November 29, 2023 Weekly Update
Well, did you get all your shopping done? We’ve had Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and yesterday was Giving Tuesday! We’ve made it through the consumer launch of the holiday season. But what about Sunday? What was last Sunday? Last week we reflected on Reign of Christ Sunday, and we remembered that Christ is King of our lives, and calls us to help him build a different kind of kingdom. We worship an upside down King who turns the status quo, injustices, and pain of the world upside down so that the last shall be first, and the weak made strong.
This Sunday we begin the season of Advent. We countdown with anticipation for the arrival of our newborn King. God enters the world with all the majesty and power and might of a little baby born to humble parents in the silence of the night.
Despite the joy we feel during the holidays as we anticipate Christmas Day, many of us hold other feelings and weighty burdens: anxiety, estrangement, grief, pain, and fear. Our world and our communities continue to face violence, heartache, climate crisis, and an unknown future. We are weary.
How does a weary world rejoice? That’s our theme this Advent. Join us for worship as we reflect on ways to hold our joy and weariness together. Come to be nurtured and reminded that our newborn king was born into a weary world.
This series come with great resources, too – Advent Calendars for children and adults, a daily devotional with scripture, reflections, and music, and midweek poetry prayers. We’ll share all this resources in person and online in the coming week.
Advent Blessings,
Pastor Jared
