents of peace. Even the smallest act of kindness can create a ripple effect, bringing us closer to Isaiah’s envisioned world and God’s kingdom.
Pastor Sela
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
God, as we pursue peace, guide us to extend the transformative power of forgiveness and reconciliation. May our actions reflect the peace that Christ ushered in with His birth and the lasting peace He promises in His return. Strengthen us to actively engage in the work of peace, being instruments of unity and understanding in our communities. 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.
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
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.
7.27.23
Here is a summary of Sunday’s Sermon:
The message emphasized the significance of hope and the struggles we face as Christians. The central theme focused on the unique nature of hope in Christianity; the hope we hold as Christians lies not in the present circumstances but in the promise of what is to come.
Life’s trials and challenges, including tough seasons, financial difficulties, and the pressures of life, can make us long for relief and restoration. As Christians, we have a hope that enables us to endure through these trials. The passage from Paul’s writings (Romans 8:12-25) reminds us that we are not mere victims of circumstance; we have received the Spirit of adoption, making us children of God and heirs of God’s promises. In times of overwhelming trials, we can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, who intercedes for us beyond words.
Many people grapple with health issues and the challenges of living in a fallen world, but the message reminds us that glory awaits us in the future. While the flesh involves the temptation to follow worldly desires and seek popularity rather than doing what is right, as children of God, we know the difference between right and wrong, and we are called to do better and walk in the path of righteousness.
The transformative process of enduring struggles, just like a farmer’s struggle in planting seeds leading to a harvest, results in spiritual growth and the revelation of God’s glory in our lives. Although we may experience sorrow and weeping at night, the promise of joy in the morning serves as a source of hope and comfort.
Pastor Sela
#hopeintimesoftrouble
a journey in existence 