Judgement

Opening Prayer

O Holy God, maker of every thought and thing, open our hearts this day, that we may know your presence in this time and place. Restore us now, so we may see the special gift and calling that you have for each of us. Masterful potter of life, mold us into the vessels you would have us be. Help us be ready for your promised return, when you will be among us and within us with new, creative, healing energy. Amen.

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Songs: “Here I Am to Worship?,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

Chrismon Tree

Pastoral Prayer

Merciful and Patient God, how we must try your patience. We rush through the seasons of our lives as though we had a mighty schedule to keep. We plot out our days, minute by minute, crowding each moment with tasks, stresses and pressures. And we begin to notice the growing darkness and anxiety in our lives. We proclaim boldly each year that we will not let ourselves get so caught up in the commercial pressures and demands and yet, here we are, back in the same old trap of "not enough time; not enough energy". The very plans we weave become bonds which imprison us. Help us bind ourselves to you, loving God. Help us slow down and reflect on the many ways in which you bless us. Let us drink deeply of your peace. Remind us again of the most precious gift of all, the gift of loving relationship between you and your Creation. May we cherish the people and the peaceful moments you offer to us. As we have lifted before you our joys and concerns, so lift our spirits to remember that you are always with us, offering your healing touch and your compassionate care. Help us to place our trust in you, for we ask it in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Song: “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”

Scripture Reading

Mark 13:24–37 NRSV

24 “But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

Introduction

Picture this....

It’s Saturday afternoon. You have spent the entire day eating Thanksgiving leftovers, shopping on Amazon, and watching Hallmark Christmas movies in your pajamas. Your little dog is curled up with you under your blanket on the couch.

You get a phone call. It’s your best friend and they want to run to Cups of Joy down the street to get a coffee. What do you do? You haven’t bathed or brushed your teeth. Your house is a mess because you attempted to put up Christmas decorations but the couch and blanket sounded like a much better option.

My guess is you say yes. Run throughout the house throwing all your Christmas stuff into a room, throw on some clothes, brush your teeth, and try to hide any evidence that you have just eaten about 5 pounds of turkey and ham in the last 2 hours.

This is about the best description I have of what 2020 has been like - a hot mess. Nothing we thought we were going to do has actually happened. Thanksgiving was very different, and it is assured that the next few weeks will be very different as well. The question is what do we do with the mess that is in front of us? How do we continue and what does it look like?

Today, we begin a new sermon series entitled, “The King Is Coming.” It’s similar to what happened when we have an unexpected guest coming to our house. We can become frantic and overwhelmed by the possibility. How do we get ready for the king to come back?

1. Judgment is a source of promise in the midst of the mess. (vs. 24-27)

Mark 13:24–27 NRSV

24 “But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

Isaiah 64:3 NRSV

3 When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.

2. The source of the promise is in God's Word. (vs. 28-31)

Mark 13:28–31 NRSV

28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 NRSV

13 We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.

3. As we await the coming of Christ, we live for him. (vs. 32-37)

Mark 13:32–37

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

Romans 12:1

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Song: “Jesus, Name Above All Names/Emmanuel, Emmanuel”

Benediction

As we go out to meet a hungry world, know that God will give us what we need. We go forth to make ready as we wait. The Holy One, whose love turns fear aside, will show us what to do. Keep watch! The risen Christ is on the way! Amen.