On the Road Advent Theme
Announcements

Advent 2020

~From the Worship Committee~

This year’s Advent theme conveys a sense of movement, of traveling from one point to another. In the story of the magi from the East, they literally took to the road and drew closer to Jesus with each passing step. This rich imag­ery sets the tone for the Advent season as we seek to move closer to Jesus, wherever we might find ourselves along the road of faith. Each week, the congregation embarks on a new leg of this journey toward Christ. 

The phrase “on the road” signifies that we aren’t there yet; we are on a journey. The visuals that we will be using (some of things that we find along a road) should help us remember the key thought or message and how it gives meaning to our daily lives.

Advent 1:  November 29, 2020:  On the road to readiness
Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
What does readiness look like? How might we prepare ourselves to receive the One sent to save us? May our heart’s desire be to make space to receive the gift God has sent.
 
Advent 2:  December 6, 2020  On the road to repentance
Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8
When the heart is moving in readiness, there is an openness to the “new”—perhaps the fresh thing God wants to do. To embrace the new requires a letting go of the past. Repentance means we are letting go and making space for God’s new work in us.
 
Advent 3 : December 13, 2020:  On the road to restoration
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55;
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
The gift offered to the repentant is restoration. The road to restoration is a journey toward wholeness in body, soul, and spirit.
 
Advent 4:  December 20, 2020:  On the road to revelation
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26;
Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38, 46b-55
On the road to revelation, if we have faith and a willing spirit, God will show us the way. God’s word to us is “I am with you; do not be afraid.”
 
Christmas:  December 27, 2020:  On the road to rejoicing
Isaiah 61:10–62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40
Walking the road of revelation results in overwhelming joy. The waiting is over. Jesus has come! We rejoice in the incarnation—God in the flesh—God with us!
 
Epiphany:  January 3, 2021:  On the road to radiance
Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
Jesus, light of the world, has come and shed light on our journey. We are radiant in the light of his love and grace.