Service Location: the Andersons' (4061 S Cherokee St, Englewood)
Time: 10:00am
Dear Church,
I encouraged you all in last weeks email to find some time each day to reflect meaningfully on the coming of the Messiah. We sat down as a family to do this this week and couldn't quite find a devotional that did what we wanted to do, so I wanted to share what we came up with. We are using The Bible poem to hit the highlights of the Old Testament story leading with a focus on passages that anticipate the coming Messiah in some way. We started Day 1 on Sunday, but you can still jump in (either playing catch-up, or plan to skip some later readings). Each night this week we have been reading the portion of the poem, then the passage that goes with that section of the poem, and then reflecting together as a family on the ways we see hope in the coming passage. Starting on Sunday, we will look for peace in each passage. Find the readings here.
For the Choir: we will be singing the two advent songs we've been working on on December 14 as a part of our worship service. I have updated the recordings and pdfs of the sheet music for O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and Savior of the Nations, Come.
Advent continues this week with the Peace candle. On the podcast, Joe and Tim discuss Isaiah 11–12, noting that peace in Scripture is always paired with judgment. They explain that Isaiah promises a future Spirit-filled ruler from Jesse’s line who will bring righteous judgment—defending the meek while destroying wickedness—and that this judgment is the necessary pathway to lasting peace. Isaiah’s vision includes cosmic peace extending even to the animal kingdom, showing that all creation will be restored when the knowledge of the Lord fills the earth. The prophecy also promises reconciliation among Israel’s divided tribes and the inclusion of the Gentiles, who will seek the coming Messiah. In response to this salvation, Isaiah 12 portrays God’s people offering praise, embodying Advent’s call to anticipate God’s coming with joy, repentance, and hopeful expectation.
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Upcoming Events
Here are the details for Sunday's service:
Scripture Readings:
- Psalm: Psalm 72 (Karis)
- OT: Isaiah 11-12 (Ryan)
- NT: Romans 15:4-13 (Becca)
- Gospel: Matthew 3 Peace (David)
- Prayers of the People: Whitney
Songs:
- Song 1: Come, Let Us.. (73, G)
- Song 2: My Soul In Stillness.. (104, Am)
- Song 3: Come Thou Fount (75, D)
- Song 4: Creator of the Stars.. (102, D)
- Song 5: Psalm 23 (27, D)
- Song 6: Psalm 146 (56, D)
Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday!
Blessings,
Joe Anderson
Call: Tim | Homily: Joe | Eucharist: Stephen