Scripture: Isaiah 12:2-6, Philippians 4:4-7
Joy, maybe unlike happiness, is a practice of meaning-making and resilience. It is not a passive gift but an active verb that requires effort to cultivate, especially in challenging times. By drawing joy from “wells of salvation” and embracing that holy. work, can we become sources of hope, peace, love, and joy for ourselves and others?

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Scripture: Luke 1:68-79
The priest Zechariah sings a song of praise at the birth of his son, who will become John the Baptist. Like many of us, he looks for good news for his people and his nation. But, since God arrives and moves in the lives of children in these stories of Jesus’s Advent… perhaps we are being reminded that our deepest commitment is to the welfare of ALL children, wherever they may be…

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Scripture: Luke 21:25-36
As we begin the season of Advent: in which we wait with our ancestors and look for Christ’s coming into the world… we hear from Jesus himself. As an apocalyptic preacher, he shares with us news of a world ending… but we are to look for signs of a new world… not the world as we know it, but as God dreams it. How can we shift our vision to look for a God who does not arrive in a great cataclysm, but in a stable?

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Scripture: Psalm 126
The Psalm points us to a desert region in which water will yet flow again with God’s help. When we experience grief and dry times, how do we create new topographies of grace in which even the smallest streams of life may flow? How can we use our own desert experiences to bring life-giving water to others?

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Scripture: Psalm 46, Revelation 22:1-5
Our own Rev. James Gertmenian shares with us news of the glad river of faith which flows beneath our feet and can sustain us on the way of justice. How can we keep from singing?

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Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16
In a hungry and dry time, the prophet Elijah visits a widow who is sure she has only a crumb to sustain her. How are we invited to be transformed by the invitation to share what we have, when it is so tempting in trying times to turn inward?

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Scripture: Revelation 21:1-6
The Holy City described by John of Patmos shows us a map of interconnectedness and belonging which will have no end… and contrasts against the symbols and structures of empire which threaten our common life. We give thanks for all the pathways between us created by the saints of our lives and the grace of God.

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Scripture: Psalm 46
We welcome new life and gifts to our community through baptism and affirmation of faith. As we do so, we are reminded that Jesus taught us to pray daily for God’s care in “times of trial.” The Psalmist lets us know there may be raging waters, but the sure presence of God and beloved community may yet transform those rough seas to the living water we need.

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Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35
As we consider forgiveness, we hear a difficult parable from Jesus. Can we indeed forgive as we have been forgiven? How does God invite us to choose which economy we live in: one of boundless grace, or of mounting debts and accountability?

We are joined by special guest, artist Frederick Ndabaramiye, who gives testimony on his survival through violence in his home country of Rwanda, perseverance and adaptation in the face of disability and adversity, and hope and witness for others. You can also read Frederick’s written remarks here.

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Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34
As Jesus teaches to pray for daily bread, he connects his ancestors story of abundant care from God, but also the invitation to reflect on what we need, and the abundance of what may be shared.

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