First Sunday of Advent

Hope

 

[Jesus said:] "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. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

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

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 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."

Please click on the following link and scroll down:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/slides/Cx_FirstSundayofAdvent.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What gives me the most hope every day is God’s grace;

knowing that His grace is going to give me 

the strength for whatever I face,

knowing that nothing is a surprise to God.

~ Rick Warren

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving, 2018

Vidanta Riviera Maya

https://www.vidanta.com/documents/65216/76629/Riviera-Maya.pdf/49bef212-0e50-8f0f-508d-b445718ba350

 

All 21 of us!

 

Thank you, JACK and DOTTIE Alexander!!!

Many of their relatives were invited to join them for a week in Cancun!

 

The Lidiaks

 

The Griffins

 

The Alexanders

 

More Alexanders

 

The Sakamotos

 

The “Older” Generation

(Sorry, Dottie.)

 

Baby Brother and Big Sister

 

The whole gang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 2, 2018 First Sunday of Advent Year C        

 

 

Agnus Day, by James Wetzstein 

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36

 

 

Jeremiah 33:14-16

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The Lord is our righteousness."

Psalm 25:1-10

To you, O God,
   I lift up my soul.

O my God, 
   in you I trust;
do not let me be put 
   to shame;
do not let my enemies exult 
   over me.

Do not let those who wait for you
   be put to shame;
let them be ashamed
   who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, 
   O God;
teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth,
   and teach me,
for you are the God 
   of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, 
   O God,
and of your steadfast love,
   for they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins 
   of my youth
or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love
   remember me,
for your goodness' sake, 
   O God!

Good and upright is God;
   therefore God instructs sinners
in the way.

God leads the humble 
   in what is right,
and teaches the humble 
   God's way.

All the paths of God
   are steadfast love 
and faithfulness,

for those who keep God's covenant
   and God's decrees.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Luke 21:25-36

[Jesus said:] "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. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

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

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 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."