Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Hosea 6:1-6; I Thessalonians 1:2-10

“We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ”

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NRSV

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul addresses this young church as friends, encouraging them to continue in their newly found Christian life. He gives thanks to God for their strong faith in turning toward a living God and away from idols in spite of their suffering. Paul spoke the word of God to them and in prayer, remembered their faith, their love and their hope.

“For we know, brothers and sisters, beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers…”

1 Thessalonians 1:4-7 NSRV

Paul continues, reminding the Thessalonians that they were chosen by God to share the gospel and live a life worthy of Him. With power and the Holy Spirit, they became messengers of the word, becoming a model for all people. Paul spoke of the coming of Jesus Christ from heaven as God had promised, giving them strength, courage and patience while they waited.

Paul’s message is timeless; it reminds us that we too have been chosen by God to actively seek and share Christ with others. God, through the Holy Spirit, has placed in us the power to change lives, to act and live what we believe. Are we prepared to be the messengers God asks us to be? Are we ready to serve a living God in the here and now while we wait?

Throughout this season of advent as we prepare and wait to celebrate the birth of the Christ child, we also prepare and wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ. And as we start to remove the clutter from our lives and prepare our hearts, let us respond to the Good News of God just as Paul and the Thessalonians did. May we too serve and wait with FAITH and LOVE, and be inspired by HOPE each and every day for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come.

Offered on December 4, 2014, by Heidi Marcotte, mission leader, youth advocate, passionate listener, child of God.

Psalm 79; Micah 5:1-5a; Luke 21: 34-38

R edeemer                                                                                    Lord, make me ready;

                                                                                                      Let me stand

E ternal                                                                                         before you on

                                                                                                      this day with

A lmighty God and Father                                                             my heart

                                                                                                       uplifted to you.

D evotion                                                                                     With the promise

                                                                                                    of life eternal,

Y our Faithful Servant                                                                 I remain your

                                                                                                    faithful servant.

Offered on December 3, 2014, by Susan Sorrento, valued friend, talented parish administrator, child of God.

Psalm 79; Micah 4:6-13; Revelation 18:1-10

Micah 4:6-13:“You shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued, there the Lord will redeem you from the hands of your enemies.

Revelation 18:1-10: Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her (Babylon), my people, so that you do not take part in her sins, and so that you do not share in her plagues.”

Babylon was a beautiful city, but its many charms were lost on the Jewish exiles brought there in 586b.c. They were prisoners of war, forced from their home land, and no golden city could ease their sorrow. But it is from this city of famous hanging gardens that the Lord will redeem them. It is here, surrounded by architectural wonder and living among cultured captors, that God will come for them.

In a vision of the end of all things, a voice from heaven calls the faithful out of the new Babylon – Rome. Redemption can’t be found in the city, all that’s there is a quagmire of human greed, abuse, and power.

How can anyone hear God’s voice when the pulse of the city changes the very beating of the human heart? It’s too easy to ignore God’s call because life in the fast-paced city is so very captivating. And that’s the point: it’s captures the human heart so completely that it is easy to forget who created all things. Everything centers on city life, not on God – it’s worshipping the cosmopolitan lifestyle rather than God. The old-fashioned word for that? Idolatry.

So what are we to make of it all? Is the city where God comes for us, or is it temptation incarnate? It depends on where our souls reside. Are we at home only with God, or do we belong to the city wholeheartedly? Jesus wasn’t born in a palace, and he didn’t live an uptown life. He wept for Jerusalem not because it was evil, but because so many sold their souls to its life. God’s presence is in every human dwelling, so enjoy the beauty and variety Babylon offers. Just don’t mistake it for your permanent home or your heart’s desire.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come.

Offered on December 2, 2014