Special music by Sheryl Clifton.

When faced with challenges in life, we typically take a defensive posture. This look like “hunkering down” as we brace for whatever storm we are encountering. We might isolate ourselves, keep quiet, and look away from the source of discomfort so we don’t feel as much anxiety when it approaches. This is an understandable response to any painful or undesirable situation.

But this week’s passage from Luke suggests a different reaction. In this passage, Jesus tells his disciples to stand up and raise their heads when they are facing the cataclysms of the end times. There will be distress among the nations, roaring of the seas, and some will faint from fear, but Christ tells his followers to stand up and raise their heads because these are signs that their redemption is drawing near. In his warning of future suffering, Jesus tells his disciples that they have the promise of redemption to look forward to regardless of the difficulties they face. This week, as we celebrate the first week of Advent, we will reflect on how hope may look like courage, and the courage we need to have hope.

Prayers  of the People by Sylvia Flint.

This Sunday is the last Sunday of the liturgical calendar year. It is referred to as the “Reign of Christ” Sunday, but it has also been called “Christ the King” Sunday. Our passage this week inspires us to think carefully about the notion of Christ as “king.” When Jesus was brought by the Jewish leaders to Pilate for punishment, Pilate asked him, “Are you king of the Jews?” Jesus doesn’t explicitly answer him, but he says that his kingdom is not of this world.

As we reflect on the past year and prepare for the Advent season of a new year, it may be helpful to ask ourselves how we see our relationship with Christ. Do we follow Christ in our daily lives? In the last couple of weeks, we have talked about the gifts we have received from God and our role as stewards. This week we will reflect on the gifts we give back to God, what it means to follow Christ, and how we view our relationship with Christ.

Special music by Barbara Jonson and Sheryl Clifton.

Prayers of the People by Pastor Jon Flint.

Gratitude has been recognized as an important way of looking at the world for many reasons. Besides being creating a more hospitable environment, it improves our mental health, makes us happier, and can also affect our physical health. However, we often don’t recognize the things or circumstances that are beneficial to us until they are gone. This can happen with our health, our loved ones, our careers, or any other facet of our lives. As time moves on and we start to lose these things, we realize how nice our circumstances were.

In the passage we will reflect on this Sunday, we see the disciples marveling at the temple in Jerusalem. This was a large, marvelous structure that was appreciated by the Jews in the first century, but perhaps even more so today since most of it was destroyed by the Romans around 70 CE. In response to the disciples’ comments on the size of the buildings and the stones used in their construction, Jesus explained that the buildings would eventually be destroyed. This warning prompted them to ask for more details, like when this would happen, but Jesus doesn’t give them specifics on the timing. He explained that there are many losses and tragedies that will take place before he returns, but they must remain diligent and faithful until all is accomplished. As we consider the finite nature of the gifts we have been given from God, what are you most grateful for?

Prayers of the People by Jim Essinger.

Special music by Jon and Sylvia Flint.

Financial stability is a driving motivation for most people. We typically want to make enough money to be able to provide the basic necessities for ourselves and our families while having enough left over to support a fun hobby or some form of entertainment. Of course, there are different opinions on what is a basic necessity and what is a reasonable expenditure on entertainment. In American society, we usually give each other great latitude in accepting these personal decisions. After all, if a person earned a large amount of money through their hard work or unique gifts, they deserve to use that money any way they desire.

In some ways, scripture supports this point of view, but there also seems to be a preference for the poor. This week we will reflect on Jesus’s comments to his disciples as he made observations of worshipers in the temple at Jerusalem. He criticizes the scribes who seek reverence from the community while also being callous in their treatment of the poor and those who are suffering. And when he sees a poor widow offering two small copper coins, he commends her generosity. This Sunday we will reflect on the gifts we have received from God and consider what it means to be a responsible steward of those gifts.