Hummelstown UCC Podcast

Genesis 1:1-5; Matthew 2:1-12 Modern Herald - Audre Lorde
“There are no new ideas. There are only new ways of making them felt.”

OPENING MEDITATION
“The beginning is always today”
-Mary Shelley

Matthew 1:18-25; Modern Herald: James Baldwin

Lots of angels appear in the biblical story of Christ’s birth with a consistent message,
“Do not be afraid!” When the angel visits Joseph this week, he is wrestling with the
contrast of good news with the difficulties of the world. What can we hear from the
angel’s message to Joseph this year? Join us on this final Sunday of Advent as we
prepare for the love of God entering the world again.
-Hark to Angels, Heralds of the Love of our Faith

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Luke 1:39-55

Listen to heralds of joy this week! In the story of Mary and Elizabeth, Mary was in
need of good news before she could herald for God. Before she could sing her
song, she needed to hear God’s good news and love for her first. Her herald was
her cousin, Elizabeth. Who have been heralds for you reminding you that no matter
what you are loved by God? Join as we Hark to the herald, Elizabeth, to find joy in
the spirit this week.

-Hark to Elizabeth, Herald of the Joy of our Faith

Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8

John the Baptist was the herald for Jesus’ ministry. He prepared the way for Jesus by
calling for peace and justice, sometimes very bluntly. This Sunday, we will focus
ourselves on his message. How does his view of the good news inspire us? How does
it challenge us? Let’s Hark to the herald, John the Baptist, so we can discern God’s
calling to peace.
-Hark to John, Herald of the Peace of our Faith

Isaiah 2:1-5; Mark 13:24-37

“Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at
the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.”
-Modern Herald, Augustine of Hippo

Matthew 25:31-46; Psalm 100: All Lands Summoned to Praise God; Ezekiel 34:11-24

Hear ye, hear ye! Everywhere and all people. Lift your voices. Shout it to the mountaintops! It’s ok to have fun praising God! Don’t be shy. Bask in the joy that comes only from God. There are times for seriousness but also times for revelry! So, laugh. Loosen up. Play. Be happy. God loves to see you smile.
-Maren Christine Tirabassi

Mathew 25:14-30; Psalm 123: Supplication for Mercy; Judges 4:1-9

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.
-Melody Beattie

Matthew 25:1-13; Psalm 70: Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies; Amos 5:18-24; Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-20

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”
-Oprah Winfrey

Matthew 23:1-12; Psalm 107:1-7; 33-37; Joshua 3:7-17

Gracious God, oil the hinges of our hearts’ doors that they may swing gently and easily to welcome your coming.
-Prayer from New Guinea

Matthew 22:34-46; Psalm 90:1-6; 13-17; Deuteronomy 34:1-12

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
-Lao Tzu