ADVENT 2007

Sunday, December 9,2007

Lighting the Advent Wreath
Second Sunday in Advent

Reader 1: Dear God, thank you for sending messengers to bring us good news and to show your way.  
Amen.                  

Reader 2: John 14:6

Reader: 3 (Lighting the first candle.)

We relight the first candle to remember that Jesus brings us hope.  We continue to hope and 
pray for ________________________ (repeat what you chose last week).

Reader: 4 (Lighting the second candle.)

We light the second candle to remember that Jesus shows us the right way to live.

All: The way to live is by following Jesus’ example.  Thank you, God, for showing us the right way.

Sharing: Talk about times when you did something you know Jesus would like.

Sing a favorite Christmas Carol. 

Sunday, December 9, Meditation

Isaiah 5:1-7    
2 Peter 3:11-18   
Luke 7:28-35

Being a Vine of Sweet Fruit in a World of Disappointments

Have you ever been disappointed?  Worked really hard and then lost the promotion?  Asked for a gift that you really wanted for a birthday or for Christmas and didn’t get it?  Advocated passionately for a social justice issue that ended up going the other way?  Trusted a friend or family member to do the right thing only to have them make yet another bad choice?  Disappointment is one of the hardest things for us to deal with as individuals.  We try to do the right thing as best we can, and yet we end up being disappointed in the end.  The scriptures for today talk of the trials of being a people of God and dealing with our disappointments.

The prophet Isaiah tells of God’s disappointment in His people through the Song of the Vineyard in the Old Testament scripture.  God cared for and tended grapevines to bring forth sweet fruit, and ended up with wild grapes—sour, useless, wild grapes that He then cast away.  God’s disappointment was in His people, the people that He had blessed with many gifts and urged to do justice in the world, the people who instead chose oppression and injustice and then cried to God for the sake of righteousness. 

We are the vines of God’s vineyards—in our world, our country, our community, at Epworth.  We must fight for justice and have faith when disappointments strike.  We can only continue to believe that we are doing God’s work in the world and that our work will make a positive difference.  In this way, we will yield sweet fruit instead of sour grapes, hope instead of disappointment, faith instead of despair.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be a vine of sweet fruit in your vineyard.  Direct my hands to do your work, my feet to walk in your way, and my faith to serve your purpose.  In the holy name of your son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Malinda Smith

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Last modified November 17, 2007