Call to Celebration
God of Intention, awaken in us the new gifts that are present in this space today.
We are open to surprises.
Yield, change lanes, slow down, watch and wait are Advent signals for introspection.
We are open to surprises.
How do we prepare for the unexpected?
We stay pregnant with hope and engage in peace.
Release in us, Holy One, the joy of Advent.
We are open to the move of the Liberating Spirit in this place today.
Amen
Offertory
God of Hope, as we listen to the call to stay open, prepare our hearts for the gifts of change. As we exercise our faith to actualize the spirit of Advent, may we find joy in rehearsing kin-dom together. Amen
Full Service December 12th
Scripture Lesson
Luke 3:7-18 NIV
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with[a] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.