Paul gives some direction to the church in Corinth on their giving of an offering. We can use that direction as well in our giving of our money, time or talent.

Jesus crosses the lake into the region of the Gerasenes and what they are greeted with a sight. Join us in looking at this story.

The Magi travel to visit the Messiah. This is a story we have been told for years but do we understand how this wouldn’t typically make any sense? Why would gentiles travel so far to see the Messiah? And why would they take such gifts? On this the day before Epiphany we explore that thought.

Simeon was an older gentleman who came to the temple that day following the prompting of the Holy Spirit and what a sight he saw. He didn’t allow himself to become numb to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. May we not become numb to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

It’s here. We’ve made it to the final week of Advent! In this final week, we are invited to explore the gift of peace. Christmas is so close—and all the excitement and anticipation that come with it, especially when it is only a few days away. But this week, I invite you to continue to live into the anticipation of this last Sunday of Advent. Often we associate finding with something we do at the end of a journey. This week, I invite you to find peace in the space where you are, rather than hoping it will show up in the space where you want to be. In our journey toward peace, we find ourselves reading Mary’s song this week. These words are a beautiful expression of joy, trust, and peace in response to

God’s plan unfolding before her.

Few have to work to find the joy in Christmas, but the Third Sunday of Advent calls us to experience joy in a new and different way. Joy, if we allow it, can be seen in the ways that God’s kingdom is not only one day promised but also already at work here and now. It is easy to be overcome by the weight of the world and the death and despair that are evident wherever we look, but this week of Advent invites us to experience the joy that God is working in and through the world, despite the work of the powers and principalities. God’s gift of joy is already at work—we just have to be willing to see it.

Last week, as we began this Advent season, we spoke of waiting. Our reality, as God’s people, is that we are still in a season of waiting. We know the promise of Christ, who has already come, but we wait for God to come and make all things right—but waiting is hard. Today we are reminded, through words spoken by Zechariah in Luke 1, that even in the waiting we have the hope of God’s continued promise.

As we come to the first Sunday of Advent, a new beginning for the church year to come, we are reminded that we are people who hope because of who God is, who God has always been, and who God continues to be. Our hope is not unrealistic. We have hope not only because of what God has promised to us is yet to come but also because of the promises God has already fulfilled. There- fore, while we may live in a reality where there is brokenness and despair, and we know that things are not as they should be, we hope in God, who is continually working to make things right and good and whole.

The last few weeks we have been talking about the rebuilding of the Temple, the community, and the rebuilding of the walls. These stories seem to leave us on a cliffhanger. Malachi reminds us that there is something more coming.

Nehemiah lead the rebuilding of the walls. He had some good leadership qualities. The Israelites hearts were still hard though. Even though they promised to follow what God asked of them, they didn’t follow through. Christianity isn’t just a checklist, it is a heart change.

The story of the second temple being built kind of leaves us in this moment of feeling like it isn’t finished. Thankfully the prophet speaks what God has spoken which is you will rejoice, your King is coming!

The stories in Ezra, Nehemiah, and Malachi are chronologically the last we hear in the Biblical text of the Israelites before the 400 years of silence. Today we will look at part of Ezra’s story.

The story of the friends of the paralyzed man is one of intercessory prayer. They bring their friend to the feet of Jesus. We too should bring others to the feet of Jesus. He will pay attention.

Paul tells us to devote ourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful. What does Paul mean by devoting ourselves to prayer and being watchful and thankful? We talk about that this week.

Sam brings us a message flipping worry inside out.

Today we answer some basic questions about prayer. Paul brings up prayer in Ephesians chapter 6 so we look at what he says today.

Paul brings all he has been talking about in Ephesians together in the armor we are called to put on. Paul calls us to living in different ways than the world does. In Ephesians chapter 6 he brings this all together.

In Ephesians the last part of chapter 5, first few verses of chapter 6 Paul gives household instructions. If we are living a lifestyle of love this is the unity in which our household will run. Each person more concerned about the other than themselves.

What does this lifestyle of love look like? Paul spells it out the later half of Ephesians. Today we look at what our speech should look like when dealing with others.

Paul describes the church as the body of Christ. Each part has its own unique job but in working together the Body of Christ is built up. But Paul throws in the words “in love” whatever our job is it should be done in love.