Tessera Materials

Opening Prayer

God of justice and peace,
from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness,
that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder
before your marvelous deeds.
Raise our heads in expectation,
that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord
and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture

Isaiah 2:1-5 NIV
This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: [2] In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. [3] Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. [4] He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. [5] Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Matthew 24:36-44 NIV
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [37] As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; [39] and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [40] Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. [41] Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. [42] “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. [43] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Reflection & Discussion

It’s the first Sunday of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning “arrival” or “coming.” During this season, we find ourselves waiting in the darkness for the arrival of light.

As Christ has appeared once, so Christ will appear again.

And so we wait. Yet our waiting is not passive—it is an active, expectant waiting that invites us both to receive and to embody the light of Christ in the days ahead.

Many of us have already begun setting up trees, hanging ornaments, and decorating with lights. These practices point toward a coming day. They are small expressions of active waiting for the celebration of Christmas.

The Scripture readings during Advent often lift our gaze toward the day of Christ’s return, when peace, justice, and renewal will flood God’s creation. The prophet Isaiah, who frequently calls out Israel’s idolatry and injustice, here speaks of a future renewal—and invites God’s people to walk now in the light of that coming restoration.

In Matthew, Jesus speaks of the coming day of the Lord. In the last century, this passage is often misread, leading some to believe that a select few will be taken away, raptured to another place. But Jesus’ words offer a different hope: those who presently yield to Christ’s light, who walk in it faithfully, are the ones who will inherit the earth and share in God’s future renewal.

Friends, what an inheritance! And what an opportunity to awaken ourselves—to walk in the light and love of Christ, even in the dark times before us.

• Where do you sense yourself waiting in this season—spiritually, emotionally, or circumstantially—and how might God be inviting you to engage that waiting rather than avoid it?
• Where do you encounter “darkness” in your week—stress, discouragement, conflict, busyness—and what is one practical way you could bring Christ’s light into that specific situation?
• If God’s future renewal includes peace, justice, and restoration, what is one small action you can take this week—in your home, workplace, or community—to reflect that coming reality?

Closing Prayer

Unexpected God,
your advent alarms us.
Wake us from drowsy worship,
from the sleep that neglects love,
and the sedative of misdirected frenzy.
Awaken us now to your coming,
and bend our angers into your peace. Amen.

Giving Update

Budget YTD Need: $63,064
Budget YTD Giving: $52,288
Variance: -$10,775