Moment for Mission
"By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,…to guide our feet into the way of peace." —Luke 1:78-79, NRSV
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair."
A Tale of Two Cities ends as a story of resurrection with the main characters being "recalled to life." Resurrection demonstrates that the spiritual lives of all people depend upon the hope of being born anew, recalled to life.
This season of social, political and spiritual unrest around the world creates a sense of chaos and uncertainty. For many who are vulnerable, and those who love them, it feels like the worst of times.
What does it mean for us to be recalled to life?
We are claimed by the Creator, forever embraced and born anew. To be recalled to life is to turn from our ways of violence and hatred, to live into our Creator's desire for each of us to be whole and to work to make a world where every human is afforded this divinely ordained dignity.
It is not the worst of times. It is not the best of times. It is a time when people of faith are recalled to a life of resurrection and hope.
— Adapted from "Recalled to Life in the Midst of Chaos" by the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, general secretary, General Board of Church and Society, Nov. 2, 2018
Offertory Prayer
Loving God, in a world often fraught with despair, call us to a life of resurrection and hope. Guide our feet into the way of peace. In your name, we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: Third Sunday of Advent – God of Might and Mercy: Our days and nights are filled with jolly songs, festive parties, and extravagant gifts, beautifully wrapped. We confess we just don't want to hear a call to repentance in the midst of our revelry. Yet you remind us that without hearing a call to repent, we risk missing the whole point of Christ's coming. We bring our gifts this morning to your altar, knowing they are not what they ought to be, and we are not who we hoped to be. And in this acknowledgement we become ready to hear the call of repentance and more ready to welcome a Savior. This we pray in that holy name above all others, Jesus the Christ. Amen.(Zephaniah 3:14-20)(Luke 3:7-18)
Newsletter Nugget
Through your congregation's support of the World Service Fund, you nurture the ministry of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. One of its latest ventures is "Connecting Faith and Justice," a curriculum series for junior high students.
Designed to help youth actively explore the intersection of faith and justice, the curriculum is available for free download.
Junior high is confirmation time for many United Methodist youth. It is "a perfect time," says Aimee Hong, director of the United Methodist seminar program at the board, "to walk alongside students, encouraging them to search deeper within themselves, their relationship with God, and their role within their community and the larger world."
The stand-alone lessons may be used with any number of students. Each is designed to last an hour and includes a centering moment, Scripture study, group activity and closing moment. The curriculum follows the lectionary year and runs from Dec. 2, 2018, through Dec. 29, 2019.
Your generosity changes lives. Thank you!
—Adapted from General Board of Church and Society website, Nov. 5, 2018