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First Sunday of Advent

Hope

 

9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13And 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.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

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Reading

GRUTZNER, Eduard von

1889

 

https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20241129118616956&code=act&RC=56044&Row=26

 

 

Eduard von Grützner was a German painter best known for his genre scenes of the theater and of monks consuming beer in rowdy groups. Among his best-known works are his vivid portrayals of William Shakespeare’s character Falstaff from his play Henry V. Von Grützner’s works are detailed in their rendering, portraying both a sense of humor and sentiment similar to his contemporary Carl Spitzweig. Born on May 26, 1846 in Groß-Karlowitz, Prussia (now Poland), he went on to attend the private painting academy of Herman Dyck in Munich and transferred to the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich shortly thereafter, where he studied under Karl Theodor von Piloty. Von Grützner went on to have great success in Munich and was knighted in 1916. Today, his works are in the collections of the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Neue Pinakothek in Munich, among others. Von Grützner died April 2, 1925 in Munich, Germany.

https://www.artnet.com/artists/eduard-von-gr%C3%BCtzner/

 

 

 

 

Hope is being able to see that there is light 

despite all of the darkness.

~ Desmond Tutu

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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Christmas decorating at church.

 

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Susan Fitzwilson, Carla McFadden

 

Bunco!

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Kelly Selva, Heidi Smithson, Julia Molden

 

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Thanksgiving Dinner with Brenda Jansen and her three sons

 

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Marsha Manning, Carolyn Alexander, Brenda Jansen, Brian, Gail Sharp, Fran S.

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Gail Sharp, Fran S., Steve

 

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Michael and Brian

 

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Dr. Marsha and Bill Manning

 

 

 

 

The inability to open up to hope 

is what blocks trust, 

and blocked trust is the 

reason for blighted dreams.

~ Elizabeth Gilbert

 

 

 

 

 

December 1, 2024 First Sunday of Advent Year C

Previous OPQs may be found at: 

     http://www.dotjack.com/opq.htm

 

25"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. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

29Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees;30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

34"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, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be 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."

Luke 21:25-36

Agnus Day, by James Wetzstein

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

 

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

 

 

 

Artwork: Detail of Flight into Egypt © 2018 John August Swanson | Eyekons

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10All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

Psalm 25:1-10

 

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LECTIONARY

Jeremiah 33:14–16 

Psalm 25:1–10 

1 Thessalonians 3:9–13 

Luke 21:25–36

 

SUMMARY

 

https://www.preachingtoday.com/lectionary/

 

THE WORD

Advent begins at the end: the promised return of Christ at the end of time.  For the faithful disciple, history is a moving forward, a journey to the fulfillment of God’s reign when God’s Christ will return as Lord of all.  We therefore live in a permanent state of Advent: watchfulness, preparation and perseverance as we await the return of the Holy One who has already come.

Our lives are a continuing Advent in which we make our way to God by creating a road for that journey, a road built of justice, forgiveness and love.

https://connectionsmediaworks.com/sundaygospel.html#dec1

 

 

First Reading Jeremiah 33:14-16

14The 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. 15In 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. 16In 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

1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

2O my God, in you I trust;

do not let me be put to shame;

do not let my enemies exult over me.

3Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;

let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4Make me to know your ways, O LORD;

teach me your paths.

5Lead me in your truth, and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all day long.

6Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

7Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love remember me,

for your goodness' sake, O LORD!

8Good and upright is the LORD;

therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

9He leads the humble in what is right,

and teaches the humble his way.

10All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13And 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.

Gospel Luke 21:25-36

25"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. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

29Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees;30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

34"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, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be 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."