The Scripture Readings this week are:
- From the Jewish Scriptures: Jeremiah 18:1-6
- Psalm 25 (VU p.752)
- From the Gospel: Luke 21:25-36
The Hymns this week are:
- O What a Wonderful Gift (insert)
- #2 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
- #708 My Lord What a Morning
- #481 Sent Forth By God's Blessing
As a sung response to the lighting of the Advent Candles this year we will be singing MV#115 Behold, Behold I Make All Things New.
The theme for this week is Birth Means Tearing Down the Old
Early Thoughts: Birth is a time of great hope but also great change. While much may be gained, there may also be things lost.
Whenever a child is born the lives of the people around the child are changed, permanently. And some people have trouble adapting to/accepting that reality.
The same thing is true about changes in our society or in our economy or in our communities. CHange and the start of something new means that something has to be let go (at least) or even torn apart. THe fear of that loss sometimes keeps us stuck in a place that is no longer life giving. OR the wish to go back to what once was keeps us from seeing the possibilities of the "new normal".
This week we will visit the potter's house and talk about rebuilding. We will also reflect on adapting to the reality of a "new normal". At the same time we will name some of the pain that comes with making those shifts.
After all, Christmas is all about the new thing that is happening. It is about the birth of hope and possibility. How can we free ourselves to embrace it wholeheartedly?
--Gord
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