Scriptures:
Isaiah 64:1-9 "O that you would tear open the heavens and come down...."
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 "Restore us, O God, let your face shine, that we may be saved.
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 "You are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing..."
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 "You are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing..."
Mark 13:24-37 "Beware, keep alert..."
Theme: "Where Are You, God?
Sermon title: "Longing for a Glimpse of God"
"Where is God?" is a question many people pose after great tragedy. "Where is God?" is the question that Priscilla posed to her "Faith Club" in the book by that title. Suzanne responded that she saw God in all those people who rushed to help those who were fleeing from the buildings, those who brought food and blankets into Manhattan. "Where is God in the financial crisis?" is the question on the cover of the Sojourners magazine I received a few days ago. Does anyone ask the whereabouts of God in times of safety, stability, and bounty? I can't think of an instance. I suppose that is evidence of our sad state of sin-- we are such self-absorbed creatures.
Perhaps the up side of the economic scare is that it puts us in company with so many others who, throughout the ages, have lived in fear and sought the elusive face of God. We are well-prepared for the first Sunday in Advent.
Generally, we want to rush into the giddiness of Christmas. When pastors gather to let our hair down and commiserate over common complaints, one we can all agree on is that inevitably, we will be criticized for our choice of hymns during Advent. Christmas carols have been playing at Target and SuperOne since just after Halloween, why can't we sing carols in church? Because it isn't Christmas yet, we explain, patiently or testily, it is Advent. Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation. So we sing the somber tones of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."
In good times, we don't look for God. We rarely give God a second thought. But in hard times, we ask "where is God?" That is just the way we are. So if these are indeed hard times for you, then you are in precisely the right mood for Advent. Let's come and seek God's face, together.
Theme: "Where Are You, God?
Sermon title: "Longing for a Glimpse of God"
"Where is God?" is a question many people pose after great tragedy. "Where is God?" is the question that Priscilla posed to her "Faith Club" in the book by that title. Suzanne responded that she saw God in all those people who rushed to help those who were fleeing from the buildings, those who brought food and blankets into Manhattan. "Where is God in the financial crisis?" is the question on the cover of the Sojourners magazine I received a few days ago. Does anyone ask the whereabouts of God in times of safety, stability, and bounty? I can't think of an instance. I suppose that is evidence of our sad state of sin-- we are such self-absorbed creatures.
Perhaps the up side of the economic scare is that it puts us in company with so many others who, throughout the ages, have lived in fear and sought the elusive face of God. We are well-prepared for the first Sunday in Advent.
Generally, we want to rush into the giddiness of Christmas. When pastors gather to let our hair down and commiserate over common complaints, one we can all agree on is that inevitably, we will be criticized for our choice of hymns during Advent. Christmas carols have been playing at Target and SuperOne since just after Halloween, why can't we sing carols in church? Because it isn't Christmas yet, we explain, patiently or testily, it is Advent. Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation. So we sing the somber tones of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."
In good times, we don't look for God. We rarely give God a second thought. But in hard times, we ask "where is God?" That is just the way we are. So if these are indeed hard times for you, then you are in precisely the right mood for Advent. Let's come and seek God's face, together.
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