December 10th, 2020

Beloved of God,
First off, I hope you are aware of our congregational meeting on December 20 immediately following the service. There will be opportunities in the coming week to get a look at the matters coming to the floor, and some meetings set up online to make sure you are able to join virtually if you need to. Stay tuned!
I love that the celebration of Advent is an act of rebellion against the busyness of the season. You cannot commit to the commercial hustle and bustle completely if you are also making time to meditate on what God has done in the coming of Christ, and looking forward to receiving Christ when He comes again. There isn’t enough space or time for both. Perhaps that forces a choice on us, and perhaps it's a choice we need to make anyway.
One of my readings today was from Psalm 126. I love Psalm 126. I think at this time of year it helps us look backward at all that God has done for us in the coming of Christ. It also reminds us to look forward; to note the fact that even if we go out weeping, we will return with songs of joy on our lips. The promise of Advent is that God has been willing to come among us to heal us and save us, and God will surely do it again. We practice receiving Christ at Christmas because it prepares our hearts to receive Him when he comes in power. It is an exercise in being ready. We prepare to sow the seeds of our faith even when we’re heartbroken, because we already know how our story ends.
Please join me this week in praying for:

• An end to this pandemic.
• Those who are sick right now, that they would find rest and healing.
• Doctors, nurses, paramedics, PA’s and other healthcare professionals working to keep us well.
• Those that are lonely, afraid and desperate in these hard days.
• Teachers and Students as they finish important end of term work.
• Those who are grieving.
• Our elected officials at the federal, state and local level.
• Those who will be traveling over the coming month.
• Those who will be going into Christmastide with a deeply felt absence.
• Those who are cold, and hungry, and have no place to rest.
• Each other (please email [email protected] if you’d like to be added to our prayer list).

You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world,


Marshall