Good News - Week of 11/21/2016

PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Unexpected God, your advent alarms us. Wake us from drowsy worship, from the sleep that neglects love, and the sedative of misdirected frenzy. Awaken us now to your coming, and bend our angers into your peace. Amen.
(from the the Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURES

Isaiah 2:1-5 - Out of the house of the Lord shall come wisdom and instruction, and all nations will convert their weapons of war into implements for sustaining life.

Psalm 122 -  A psalm rejoicing in Jerusalem, a foretaste of what Isaiah prophesies.

Romans 13:11-14 - Salvation draws ever nearer, so live in the fullness of Christ, freed from the power of sinful desires.

Matthew 24:36-44 - The coming of the Son of Man will be a surprise, so be ready and wait for it!

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Advent wreath

WHAT'S HAPPENING

What is Advent?
This Sunday, (November, 27) is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a season of four weeks including four Sundays. Advent derives from the Latin adventus, which means "coming." The season proclaims the comings of the Christ—whose birth we prepare to celebrate once again, who comes continually in Word and Spirit, and whose return in final victory we anticipate. Each year Advent calls the community of faith to prepare for these comings; historically, the season was marked by fasts for preparation. Each Sunday of Advent has its distinctive theme: Christ's coming in final victory (First Sunday), John the Baptist (Second and Third Sundays), and the events immediately preceding the birth of Jesus Christ (Fourth Sunday).

When you walk into the sanctuary you may see blue or purple coverings on the altar. You may also see other visual symbols such as an Advent wreath (an evergreen wreath with four candles and a central white Christ candle added on Christmas Eve/Day), evergreen wreaths and branches, a Chrismon tree (an evergreen tree covered with white monograms of Christ), and a Jesse tree (a tree with signs of the ancestors of Christ).
(adapted from Discipleship Ministries)

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