First Sunday of Advent: “Christ Interrupts: Pour the Coffee” Matthew 24:36-44
Key verse: Matt 24:44 - “[Jesus says] So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come”
Key words: prophecy (Jesus prophesies his own arrival!!), watchfulness, readiness
Theme: Jesus, close to the end of his earthly life, prophesies another beginning. Jesus, the Messiah, tells the people to watch out for the Messiah.
Small Group Questions:
- Did you experience God in any unexpected ways this week? How is he calling you to respond?
- Can you think of an experience in your past where God has interrupted your routine? How did you experience the grace in that interruption?
- Does it make sense to you to hope and prepare for an interruption from God? Why or why not?
- What can or should you do to prepare for unexpected interruptions? How can you be open to receiving all the grace bestows in these experiences?
Petition:
- May we be open to God’s unexpected interruptions in our lives and allow these interruptions to draw us into His grace, peace, love, and hope.
Lighting the Candle of Expectation
It was Jesus Christ himself that told us to be ready at any time.
So, today we remember that call. The call to look for God in unexpected places, at unexpected times.
And even though we wait, we can expect Our Savior to show.
This morning, we light the Candle of Expectation.
Let this fire remind us that while we wait for the Lord, truly the Lord is already here.
Hope is here. Love is here. Family is here.
Second Sunday of Advent: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand” Matthew 3:1-12
Key verse: Matt 3:2 - "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
Key words: Promise, strength, hope, readiness, repentance
Theme: We journey backwards to before Jesus’ baptism, to John the Baptist prophesying the Messiah’s coming – a Messiah already here. Now is the time to get right with God, to prepare ourselves for the kingdom that is coming, the kingdom already here.
Small Group Questions:
- When did you experience God in any unexpected ways this week?
- “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another.” With whom do I not live in harmony? What must I do to reverse this situation?
- Has anyone ever welcomed you warmly? What did that mean to you? Have you ever welcomed someone? How did that make you feel?
- John the Baptist calls on us to “produce good fruit as evidence of [our] repentance.” What concrete fruit/result can I present to God signifying a change of heart?
- “[The promised Messiah] shall judge the poor with justice and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.” How can we do the same?
- Like the Messiah, how can I stand up for the poor and afflicted working for justice?
Petition:
- That we may accept St. Paul’s challenge to think in harmony with one another and with one voice glorify the God and Father of Jesus Christ, let us pray to the lord.
- That each of us may be filled and fill others with the knowledge of the Lord that Isaiah calls for, let us pray to the lord.
- That we may hear and act on John the Baptist’s call to repentance, let us pray to the lord.
Lighting the Candle of Prophecy
John called on God’s people to repent, for the Messiah was near.
The people had prayed for it, yet they didn’t see the one they had been waiting for was truly among them.
That prophecy was being fulfilled in their midst.
This morning, we light the Candle of Prophecy
Let this fire remind us that while we wait for the Lord, truly the Lord is already here.
Hope is here. Love is here. Family is here.
Third Sunday of Advent: “Hope in the King” Matthew 11:2-11
Key verse: Matt 11:3 - [John in prison asks] "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
Key words: Joyful repentance, fulfillment, hope
Theme: “Be patient. . . . Make your hearts firm, because—although God’s “schedule” is not our schedule--the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
Small Group Questions:
- What scares me when I think about God? What can I do to strengthen my own confidence in God’s goodness and mercy and to help others grow to trust God more fully?
- Isaiah writes, “Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you.” What scares me when I think about God? What can I do to strengthen my own confidence in God’s goodness and mercy and to help others grow to trust God more fully?
- St. James has advice for us when we grow impatient with waiting for better times to come: “Do not complain. . . . [But] take as an example of hardship and patience . . . the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.” How can I reconcile myself with those who disagree with me and promote similar harmony among others?
- Through his disciples, John the Baptist asks Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus answer amounts to an unequivocal, “Yes. I am he.” How can I best demonstrate my belief in His “Yes” and lead others to do the same?
Petitions:
- That the church will recognize and support the people who are prophets in our own day speak on the behalf of the weak and the marginalized, we pray to the Lord.
Extra
- That, following the example of St. John the Baptist, each of us may prepare the way of the Lord during the two weeks that remain before Christmas, we pray to the Lord.
- That the church will continue to support and strengthen all those whose hearts are frightened, we pray to the Lord.
Lighting the Candle of Hope
Even John the Baptist asked Jesus, “Are you the one we’ve been waiting for?”
All of the hopes and dreams of God’s children were wrapped up in that question.
And the answer was, yes, the Hope of the Nations was there, and is here.
This morning, we light the Candle of Hope.
Let this fire remind us that while we wait for the Lord, truly the Lord is already here.
Hope is here. Love is here. Family is here.
Fourth Sunday of Advent: “God’s Promises are a Sure Thing” Matthew 1:18-24
Key Verse: Matt 1:20 - "Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her."
Key words: Trust, Faith, Christmas
Theme: What about Joseph? Here we have the more rarely-read birth narrative from Matthew, focused on the choices of Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph. What can his awkward circumstance tell us about keeping the faith, trusting even when we do not understand?
Small Group Questions:
- How is God calling you to entrust your life into His hands? What prevents you from responding and what do you need in order to respond?
- Think of a challenging time that despite your best laid plans did not turn out as you expected. How did God and your faith in Him help you get through it?
- In difficult times, it can be easy to be misled by the appearance that God is not present or cares. How can we find him in the mists of disappointment and pain?
- Reflect on idea of hope and expectancy. Are they the same? How do we truly live in expectation of the promises of God?
Petition:
- That we may come to trust and expect great things in the promises of the Lord.
Lighting the Candle of Joy
As we wait for Emmanuel, God with us to arrive, we remember the fears of his earthly parents.
We remember the commitment of Joseph, we remember the commitment of Mary.
We remember that the Lord sent angels to comfort and to guide – with joy.
In that spirit of joy, of expectation and hope, we light the Candle of Joy.
Let this fire remind us that while we wait for the Lord, truly the Lord is already here.
Hope is here. Love is here. Family is here.
Christmas: “Hope Has Arrived” Luke 2:1-20
Key verse: Luke 2:10-11 - “But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Key words: Christmas, watchfulness, peace, love, hope, joy
Theme: The shepherds were awake to receive the good news, while the rest of the world was asleep. Let us open our eyes to the truth of God with us, seeing and living in that hope, even when others do not.
Question of the Week:
- What can I do to cultivate the gift of hope?
Small Group Questions:
- What are the things in my life that cause me anxiety or worry?
- How does the birth of Jesus Christ have an impact on my own life?
- What can I do to cultivate the gift of hope?
- What are the things in my life that Jesus Christ desires to free me from?
Petition:
- May the hope we celebrate this Christmas fill our hearts and guide our actions to better live the Gospel.
Lighting the Christ Candle
With this lighting of the Christ Candle we rejoice with prophets, angels, and Mary and Joseph in welcoming Christ!
Our hope has arrived!
Thank you God, for sending us your Son.
May this light remind us of the hope we all carry because you love the whole world!
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God: “Checking our Compass” Luke 2:16-21
Key verse: Galatians 4:6-7 – “As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.”
Key words: Son, heir
Theme: Christ who called us brother and sister with him as we are children of the Father. Christ our teacher also called us family. Christ is in our hearts.
Small Group Questions:
- What do you have to keep in your heart to reflect on during this Christmas Season?
- What expectations do you have for the hope Christ brings us? What does this hope mean for your life?
- How do I share this hope in my family, with your Children, with my spouse?
- How do you or can you utilize Mary as a spiritual compass?
Petition:
- That we may align our actions and spirituality with that of the Virgin Mary who points us to Christ so that we may live the hope Jesus Christ offers.
Epiphany Sunday: “What gift did God bring?” Matthew 2:1-12
Key verse: Isaiah 60:1 - Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
Key words: Giving, New Year, Beginnings
Theme: Since the beginning of all things, God has been giving to us. And God hasn't stopped giving to us. God’s grace is made new every day, filling us with hope to live each day in the promises of God.
Small Group Questions:
- How are you embracing the gift of God in your life?
- What holds you back from excepting God’s gift of Hope?
- What changes do you need to make in your life and/or attitude in order to allow the Hope of Christ to continue to permeate your heart?
- How can you enjoy the Hope of Christ in your daily life?
Petitions:
- That we may be open to a renewed personal relationship with the Lord where we accept the Hope offered to us through the birth of Jesus Christ.