Year: 2014

FIRST READING 1 Kings 3:4–15 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” 6 … [Read more…]

FIRST READING Isaiah 9:2–7 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult … [Read more…]

FIRST READING 2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16 1 Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a … [Read more…]

PRESENCE OF CHRIST One of the many blessings of the Christmas season is gathering with family and friends. The family party’s blind draw gift exchange is an event that brings laughter and joy and also brings folks together. Another gathering that brings grins and chuckles is a tacky Christmas sweater party. This has been featured … [Read more…]

FIRST READING Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the … [Read more…]

FIRST READING Isaiah 40:1–11 1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare … [Read more…]

OLD TESTAMENT READING                                                                            Isaiah 40:3-5 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the … [Read more…]

The text for our first reading for this afternoon is from Isaiah 40:1-2: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” … [Read more…]

FIRST READING Isaiah 64:1–9 1 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence — 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil — to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at … [Read more…]

FIRST READING Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–24 11 For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12 As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which … [Read more…]