Worship resources for November 27, 2022

November 27, 2022 Advent 1A Matthew 24:36-44 COMMENTARY The Advent season always begins with eschatological texts from the Gospels, this year from Matthew 24, Jesus’ final sermonic teaching in Matthew. Advent begins not with the quiet gentleness of the nativity scene, but rather with dramatic references to the Christ’s second coming. The verses just before today’s text predict the destruction of the Temple. Jesus tells his disciples they will hear rumors of wars, nations will rise against nations, there will be violence and earthquakes. It echoes our own time, doesn’t it? War in Ukraine, violence in our streets, upheaval in our elections, fires, tornadoes and hurricanes ravaging our land. And during this, a new age will dawn; the realm of God will break in. But no specific time is given. The only instruction is to watch and wait, to be ready, for only God knows the time. It will be sudden, unexpected, like the great flood in Noah’s age. We live between times, perched on the edge of a new world, yet still in an old world. Between the already and the not yet, in a realm described by the Greek word “engiken,” meaning “about to dawn.” We are taking part now in the kingdom of God, yet that kingdom has not yet fully dawned. How do we live in such in-between times? The key seems to be attentiveness. This is Advent living — living watchfully. Living in readiness —  readiness to help, to stand with neighbor, to name injustice where we see it, to look for signs of God’s realm and presence in every day, in every encounter, in every moment. This way we take part in the coming of God’s realm. This is the way of discipleship, which is one of Matthew’s overall themes. So in a sense, Jesus’ call to be intensely attentive and watchful in our lives is really the call to discipleship itself. As Advent begins the church year, it ushers in our lives as disciples. Being a disciple of Christ is being attentive to the other, to the world, to the presence of God all our days. You can find the rest of the commentary on our website. Thanks to this week's guest writer Barbara Chaapel. An order of worship for Nov. 27, 2022. This liturgy is free to use. A Thanksgiving meal prayer — Remembering our history, praying for peace by Hunter Steinitz Advent prayers, resources and lessons from Presbyterian Outlook The first Sunday in Advent — Weekly Christian Ed lesson by Joelle Brummit-Yale  IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Thanksgiving prayers for worship services and family meals A collection of Presbyterian Outlook Thanksgiving content. “Nones” and “dones” and Presbyterians After interviewing 200+ young adults with no religious affiliation, two PC(USA) pastors share how this growing population differs from the institutional church — and how these groups are similar. — Sue Pizor Yoder and Stephen Simmons Thanksgiving as a call to moral community James Calvin Davis explores the wisdom that Christian tradition brings to American Thanksgiving, as well as the ways in this holiday might prompt us to discern the imperatives of our faith in new ways.  Song of ascent Andrew Taylor-Troutman remembers a friend who passed away, who taught him the connection between a song of ascent and Psalm 23. Announcement expected Nov. 21 to name members of new commission to restructure the top level of the PC(USA) The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly also finalized the dates for the 2024 General Assembly. — Leslie Scanlon Armor of inclusivity A Uniform Standard Lesson for Nov. 27, 2022, by Richard Boyce. Horizons lesson four Rosalind Banbury explores "Sabbath and surrender" in Celebrating Sabbath. Download the FREE Blue Christmas Service: For worship planners or individual devotions, this six-page downloadable guide has prayers, readings and hymns for reflection on the sadness that sometimes also accompanies the joy of the holidays. Request the resource here.

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