Four week Advent series talking about Joy – about the happiness in the Christmas story.
| Video Message | Resources |
| Week 1: Zechariah’s Song | Monday Memo notes Scripture Reading this Week Want to read more about Zechariah? As promised yesterday, here’s a link to what we call “Zechariah’s Song,” his poem of praise after his abilities to speak and hear are restored: Luke 1.67-79: Luke 1:67-79 – NRSV The Birth of John the Baptist for All Ages This animated retelling of John’s birth and naming can be forgiven for getting a few of the details wrong (i.e., Zechariah had lost both his ability to speak and hear); it’s really well done…his joy simply cannot be contained: Zechariah’s Benedictus: His Name is John |
| Week 2: A Remarkable Teenager and Her Magnificat | Monday Memo notes Song for the Week “Breath of Heaven,” covered by Hannah Kerr – Hannah Kerr – Breath of Heaven A Dive Deeper into Mary’s Magnificat More on Mary as a teenage mom – We Forget Mary Was A Teenager – FAMVIN NewsEN More on the revolutionary message of The Magnificat (and lots more) – The Subversive Magnificat: What Mary Expected The Messiah To Be Like |
| Week 3: Good News to All People | Monday Memo notes Prayer for the Week Adapted from The Presbyterian Outlook (12/20): God, in this season of Advent, help us discern where You are already at work to renew and repair Your good but broken creation. Help us to trust that Your future, even now, is coming to realization in our midst. And help us to join together to rebuild and restore your world on the foundation of the justice You envision for us in Christ, amen. |
| Week 4: Anna’s Wait is Over | Monday Memo notes A Prayer for the Week A Prayer Adapted from Philippians 1.25 and 3.13: Lord, until our dying day may we continue to progress in the faith, moving from where we are to where You’re taking us, leaving behind whatever we must in order to stretch forward to what You have for us next, and through this pursuit may You lead us into greater and greater joy, amen. A Video Recommendation from our Christian Education Committee Here’s a short, special edition video about Christmas from “The Chosen”: The Chosen Special Christmas Episode A Song for the Day Anna’s fallibility, with which we can all relate, led me (Pastor Chris) to find this creative take on the well-known Christmas carol, “O Come All Ye Faithful.” – I hope you find it as moving as I did: “O Come All You Unfaithful” – O Come, All You Unfaithful Resources for Celebrating Christmas at Home with Your Family This Week From The Presbyterian Outlook, here are a bunch of resources to use with your family anytime this week, but they’re specifically intended for Christmas Eve: December 24 — Christmas Eve: Family faith formation @ home |