Worship Guide - Year C, Advent 4

​Hope is a condition of the soul, not a response to circumstances.
~Vaclav Havel
 
Hope is the struggle of a people.
~Jurgen Moltmann
 
“Hope” is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all
~Emily Dickinson
 
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
    and he shall be the one of peace.
~Micah 5:4b-5
 
No, we are not back to the first Sunday of Advent with its theme of hope. The nativity is near. The fourth candle--love—is set to be lit, and with it the aim of Christian hope, the precursor of peace, the surprise of joy: love has come, a radiant red beacon in the darkness.
 
Love, after all, is no feather light, flitting flight of fancy. It is a muscular, tenacious visitor that makes a home wherever it is born. The nativity, of course, is only the beginning. Love is cradled, fed, nurtured, reared, and protected. There’s nothing passive about it. It’s evidenced by who you run to with that 2:00 a.m. crisis. It’s unveiled where you reveal those most fragile of your gifts. It’s practice gives life and light to the world.
 
That’s what Mary and Elizabeth teach us. Enter into worship. 

Sunday Texts: Micah 5:2-5a † Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 80:1-7 † Hebrews 10:5-10† Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

---

We are gathering again in person. Thanks be to God! If you can't join us, you can watch the service in real-time 10:00am Sunday morning (PST) or view it upon completion by clicking on the video graphic to the left.

We continue to keep our financial commitments to our mission partners and staff. If you are not yet able to join us, thank you for remembering to send in your financial pledges and offerings or donating here. ​