Abide: Advent 2024

The final verse of the classic carol O Little Town of Bethlehem concludes, “O come to us, abide with us our Lord Emmanuel.” Yet all too often life leaves us asking, “Where is God in the midst of pain and hurt?” The Christmas story assures us that God is right here beside us, working to make things right. That’s our focus this December: discovering God’s abiding presence in our lives.

The Days Are Coming

First Sunday of Advent: Hope

Main Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16

The Sermon in a Sentence: We can have hope, not because of the accidents of history or naive optimism; we can have hope because God is good.

The Day is Coming

Second Sunday of Advent: Peace

Main Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11.

The Sermon in a Sentence: Wherever we feel that we are not as we should be, and wherever we see that the world is not as it should be, we can find peace in the fact that God will get it done: in the world and in us.

God’s Song

Third Sunday of Advent: Joy

Main Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20

The Sermon in a Sentence: God sings a song of joy over us, and our lives are a song of joy back to God.

Mary’s Song

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love

Main Scripture: Luke 1:39-55.

The Sermon in a Sentence: There are Marys everywhere—ordinary people with extraordinary faith—for those with eyes to see.

The Surprises of Age

First Sunday after Christmas

Main Scripture: Luke 2:22-38

The Sermon in a Sentence: Age does not disqualify you in God’s eyes.