Looking into the lectionary - Prep for Advent 4 and Christmas Eve 🎄

December 22, 2024 Fourth Sunday of Advent  Micah 5:2-5a; Psalm 80:1-7; Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-55 Václav Havel, a playwright turned Communist dissident in 1970s Czechoslovakia, refers to hope as an “orientation of the heart; it transcends the world as it is immediately experienced and is anchored somewhere beyond its horizons.” Havel’s hope sustained him, though he was imprisoned and his work banned, and eventually led him to become president of a more tolerant and open Czechoslovakia. We can learn from Havel’s example as we explore embodied Advent hope. The lectionary passages for this fourth Sunday of Advent turn us toward a narrative pattern of hope. Hope is essential to our humanity, a fundamental ingredient to surviving hardship. Each passage for this Sunday turns us beyond what is immediately experienced, anchoring Christians in the hope of our coming Christ. Micah, the eighth-century prophet, pens this messianic poem (Micah 5:2-5a) against a backdrop of Assyrian destruction of the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the deportation of God’s people from their homes. Their hope resides in a ruler, a savior, coming from Bethlehem, and from the Judean clan of Ephrathah, linking him to the ancestral line of King David. Like the pastoral prayer led in our worship services, Psalm 80:1-7 raises the concerns of God’s people. The people need restoration. The people need God’s promised salvation. The people need God’s presence. “Let your face shine” (Psalm 80:3,7). Presenting their needs to God in prayer reflects their hope that God hears and God acts. Preceding Hebrews 10:5-10 is a lengthy section citing Jeremiah’s prophecy that God will make a new covenant with Israel, a covenant of belonging and grace. “I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Hebrews 8:10). This new covenant, as we read in this Sunday’s passage from Hebrews, is realized in the life and death of Jesus Christ. Christ is the embodiment of our hope, the fulfillment of God’s promise. The scenes painted by Luke 1:39-55 reveal how hope is not only pondered in our minds but felt and experienced within our bodies. The baby in Elizabeth’s womb “leaped” when it heard Mary’s greeting. Elizabeth responds to her hope-filled baby with an embodied cry of joy. Mary’s body cannot contain her feelings — to speak is not enough, she must sing; her soul “magnifies” and celebrates the hope thrumming in her heart and from her throat. With only a few days left until Christmas, we might pause here to consider how Advent hope breaks into our present experience. How is your hope embodied? Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Order of worship — December 22, 2024, by Teri McDowell Ott This Beautiful Day: Daily Wisdom from Mister Rogers reviewed by Amy Pagliarella Roots, thorns and joy: Navigating complex family history during the holidays by Chris Burton Every Day for Everyone: 365 Devotions from Genesis to Revelation reviewed by Amy Pagliarella Order of worship — December 24, 2024, by Teri McDowell Ott Christmas Eve and beloved community by Teri McDowell Ott Want the worship resources for December 15, 2024? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... While overall PC(USA) membership continues to decline, new worshiping communities maintain their growth Rates of decline in membership and congregations have remained steady in recent years. —  Layton Williams Berkes Addressing the hurt that also feels holy PC(USA) pastor and researcher Erin Raffety and neurodivergent director of ministry Ellen White discuss how neurodivergent youth are reshaping youth ministry in innovative, faithful ways. Watch a conversation between Erin, Ellen and Outlook Social Media Producer Jesy Littlejohn today at 4:10 pm! New Interim Unified Agency of the PC(USA) takes next step in reimagining work going forward Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries will join with TFE. — Mike Ferguson At-home Christmas liturgy Here is a tool to invite the holy into the day. — Rose Schrott Taylor  2025 Grawemeyer Religion Award Goes to Rabbi and Disability Advocate Julia Watts Belse Georgetown professor’s book, "Loving Our Own Bones," inspires reappraisal of disability. Resources for grief and loss Amy Pagliarella suggests the resources for grief pastors, caregivers, and loved ones will want on hand, to reference or offer to others in need.  Outside Supreme Court, religious protesters mostly rally in favor of transgender rights‘ As a trans person myself, I know that I’m just as much an image of God as a cisgender, heterosexual person of whatever color, race and creed,’ said the Rev. M.E. Eccles, a trans Episcopal priest. — Jack Jenkins Tech Agnostic: How Technology Became the World’s Most Powerful Religion — And Why It Desperately Needs a Reformation  Technology's promises of human progress, potential and possibilities give it permission to exploit marginalized people, increase inequality and frequently adopt the worst of religion. — Mike Goodwin on "Tech Agnostic"

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, December 16 and Sunday, December 22, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, December 16, 2024 - That we strengthen our global unity rather than casting blame and sowing divisions.
• Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - That God protect all civilians impacted by the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
• Wednesday, December 18, 2024 - That there'll be peace between Russia and Ukraine
• Thursday, December 19, 2024 - That we seek out opportunities to show love to God and our neighbors.
• Friday, December 20, 2024 - That we remember those who died in service to their country.
• Saturday, December 21, 2024 - That we remember the sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross.
• Sunday, December 22, 2024 - That our leaders have the courage and wisdom to confront the racial divisions within our country.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, December 8, 2024

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: Some of our best memories of Christmas involve singing some of our favorite songs and carols. Whether they’re secular or sacred, they remind...

World Evangelical Alliance - Interceding for Syria and Its People: A call for prayer

Interceding for Syria and Its People: A Call for Prayer Alongside the churches in Syria, the World Evangelical Alliance along with the Middle Eastern and North African Regional Alliance are calling for a week of prayer of fast beginning on 11th December 2025. With the abrupt political and social changes in Syria, we ask the global church to join us together in prayer. “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” -Isaiah 58:6 Let us pray for: Peace and Stability in Syria Pray for a peaceful transition in the ongoing regime change, resulting in justice, stability, and prosperity for all Syrians. Kindly ask for God’s wisdom to guide global and regional leaders involved in shaping Syria’s future. Protection of Christian Communities Pray for the safety of all Christian communities, churches, and leaders in Syria as they navigate this period of uncertainty. Please intercede against threats posed by rising radical groups, asking for God’s shield over His people. Wisdom for Church Leaders Pray for clarity, wisdom, and strength for Christian leaders ministering to their congregations amid adversity. Kindly ask God to provide them with discernment as they shepherd His flock in this challenging times. Return and Restoration Pray for the safe return of displaced individuals, including approximately 10,000 Christians, to their homes in Aleppo and other regions. Please lift up those uniting into their communities, asking for resources, opportunities, and support for their rebuilding efforts. Radicalism and its evil Kindly intercede against the influence of radical groups, praying for the establishment of a just and secure society. Please ask God for peace to replace conflict and for God’s hand to dismantle forces of oppression. Unity and Faith Pray for unity among believers in Syria, that they may remain steadfast in faith and be a light to others. Kindly ask for boldness and perseverance in their witness, sharing the hope of the Gospel. Let us approach this week of prayer with the faith and hope, believing that God is at work in Syria. May our sincere intercession contribute to peace, freedom, and God’s glory in the region. Kindly Sign Up and join us on December 18th at 5.00PM CET (4.00PM GMT) for an hour of prayer with leaders in Syria, the Middle East region and the broader global community.

Sign Up here Over two billion Christians in the world today are represented by three world church bodies. The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is one of those, serving more than 600 million evangelicals belonging to churches that are part of 143 national Evangelical Alliances in 9 regions. Launched in London in 1846, the WEA unites evangelicals across denominations for prayer, evangelism, mission, theological education, religious freedom, human rights advocacy, relief, and engagement in a wide range of social issues. It speaks with one voice to United Nations, governments, and media in public or through behind-the-scenes diplomacy on issues of common concern to the Church. For more information, visit worldea.org WEA has been a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1980. WEA is audited annually by an independent public accounting firm. WEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In the United States, your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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Looking into the lectionary - Big, bad John and his Grinch-like greeting

December 15, 2024 Third Sunday of Advent  Luke 3:7-18 I had a pastoral colleague who had a distinctive and disarming way of responding when people asked her how she was: “How are you doing today, Sally?” “God is good,” she would reply. “Hey, Sally, how are you?” “The Lord is faithful,” she would say. When asked about herself, she always responded by saying something first about God. “God is gracious.” “God is kind.” “The Lord is good.” For her, it was a way of saying that her life had meaning in relationship to God. A good and gracious and faithful God was the larger context in which she set her own life. Before she talked about herself, she had to talk about God. You ask about her, but she points beyond herself. Don’t look at me. Look at the Lord! In this way, Sally reminds me of John the Baptist. I’ll admit that I find John one of the more challenging characters in Scripture. The biblical passages about John mostly come our way during Advent, during this time when Christmas is in sight and we’re trying to be happy and bright and joyful. We get out the special decorations, the trees and the poinsettias, the garland and the manger scenes, and all the rest. Maybe we make a special effort to come to church. Maybe we put on that Christmas sweater with a winsome snowman or a jubilant elf. We’re trying to feel the spirit of the season as we make our way to the pew. Then we open the Bible and who is waiting for us? Big, bad John with his Grinch-like greeting. You brood of vipers, you bunch of snakes. What are you doing here? You have to change your lives. You have to repent. Happy holidays, everyone! He is a hard man. And it’s a hard message. And it doesn’t sound much like holly-jolly Christmas. But two things really impress me about John the Baptist. First, I am amazed by how people respond to his words. His is a sermon about sacrifice and commitment and looking after others and sharing your wealth and being fair and honest and righteous. Repent, turn around, live right. Give up your extra coat. Offer your abundance. Change your hearts. Change your lives. Great crowds show up to hear this hard message. ... Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Thanks to this week's writer John Wurster. Order of worship — December 15, 2024, by John Wurster Practicing Christ’s patterns by Teri McDowell Ott ​Zechariah’s prophecy (December 15, 2024) by Lucus Levy Keppel  Holiday reading by Amy Pagliarella Want the worship resources for December 8, 2024? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Resources for grief and loss Amy Pagliarella suggests the resources for grief pastors, caregivers, and loved ones will want on hand, to reference or offer to others in need.  Sit down, and rest The world will wear me down unless I demand otherwise, writes Dartinia Hull. Two Presbyterian churches receive $175,000 grants to maintain their vitality First Presbyterian Church of Fargo and First Presbyterian Church of Taos are two of 24 recipients for National Fund for Sacred Places grants. A key day of the 227th General Assembly will be spent out in the community GA planners say the Presbytery of Milwaukee and its partners will help determine what Community Day will be. — Mike Ferguson Bishop Gene Robinson, first openly gay Episcopal bishop, preaches defense of McBride Robinson voiced deep frustration with the critics of U.S. Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, who is the first openly transgender person elected to Congress and an ordained Presbyterian elder. — Jack Jenkins Looking forward to the 227th General Assembly The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly hears how plans are proceeding. — Mike Ferguson Got an empty church lawn? Why not turn it into a dog park? For some churches, starting a dog park turns underused church property into a place for community. — Bob Smietana Austin Seminary and Schreiner University launch innovative MDiv/MBA dual degree program to prepare future faith-based leaders Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Schreiner University have partnered to offer a dual degree program blending theology and business education. — Austin Seminary An Advent Candle Liturgy by Dr. Montisa Anntoinette Watkins and Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis — Free for a limited time!