Pamela McNeil is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Worship link for October to December Time: Oct 6, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every week on Sun, until Dec 22, 2024, 12 occurrence(s)
tossing platitudes down to us, (Sayings like….. ‘things happen for a reason, it will turn out okay, it will make you strong, God is just testing you’ …. and such nonsense)
You jump in
and grab our hands
saying
‘trust me,
I know the way out’
Theme: 1 Be on guard so your hearts are not weighed down (…) with the worries of this life. 2 Stand before the Son of man. 3 We lift our hearts to the Lord
Dec 1: Isaiah 40 – He tends his flock like a shepherd: Hegathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
As we prepare and plan our Christmas events, memories of loved ones pop up. The love we shared with special people still remains and this is a time that memories of those relationships return. Is there a Christmas decoration that reminds you of someone and warms you with joy? Sit with those emotions for a bit today. They are precious.
This image reminds me of a glass decoration which was part of a flower arrangement i sent my parents the first year i was not able to come home for Christmas. It was a plexiglass center-piece that lit up. Years later, mom told me that the flower arrangement was the only decoration they put up that year, and it gave them as much joy as possible, without having family around them that Christmas. I now have that ornament, and feel the longing for family along with the joy of many years of gathering. Two sides to memories, right?
Prayer – Ever present God, you are the source of all love. Through your gift of Jesus we know the joy of salvation, and live in the hope of uniting in your kingdom. Christ, shine through our darkness. Amen
scripture: Isaiah 40: 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
This passage reminds me that God is with people who have come upon hard times. Many of our ancestors came to this place of goodness through much hardship. As we gather in comfort , take time to appreciate their perseverance. Pause and reflect on the special things that decorate your home. Is there an especially favorite decoration that would be the one you would choose, if you could only keep one?
This picture shows some of my favorites: a candle snuffer gifted to us; quilted table linen made by my mom; but the item I’m thinking of as most precious is the Christmas candle bridge. It reminds me of my heritage, family gatherings and lighting advent candles. I give thanks for the warm glow of soft light and gentle hearts.
Is there an ornament you would need to keep if you could only keep one? Share the story in the comments please.
Let us pray: Glorious God, your precious son Jesus is our hope and desire for a world bruised and torn apart. Remind us that you are present even in the tough times. Comfort those who’s life is in danger, be with those who are homeless, those who are fleeing from war, those whose lives have been turned upside down by unexpected events. Remind us that in your love all are gathered and comforted. Amen
Affirming God, as we desperately wait for Jesus we ponder: How often do you speak to us, and how often do we miss it? How often do you whisper blessings over us that we refuse to hear?
Open our hearts. Create space in us to not only hear YOUR words, but to believe the good news tucked between them.
We are hungry for your wisdom, so speak to us now.
With hope and curiosity, we listen.
With hope and curiosity, we dare to begin again.
Amen.
Theme: 1. nation against nation – 2. see the end and the coming of the Son – the more we see the end, the more important it is to provoke one another to love.
finding Grace in Surprising Ways 