THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT - JOY

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THIRD WEEK THEME: JOY

Sunday, December 12, 2010 - Light the three candles on your wreath and read together the following meditation:

FIRST READER: This is the third Sunday in Advent. Today, we light three purple candles (OR: Two purple candles and a pink candle). The first Sunday, we lit the candle of hope. On the second Sunday, we lit the candle of love. Today, we light the candle of joy. One thing that sometimes happens as we get ready to celebrate Jesus' birth is that we expect to be happy all the time. Joy is not the same as happy. Joy is a deeper feeling created by knowing that God cares for us. Joy is remembering that God sent Jesus so we would always know of God's care. During Advent, we pray that we may remember again God's gift of Jesus to the world and know the joy that gift brings to all people.

(Light the first, second, and third candles)


SECOND READER: When we look at the third candle, we remember God's promise of joy. God promised to send a Savior to the people. Today we read from the Gospel of Luke. In the Scripture, we read Mary's song of praise and joy. There must have been times when Mary was frightened, worried, fearful, and sad. But we have these words of joy even in a time when she was unsure of the future. Her words can guide us to look for the joy of God even when things may be uncertain for us.

FIRST READER: Read Luke 1:46b-55
 
DISCUSSION: How privileged we are to have this beautiful song of Mary. Can you imagine her singing the words written in Scripture? It is a testimony to her faith and joy at being chosen as God's servant.
Who are the people in our world who need God's joy?
What are our hopes for joy in our world today?
How do we help others know that God gives joy?

PRAYER: Dear God: Thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for the joy remembering Jesus' birth brings to us today. Help us live in such a way that our words and our actions help others know of the joy you give. AMEN.

Monday, December 13, 2010: Today read again Luke 1:46 -55. Make a list together of the things that bring joy to your lives. Write your own song of joy to God, or sing a song that expresses joy to God.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010: Is there someone you know who needs to hear words of joy? Make or select a card for that person and mail it today.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010: Joy is something we need in our city. Think about different leaders of our city. Select one leader of our city. Pray for that leader today.

Thursday, December 16, 2010: As we get ready to celebrate again the birth of Jesus, we sometimes get very busy. Today, take a ten-minute break. Sit quietly. If it helps you to concentrate, look at your Advent wreath. Pray, asking God's help to bring quiet and calm to a busy world.

Friday, December 17, 2010: Think about your family. Some may live with you. Others may be far away. Who in your family needs God's joy? Pray for this family member today.

Saturday, December 18, 2010: There are people in our neighborhoods, in our church, and in our community who need to know of God's peace. Select someone to visit today. Visit by phone or in person. Go as a family or by yourself. It doesn't necessarily have to be a visit to a home. Maybe there is someone you see in a place where you go to eat. Stop by today and talk with that person. Tell the person you visit one way he or she brings joy to you.

SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT - LOVE

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SECOND WEEK THEME: LOVE

FIRST READER: This is the second Sunday in Advent. Today, we light two purple candles. Last Sunday, we lit the candle of hope. This Sunday, we light the candle of love. One verse that many memorize and remember on this day is John 3:16, "God so loved the world..." some people may not know the love of other people. That makes it harder for them to understand God's love. During Advent, we pray that we may remember again God's gift of Jesus to the world and know that God's love for all people is the reason for this gift.

(Light the first and second candles.)


SECOND READER: When we look at the second candle, we remember God's love. When we read the words of the psalmist, we know of God's greatness and care. We remember God's love at Advent when we remember that God sent Jesus to us to help us know that God is loving and just.

FIRST READER: Read Isaiah 11:1-10

DISCUSSION: When we think of God's love, we might not always think of the words of the prophets. But when we read this picture of the peaceable kingdom, we are amazed by God's love that allows a child to lead.

Who are the people in our world who need the message of God's love?

What are our hopes for how people today can receive the message of God's love?

How do we help others know God's love?

PRAYER: Dear God: Thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for the words found in our Bible that help us remember your love and care. Help us see how we can bring God's message to the people we meet in our schools, at our jobs, and in our neighborhoods. Help us be messengers of God's love for everyone.

Monday, December 6, 2010: Read again Isaiah 11:1-10. Create a poster by drawing pictures of the wondrous things you see in the world around you that God has created. Create your picture of God's kingdom of peace. Give thanks for the world and all people in the world.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010: Is there someone you know who needs to hear words of God's love? Make or select a card for that person and mail it today.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010: Love is something we need in our church. Think about the people in our church. Select one person in our church. Pray for that person today.

Thursday, December 9, 2010: As we get ready to celebrate again the birth of Jesus, we sometimes get very busy. Today, take a ten-minute break. Sit quietly. If it helps you to concentrate, look at your Advent wreath. Pray, asking God's help to bring quiet and calm to a busy world.

Friday, December 10, 2010: Think about your family. Some may live with you. Others may be far away. Who in your family needs God's love? Pray for this family member today.

 Saturday, December 11, 2010: There are people in our neighborhoods, in our church, and in our community who need to know of God's love. Select someone to visit today. Visit by phone or in person. Go as a family or by yourself. It doesn't necessarily have to be a visit to a home. Maybe there is someone who waits on you at the grocery store. Stop by today and talk with that person. Tell the person you visit one way he or she brings peace to you.

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT - HOPE

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FIRST WEEK THEME: HOPE


Light the first candle on your wreath and read together the following meditation:

FIRST READER: This is the first Sunday in Advent. Today we light one purple candle. This is the candle of hope. Advent is a time of waiting and hoping. We wait for the day when we celebrate again the birth of Jesus. We hope that everyone will come to know God and to worship God.

(Light the first candle)


SECOND READER: When we look at the first candle we remember God's promise. God promised to send a Savior to the people. When we listen to our Scripture reading, we learn what the prophet Isaiah wrote about God. God fulfills the promises made to care for people. God is loving and just. God brings peace. This gives us hope. We look forward to the time when everything is fair, when the world is at peace, and all people are treated justly.

FIRST READER:  Read Isaiah 2:1-5
 
DISCUSSION: This Scripture offers us the hope of God's kingdom where there is peace and has the wonderful sentence, "…let us walk in the light of the Lord!"
Who are the people in our world who need hope?
What are the hopes we have for our world today?
How do we help others know that God gives hope?

PRAYER: Dear God: Thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for the words of the Prophet Isaiah that remind us that you are the source of our hope. Help us to remember to walk in the light of the Lord. AMEN


DURING THE WEEK


Monday, November 29, 2010: Today read again Isaiah 2:1-5. Pick one verse and memorize it.  How do you think this verse gives hope to people?

Tuesday, November 30, 2010: Is there someone you know who needs to hear words of hope? Make or select a card for that person and mail it today.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010: Hope is something we need in our world. Think about different leaders in the world. Select one world leader. Pray for that world leader today.

Thursday, December 2, 2010: As we get ready to celebrate again the birth of Jesus, we sometimes get very busy. Today, take a ten-minute break. Sit quietly. If it helps you to concentrate, look at your Advent wreath. Pray, asking God's help to bring quiet and calm to a busy world.

Friday, December 3, 2010: Think about your family. Some may live with you. Others may be far away. Who in your family needs God's hope? Pray for this family member today.

Saturday, December 4, 2010: There are people in our neighborhoods, in our church, and in our community who need to know of God's hope. Select someone to visit today. Visit by phone or in person. Go as a family or by yourself. It doesn't necessarily have to be a visit to a home. Maybe there is someone you always see at the library. Stop by today and talk with that person. Tell the person you visit one way he or she helps you feel hopeful.

Homeless Are People Too

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It’s a cold November morning here in Kansas City. I have no home, no job, no food, no transportation, no friends, no family, no clothes but what I am wearing and the one extra shirt I am carrying in a plastic bag, and three dirty one dollar bills some man in a suit gave me out front of Starbucks just a little bit ago. I really appreciated that $3 because now I can grab a bagel and a cup of coffee for breakfast. I am hungry.

My main concerns today are where I am going to eat, where am I going to sleep and how I am going to stay warm. It’s hard to think beyond today, because if tomorrow is like today then it’s too much to bear, so I don’t think about it. I have no plan but to survive today. I am sad.

People don’t look at me, oh yes they see me, but they don’t acknowledge me for fear I may hurt them, or ask them for money. I am not a part of society, I am outside of it. Regular people on the streets don’t seem to care; I am a bum, a no-good bum who should just go get a job and work for a living. I am broken.

How can I get a job? I have no clothes, I smell bad, I don’t interact well with others since people won’t dare talk to me I’ve lost practice. What’s normal, me or them? I really don’t know, I have forgotten. I’ve been homeless for four years now, that’s almost 1500 days I’ve been on the streets, it’s almost all I can remember. I am prisoner to the streets. I am scared.

I guess the worst part of being homeless is that I feel so alone. Oh I talk to a few of my fellow homeless comrades when at the soup kitchen, but that is pretty superficial conversation, “Hi, how are you?” crap. I do talk a little to the people that run the soup kitchen, and they are nice, and I really appreciate what they do for me. I understand they are trying to help and they even care about me, but their not my friend, not really. Their like the cashier at a grocery store. I am alone in a crowded city, and it’s the worse feeling ever!

My one wish, even more than the money I panhandle for, is that you would just acknowledge me. Look me in the eye, say “hello” or “how are you?” Treat me like a human being, like a person, a person with a heart, a soul. I have feelings too ya know? I have grown a little callous over the years, but you can soften me up, you can make me feel like a normal person again. Just love me, respect me because I am a person too. I am homeless, but I am a person too.

Jesus and Halloween

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I may get some hate mail on this one from the the Hyper-Religious types, but here I go!

I have celebrated Halloween all my life, and I was raised in a Christian home where I never heard my parents cuss, never saw them drink, smoke, chew or go with people who do (lol!) I was at church on Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, and any other time the doors were open. We loved Jesus, actually still love Jesus and we went trick or treating, and I loved it!

I honestly do not see why Christians (some, not all) get all up in a tizzy about it (yea, yea, pagan holiday ... whatever,) I've never sacrificed a cat, I haven't even been tempted to do that! I have never felt compelled to worship Satan, or do anything of the sort ... I just like the free candy and I like dressing up, since I can only do it once a year and not be looked at as a weirdo! I have seen, firsthand the kids whose parents don't let them celebrate Halloween ... they hate it! Of course the parents don't see it, but the kids miss out on a lot of fun, candy and social activity ... but I guess they won't be guilty of celebrating a pagan-satanic holiday either! Toss up I suppose!

I have to say I laugh when I get the sucker that's taped to a Religious Track, I shouldn't, but I do! Don't judge me for that, I am just being honest, and honesty is missing too much from Christian culture! 

Now, everyone has a right to do what they feel is right, no shame or judgment from me! I mean that, but this is my blog and I share my opinion ... if you don't like it, start your own blog!

The Friend We All Want

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What is a friend? Friends are people with whom you dare to be yourself. Your soul can be naked with them. They ask you to put on nothing, only to be what you are. They do not want you to be better or worse. When you are with them, you feel as a prisoner feels who has been declared innocent. You do not have to be on your guard. You can say what you think, as long as it is genuinely you. Friends understand those contradictions in your nature that lead others to misjudge you. With them you breathe freely. You can avow your little vanities and envies and hates and vicious sparks, your meannesses and absurdities, and in opening them up to friends, they are lost, dissolved on the white ocean of their loyalty. They understand. You do not have to be careful. You can abuse them, neglect them, tolerate them. Best of all, you can keep still with them. It makes no matter. They like you. They are like fire that purges to the bone. They understand. You can weep with them, sing with them, laugh with them, pray with them. Through it all--and underneath--they see, know, and love you. A friend? What is a friend? Just one, I repeat, with whom you dare to be yourself.
C. Raymond Beran, in Bits & Pieces, September 19, 1991, p. 3-4.

Your Best Life Later, Maybe

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I was talking to a friend of mine who had just finished reading all the Self-Help books written by all the best Motivational Speakers and not too long after all that has was thrust into the worst year of his life (up to this point!) We were trying to find the humor in the midst of the sadness and we thought the title of this blog entry was not only funny, but painfully true at times!

Life can definitely throw us a curve ball! It's rather ironic that right now at Mercy Church we are in a study on the book of Job, speaking of problems, issues and suffering! Wow, Job went through it!

Please don't get me wrong, I am still an eternal optimist! And believe we should hope and pray for the best! Definitely! But the older I get, now just a mere 41, I am coming to understand that we don't always have the "Best Life Now" ... sometimes it's "Later, Maybe." I guess the real question is what is a "Best Life" anyway? Is it stuff? Healthy? Happiness? Money? Friends? Success? Family? Love?

I would imagine it's different for each person, but when I think of the message of Job is that happiness is not found in "things" but found in Trusting God in and through it all; the good the bad, the ugly and even in the indifferent.