Between Sundays for Week of November 13, 2023
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“Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Matthew 25:13
Surrounded as we are by wars and rumors of wars, environmental catastrophes and ever-present uncertainty, Jesus’ words, “keep awake . . . ” at the end of the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids in Matthew 25 loom over us as a warning: our time is limited.
Could Jesus’ words also serve as an invitation? A call from beyond human time to shift our focus from what’s next on the schedule to instead watch and listen for where and how Jesus is appearing already in our midst.
In the coming weeks as we observe an extended Advent season we will encounter scripture readings that not only prepare us to celebrate the birth of Christ, but also remind us of Jesus’ promise that the marriage feast is coming! The bridegroom will arrive! The party will begin!
Rest assured – Jesus Christ is coming soon!
Encourage one another with these words.
P.S. Want to listen to the readings and sermon from Sunday on this text? Click here to view the first Sunday of Extended Advent.
P.P.S. Learn more about Extended Advent at Bethlehem, including this year’s theme Beyond Human Time. On Sunday, November 26 at 10:15 am following worship, you can make a festive wreath to decorate your home and visit with your BLC friends! Sign up at https://blcfairport.org/
Making connections with people is not something that comes naturally to most of us. Abby and Amy talk about seeing and responding to the humanity of the people around us and the act of beholding others. Here’s the link to the Kate Bowsler podcast Abby mentions.
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Ponderings
The hymns of the church capture our faith in poetry and song. The hymn, Rejoice, Rejoice Believers (ELW 244, stanza 4), communicates our hope in Christ’s promised return!
Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
arise, O Sun so longed for,
o’er this benighted sphere.
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth’s redemption
that sets your people free!
(Text: Laurentius Laurenti, 1660-1722; tr. Sarah B. Findlater, 1823-1907)
Come, Lord Jesus!
