Day 334 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80; 1 Corinthians 1:3-8; Mark 13:24-37)
THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 ESV)
Today is the First Sunday of Advent, a time that Christians set aside to prepare for celebration of the coming of Jesus as the Babe of Bethlehem. We get to prepare our hearts and minds to truly celebrate Christmas by focusing on God’s gift of His Son.
Paul’s words to the Thessalonians focus on the HOPE that is ours in Jesus, the Christian hope of heaven when Jesus comes a second time at the end of time. He encourages us to prepare for the end this way:
“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, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”
Hark the glad sound! The Savior comes,
The Savior promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne
And every voice a song.
He comes the broken heart to bind,
The bleeding soul to cure,
And with the treasures of His grace
To enrich the humble poor.
(“Hark the Glad Sound,” The Lutheran Service Book, #349)
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me hope by sending Jesus that first Christmas to help me prepare for eternity by dying on the cross and paying for my sins. Bless me this Advent season as You prepare me to truly celebrate the birth of my Savior. Amen.
LINK to St. Paul’s 9 am online Sunday Worship Service:
Password now required too: 843774
IN CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICE and Parking Lot Worship Service 9 am
both with Holy Communion
IN CHURCH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 7 pm with Holy Communion
Youtube link to all previously recorded services:
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
Then scroll down to 2020 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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