Welcome to a Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg
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Advent Prayer link
Loving God, the days are drawing close to the birth of your son.
There is a lot we still need to "do" but help us to simply "be" and to slow down and savor these days.
You know the anticipation we feel. Help us to deepen that sense and to allow it to build in our hearts.
We are grateful for this great gift of your son in our lives
Continue to offer us the gentle nudge of your grace so we cherish that gratitude in the busy-ness of our days,
and let it move us to be more generous to those around us.
Amen
Advent Prayer link
O Jesus, in an empty desert your prophet John proclaimed: God is here, at your side.
God has come to bring about a kingdom where injustice and suffering will be no more,
where tears will be wiped away, and where those who turn to God will feast at a banquet.
"Turn now, your God is standing at your side. Reform your lives, God's kingdom is at hand."
In an empty desert John said these things.
Give me faith like John's, O Lord, strong enough to believe even in a desert
that you and your kingdom are no farther from me than my hand.
Make my heart strong like his, not swayed by trials or snared by false pleasures.
Give me courage to be faithful until your promises are fulfilled.
O King of all nations, Jesus Christ,
only joy of every heart,
come and save your people.
Amen
Scripture Reading: John 18:37 (NASB Bible Gateway)
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”
Advent Prayer for Courage and Strength link
Oh, Jesus, what courage it must have taken Mary and Joseph to make that trip to Bethlehem.
She was so near her time of delivering, and she left her family and traveled with Joseph for the census.
With no place to sleep, they both must have felt some fear.
Yet over and again you offered reassurance:
Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary into your home.
Do not be afraid, Zechariah.
And to the shepherds, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy.
The story of your nativity is filled with comfort and courage,
for them and for us.
Give us the strength we need
and help us to see those around us who are in fear and need our support on this day.
Amen
Benediction and Celebration:
Isaiah 9:6 (Bible Gateway-KJV)
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Hallelujah!
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I appreciated hearing how Pastor Burleson responded to the member who was going to miss the church service. After reading Kevin DeYoung’s article on church attendance last week it was a breath of anti-authoritarian fresh air. Of course this will once again negatively affect Pastor Burleson’s chances of gaining a roster spot on the celebrity conference circuit!
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Wade, what a truly wonderful “talk” as Eagle would say!!
What secular king would call those in the kingdom “his friends” as Jesus does? And what secular king would be available to those in the kingdom 24/7 as Jesus is? And would that king care about how many hairs are on each person’s head or that they have food and water to meet their daily needs? What secular king would encourage those in the kingdom to not worry as Jesus does? Oh what a King we have! One who gladly gives us the Kingdom that we might rule and reign with Him…
I was moved, Wade, by your visit to Herman as he lay dying from cancer. I can only hope and pray that when my time comes, the Lord will send someone who is as gentle, compassionate and encouraging as you. I pray for you and your ministry.
Deb, funny that you posted that song by Tetatonix. That video was played during the intermission at a hockey game I was at Friday night. We took note as it was not your average video at hockey games. I loved it! Thank you for the work you do in providing EChurch for us. I’m always so blessed to be in attendance! 🙂
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@ Victorious:
I loved the Tetatonix video, too! Kudos to Dee who made that song request for this week’s E-Church.
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@ Deb:
YAY!! We are relevant!
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TW wrote:
It is!
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Deb wrote:
Thank you, Dee! An amazing group!
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Pastor Burleson,
Allow me to extend kudos to your message! This needs to be preached more often from pulpits. Human relationships really are Kingdom here & now because they can pave the way for building bridges amongst humans rather than walls. For way too long now the emphasis has been on a sort of vacuum sealed Christianity with pie-in-the-sky-in-the-sweet-by-and-by. And if not to build a better world with the power we’re given by the Almighty? What’s the point? Merry Christmas and Providence guard you, your family, and all the folks in Enid.
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T.W., Victorious, Muff,
I’m glad you benefited from E-Church and join you in thanking Deb and Dee for their ministry. As one who understands the time commitment to put together various posts, E-church is a labor of love for these two ladies.
This five week series on the kingdom of Christ has been refreshing for me. I’m amazed at how little we Americans seem to understand about the reign of Christ in our lives. It’s so easy to substitute comfort for character, replace the Kingdom with non-profits, and get so infatuated with authority over others we lose sight of His authority over us.
Blessings to all and Merry Christmas!
Wade