Scripture lessons for the Second Sunday of Advent

Aert De Gelder

The scripture lessons for the Second Sunday of Advent comes to us from Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 1:68-79.

Devotional for December 3

Immanuel - “God with us”

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”

Jesus the Messiah is known to us by many names. Those names may be based on scripture, tradition, or our own understanding. I’ve always most appreciated the name of Immanuel, from Matthew’s account of the Gospel. 

The idea that The God of all creation would choose to become so intimate with us, to share the joys and help us bear the sorrows of our lives as a constant presence is both awesome, and deeply comforting to me. God is with us, not leading from out in front, not prodding us from behind, but at our side, our eternal companion.

God’s presence encourages us to be fully present with God as well, exactly where we were created to be, our rightful place.

This Advent season let us be mindful of whose we are and who we are called to be, with God, as God is with us. 

Dean Diers

This week at Stevi UMC

Monday: 

1:00 pm, Drop-in Bible Study @ TLC
7:00 pm, Living Clean

Tuesday: 
7:00 pm, Choir practice
 
Wednesday:
8:00 am, WIC
10:00 am, Luke-Acts Bible study

Thursday:
7:00 pm, Ad Council

Friday:

10:00 am, UMW Christmas party

5:00 pm, Clothes Closet Christmas party

Saturday:

8:00 am, UMM breakfast

Sunday:
10:15 am, Praise singing
10:30 am, 61st Hanging of the Greens
10:45 am, Church school
11:30 am, Fellowship time

6:00 pm, Book Discussion group

Advent has begun!

The joyous anticipation of Christmas begins today with the First Sunday of Advent. In keeping with Stevi UMC tradition, we began our Advent journey with the 61st Hanging of the Greens worship service.

Thanks this morning to: Amanda Hermes (Nursery), Dave Lockman (Praise music), Hazen & Katie Rose (Acolytes), Paul Ludington (Liturgist), Lisa Nichols/Belinda Alkula (video), Hazel Smith (Organist), Julie Ludington (Pianist), Marilyn Murphy (Chimes), Brenda Bolton (Choir), Cammie Edgar (Holy Moly), Sara Malo (Altar Guild), Chuck Petty & Kathy Wood (Offering counters), and Arlene Halfhide & Mary Costello (Greeters).

Thanks to the music ministry for sharing their praise of God this morning through scripture, reflections, music, and of course, the amazing fellowship time with tables groaning with holiday treats: Nilda Bishop, Brenda Bolton, Ruth Cleveland, Bob Edgar, Judy Fraser, Carol Goffe, Debbie Guthrie, Molly Hackett, Arlene Halfhide, Lenny Johnson, Ellyn Jones, Donna Lewis, Dave Lockman, Julie Ludington, Paul Ludington, Don Nelson, Lisa Nichols, Connie Rakiecki, Hazel Smith, Gretchen Spiess, and Julie Weindel.

Devotional for the First Sunday of Avent

I AM . . .

“I AM the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51); I AM the Light of the World (John 8:12); I AM the Door of the Sheep (John 10:7, 9); I AM the Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14); I AM the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25); I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6); and I AM the True Vine (John 15:1, 5).

“Jesus declares ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” (John 8:56–59).

The violent response of the Jews to Jesus’ “I AM” statement indicates they clearly understood what He was declaring—that He was the eternal God incarnate. Jesus was equating Himself with the "I AM" title God gave Himself in Exodus 3:14.

During Advent we welcome Jesus as a tiny babe, helpless as all infants, come to us from humble beginnings. The cozy feelings of the babe in the manger temper our feelings of Jesus the man, God Incarnate.  

Let us never forget the Triune God chose to come to us, lowly as we are, below the angels. When I contemplate the Great I AM as this tiny infant, I am overwhelmed by the breadth and depth of the love and desire the mighty Triune has to bring us, created beings, into the presence of the Holy of Holies. 

Let us always desire to let God’s light shine forth to all the nations.

Joey Diers

World Aids Day

World AIDS Day, observed each year on December 1, provides an opportunity for people around the world to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS and to show their compassion and support to those living with the disease.
 

If you could save a life, would you? Just Save One. www.umglobalaidsfund.com

Advent - Christmas Devotional begins tomorrow

                                                                         Simon Vouet

The Names of Jesus

The Advent Devotional has been prepared especially for your use during this Advent Season (December 2– 24). 

Starting on Christmas Day and continuing until Epiphany (January 6), prayers are offered from across the centuries. These are presented to remind us that God's presence doesn't end with the unwrapping of the last present on Christmas Day.

In the days and weeks to come, take a moment from your day and consider, "Which Name of Jesus speaks to me today?"