Scripture: Zephaniah 3:19-20 Watch what I am about to do to all your oppressors at that time. I will deliver the lame; I will gather the outcast. I will change their shame into praise and fame throughout the earth. At that time, I will bring all of you back, at the time when I gather you. I will give you fame and praise among all the neighboring peoples
Scripture: Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” Thought for the Day: A few translations say the angels sang, and though that’s the way I imagine it to be, the word praise is a bit more generic. Yet for most of us, we
Scripture: Luke 1:28-30 When the angel came to Mary, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you.” Thought for the Day: Today in worship, you will hear these words spoken. The angel’s response to Mary’s confusion was to encourage her
Scripture: John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. Thought for the Day: I referenced this passage in last Sunday’s sermon. I tend to have a favorite passage of the month, but this one makes an appearance in that top spot on a regular basis. There are probably many reasons for why that occurs, but I believe it happens so often
Scripture: John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Thought for the Day: Too often we speak of the Bible as the Word of God, but at no point does the Bible ever say that. The Word was with God and was God. John will go on to explain how the Word was the creative power of
Scripture: Matthew 3:3 John the Baptist was the one of whom Isaiah the prophet spoke when he said: The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.” Thought for the Day: I know we started Advent last Sunday, but there is something about seeing a December date that makes this season feel even more real to me. This is,
Scripture: James 1:17 Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all. Thought for the Day: It was on this day in 1982 that Michael Jackson released his second solo album called Thriller. I believe it is still the best selling album in history. At the
Scripture: Psalm 72:3-8 Let the mountains bring peace to the people; let the hills bring righteousness. Let the king bring justice to people who are poor; let him save the children of those who are needy, but let him crush oppressors! Let the king live as long as the sun, as long as the moon, generation to generation. Let him fall like rain upon fresh-cut grass, like showers
Scripture: Romans 13:11-12 As you do all this, you know what time it is. The hour has already come for you to wake up from your sleep. Now our salvation is nearer than when we first had faith. The night is almost over, and the day is near. So let’s get rid of the actions that belong to the darkness and put on the tools of light. A
Scripture: John 18:37 “So you are a king?” Pilate said. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this reason: to testify to the truth. Whoever accepts the truth listens to my voice.” Thought for the Day: Why purple? It’s a good question – why do we use the color purple to decorate during the season of Advent?