December 1, 2019 - First Sunday of Advent - The Candle of Hope (Prophet's Candle)

On Sunday, December 1st, we celebrated the lighting of the First Candle of Advent.  This candle is celebrated in our Church tradition as the Candle of Hope.  It is also known by other traditions as the "Prophet's Candle", in remembrance of the prophecies found in the Old Testament which gave us the promise of Jesus.  Today, we not only celebrate the birth of Christ so long ago but we also look forward with steadfast "Hope" (Faith) in the Second Coming of Christ.

May this Christmas find your heart filled with this promise... our hope in Him... and Him alone.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Hope,
Roy

Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.  Psalm 25:5


Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.   Psalm 31:24


May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.   Psalm 33:22


Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.  Psalm 42:11


You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.  Psalm 119:114


I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.   Psalm 130:5


Know also that wisdom is like honey for you:
If you find it, there is a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.   Proverbs 24:14


For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11


But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.    Micah 7:7


But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31


Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.   Hebrews 10:23


Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.   Hebrews 11:1


Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.   Romans 5:3-5


But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.  Romans 8:25


May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.   Romans 15:13


Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.   1 Peter 1:3


But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.  
1 Peter 3:15


I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.  Ephesians 1:18

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.  Ephesians 4:4

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.   Colossians 1:27

Sermon Dec 2, 2018 - Luke 21:25-36 The First Sunday of Advent "Hope"

This past Sunday, December 2nd, was the 'First Sunday of Advent'; which for those of us here at Woodlawn meant it was the Sunday on which we light the candle of 'Hope'.  In the sermon, I looked back at the previous three sermons I've given here at Woodlawn on the occasion of the 'First Sunday of Advent' and the lighting of the 'Hope Candle'.  This year I again told a story from my days back home on the Ranch in South Dakota.  It was again a story of going from a sense of hopelessness to a sense of hope... this is the condition that we experience when we become believers and followers of Christ.  Where there was once no hope, there is now firm knowledge... faith... in the love and grace of our God.

One of the things that we need to remember about the 'Advent' season is that it is a tool, just as the Bible... and so many of the other trappings of our worship service are... tools to direct us to and in our worship and relationship with God.  Some Christian denominations (and non-denominational churches as well) eschew the whole 'Advent' concept out of the contention that it is not in the Bible.  Well, that ignores the fact that it is simply a tool to prepare us for the coming of Christmas and beyond that the Second Coming of Christ.  To contend with Advent simply because it isn't in Scripture would also mean that 90% (or more) of our worship practices should also be scrapped... for they're not in the Bible either.

Advent is a tool, think of it that way, use it that way... utilize this season to help you draw near (and dear) to the coming of Christ.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Hope & Grace!
Roy

Luke 21:25-36 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Coming of the Son of Man
25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree
29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Exhortation to Watch

34 “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”