Join in for a Worship Set from Chris and Amanda:
Peace
Goodness of God
Yahweh
Here is our ZOOM gathering from Second Advent as well, where we listened to scripture, lit our candles, heard a children's story, and worshipped together.
Sermon Overview
Prepare the way of the Lord!
These are words of promised comfort, a comfort that comes in glorious fashion.
The prophet Isaiah spoke these words initially to a people in ancient history whose hearts had been far from God. These words were for them, but we claim them for ourselves this morning. We long for a new revelation of God’s glory this season. What new hope does God have for our weary hearts, what fresh reminder that He is slow to anger, '...but The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.' 2 Peter 3:9,
As we continue On the Road today, we pause to consider whether we have made room for what Christ wants to do within us.
Scripture
A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:3-5
Benediction
People of God, people on the road: something greater is coming—prepare the way of the Lord! Go forth, attuned to the Holy Spirit, making room for the light of the world.
Discussion/Reflection Questions
1. Just like that first Christmas long ago; there is a lot of unknowns this Christmas season. What are you most concerned with as we look ahead to the Christmas season? Can you find a way to bring that concern to God in prayer today, and listen for what He might speak to you?
2. What comes to your mind as we looked at this vivid imagery: "Make straight a highway, raise valleys, mountains made low, rough to level, rugged to a plain?" If you were to personalize this metaphor, what would the things be in your life that need to be made straight, raised up, made low, leveled and smoothed?
3. "to turn from evil, and to turn to the good." Repentance is a two-stage process, acknowledging and renouncing the things that we do that we do not want to do. And then naming and committing to the things that we do want to do. If you haven't already, offer a prayer of repentance to our God who is slow to anger and abounding in mercy. He is listening, and He is here.
