Advent derives from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.” Prophets, forerunners, and messengers tell of the advent – or coming – of our God in Christ. Zechariah, the father of John, sings of the day when the Messiah will come and “the dawn from on high shall break upon us.” Some years later John himself tells us to prepare for Christ’s coming by examining our own lives and the world around us. We should not be complacent in the face of injustice, but instead seek forgiveness and strive for lives that bear fruit according to God’s vision for the world. All the baptized are called to be such messengers, participating in the sharing of the gospel. In so doing we prepare the way for the coming of Jesus and assist all people in capturing a vision of the “salvation of God.” In so doing we remind one another of God’s presence and blessing in the darkness and in the light. Join us this Sunday and for our Midweek Wednesday Advent services (see below for details) as we further explore and experience ways we are “Blessed in the Darkness and in the Light.”
The scriptures for this Reign of Christ Sunday are Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79, and Luke 3:1-6. Songs for this Sunday are #264 “Prepare the Royal Highway”, #255 “There’s a Voice in the Wilderness”, and #239 “Hark, the Glad Sound!”. We give thanks to this week’s Worship Leaders, Production Crew, Musicians, and Deacon Bri!