In the threshold of calling, God calls us to bring all of who we are created to be into the fullness of the life we live – and to join together in a shared life of rebuilding and reshaping a world where all live free.

Our body is the threshold where we encounter God.  The body of Christ – our bodies together in One Body – is where the world encounters God.  This Body, this is where Christ is coming to life in the world right now, and we are a part of that.

At the Threshold of Trouble – the gap between the world as it is, and the world as God is re-creating it to be –  Jesus walks toward the trouble, and expects us to do the same. 

In the waters of baptism, Jesus welcomes us into the threshold of belonging – each of us God’s beloved child.

In every threshold, God is with us liberating and empowering us into the next new thing.  Thresholds open up the opportunity for us to pause and to ask – Where have I been and what have I learned there? What is being made manifest here and now?  And, how shall I now live?

What is your song of Christmas?  How will you bear God in the world in the unfolding days to come?  How will you share the birth of Christ in the world? 

As we continue with our Advent theme Embracing Love and Tender Mercy, our worship centered on monologues adapted from Carol Howard Merritt's "I Am Mary."  The monologues were adapted by Jessica Powell, with permission of the author.

With the world whirling around her, in this moment of calm, Mary hears of the Christ to come, and embraces a love and tender mercy that will upend and change the world for good.  The images and art discussed in the sermon can be found, along with the sermon text, at https://www.togetherweserve.org/post/the-call-of-mary-luke-1-26-38-first-sunday-of-advent

The practice of gratitude is a daily practice.  Every minute of every day.  God is near. And, every year, once a year – on Thanksgiving – no matter what’s going on in the world – we stop and give thanks.  

As we celebrate the Reign of Christ, we sing our part in God’s new song that sings of loving God and loving neighbor.