Posts Tagged ‘Advent’
Advent Jubilee
Helping Families Facing Eviction In ancient Israel, there was the concept of Jubilee where every 50 years people’s debts were forgiven, and slaves were set free. While there is debate over whether it was ever actually celebrated, the concept is one that we need to apply to 2020. As the year ends, we have an…
Read MoreLivestream Worship | Sunday, November 29, 2020
Stir up your power, and come! The psalmist’s plea in Psalm 80:2 has become familiar to us in the Advent prayers. Isaiah wants God to rip the heavens open. Both cry out for an apparently distant, angry God to show up, to save, to restore. When we hear Jesus describing the coming of the Son of Man with stars falling from heaven, it can sound dire and horrible, not like anything we would ever hope for. But when we really look at the suffering of people God loves, we can share the hope that God would tear open the heavens and come.
Read MoreThis Sunday | December 22, 2019
Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent we pray, “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on the O Antiphons, ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday of Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us from the power of sin and death.
Read MoreThis Sunday | December 15, 2019
A note of joyful expectation marks today’s worship. Isaiah announces that the desert shall rejoice and blossom, and Jesus points to the unexpected and transforming signs of God’s reign. We wait with patience for the coming of the Lord, even as we rejoice at his presence among us this day: in word and holy supper, in church and in our homes, in silent reflection and in works of justice and love. We pray that God would open our eyes and ears to the wonders of Christ’s advent among us.
Read MoreAdvent Tuesday Evenings
Looking for a way to deepen your experience of Advent? Join Sarah, Tuesday evenings (2nd, 10th, and 17th) from 6:30 – 8:00 at the Madison Campus. Using short writings from prophets, pastors, poets, and playwrights we’ll reflect together on this special season. We’ll also provide time for quiet, for prayer, and for fellowship. Adults of…
Read MoreRead the December 2019 Edition of The Messenger
The December 2019 issue of Good Shepherd’s monthly newsletter “The Messenger” is now available to read online. Print copies are available at both the Verona and Madison campuses. Have a question or an idea for a future issue? Send an email to the communications team: communications@gslcwi.com Download the PDF Version or read the embedded version…
Read MoreThis Sunday | December 1, 2019
The new church year begins with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In today’s readings both Paul and Jesus challenge us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord’s coming. Isaiah proclaims the day when God will gather all people on the holy mountain and there will be no more war or suffering. Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day of salvation, we wait for what we already have: Christ comes among us this day as the word and meal that strengthens our faith in the promises of God.
Read MoreJoyful Expectation | December 19
“If we don’t encounter liminal space in our lives, we start idealizing normalcy.” – Richard Rohr I seem to be a person who needs routine – I’m old and I have lots of routines. And to me that defines normal. My life has recently been absolutely turned upside down. With upheaval comes loss of routine…
Read MoreJoyful Expectation | December 18
lim·i·nal /ˈlimənl/ adjective relating to a transitional or initial stage of a process. occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold. For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be…
Read MoreBlue Christmas Worship Service
The Light Shines in the Darkness The holiday season is hard for those whose hearts are hurting. Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Know…you are not alone. Blue Christmas is a gentle, contemplative service for those who are dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or…
Read MoreJoyful Expectation | December 17
The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an…
Read MoreJoyful Expectation | December 16
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31) The summer right after you graduate and before you go to college is probably one of the most interesting transition times…
Read MoreJoyful Expectation | December 15
Joyful Expectation is our theme for Advent at Good Shepherd this coming season. The phrase has an exciting ring to it. Perhaps it even brings back memories of our early childhood days – starting school, new friends, summers, Christmas gifts. Life was good! Time passed and as we aged there were new things to anticipate…
Read MoreJoyful Expectation | December 14
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through…
Read MoreJoyful Expectation | December 13
Recently, my life has been filled with physical transition. The seminary schedule is one year of classes, a summer doing chaplaincy, another year of classes, a full year of interning with a congregation, then a final year of classes before entering into a draft and being sent forth to a first call or a PhD…
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