EChurch@Wartburg – 12.10.17

Welcome to a Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg

The TWW community would love to pray for you!

Please include your prayer request in the comment section of this post

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xmastreenewyork06.jpg

Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center

Here is our Order of Worship

Advent Prayer link

I lift my heart up to you, Lord,
to thank you for the blessings
you shower on me each day.

You are the ‘joy of my soul.’
I know that in your great love,
I am held and protected by you.

I pray and listen to the good news you send;
I ask and feel the healing.
I am freed by you
from the things in this world
that let me hide from you.

I rejoice, I rejoice, down to my soul.
Help me to prepare my heart
to be open and able to receive your immense love.
Amen

Advent Prayer link

Oh, Adonai, dearest Lord,
Compassionate God of justice,
so many areas of my life seem imprisoned
but you promise me real freedom
and peace in my life.

Renew my spirit and free my soul.
Please, open my heart which you have bathed in the longing of Advent.

I am awe-struck as your glory fills the earth and I want to follow you in caring for other.
Grant me the grace to see how you shine your light on the poor who have such a special place in your heart.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Amen

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:7-11 (NASB Bible Gateway)

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is [b]Christ the Lord.

Advent Prayer link

Oh, Jesus, you hold the key
that will unlock my constricted heart.
It gives me great hope
that Mary said yes to you and your plan.
She was filled with the Spirit
and put aside her own doubts.

I know you are ready to answer my prayers,
ease my doubts and calm my fears.
Sometimes I don’t hear your messengers
because they aren’t what I expect.
They aren’t wearing wings or halos
but are the people standing in front of me.

How many times have I not listened?
How often have I balked at your messages
and your messengers?

Fill me with the light of your Spirit
and enter, in all your glory
into my life.
Let me rejoice!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Amen

Advent Benediction link

Go now and walk in the light of the Lord.
Stay alert for the Lord is near.
Put on the armour of light
and live openly and honourably.
Pray for peace for all God’s people.

And may God clothe you in the light of Christ;
May Christ Jesus teach you his ways;
And may the Holy Spirit keep you alert and prepared
for the coming day of the Lord.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
…In the name of Christ.
Amen.

Comments

EChurch@Wartburg – 12.10.17 — 15 Comments

  1. A very nice eChurch this morning. I went through the whole sermon today and it gave me something to think about.

    On the one hand, my wife recently passed her certification exam. This is a huge boost for her career both financially and in breaking the ceiling for promotions as well.

    During her studies she would regularly ask me to pray with and for her. I am not a believer (as in I don’t believe the bible literal and inerrant) but because I love my wife dearly and it was important to her, I did both pray with her and for her (it was not lip service. I sincerely put my best effort in, I may not be Christian but I am a man of my word – I found the book of Psalms helpful with some of the wording).

    So my wife passed (in her mind against all odds though I think the hours of study helped), and to be honest it seems ungrateful if I don’t at least say thank-you. Here seems as good a place to say it so I did say a prayer of thanks today.

    But with our family’s good fortune we also heard about friends who are going through a difficult time. Their lab was purchased by another company and of the 100 plus employees only 20 are going retained.

    I’m uncomfortable thinking or prayer as some sort of cosmic slot machine, but I would like to send some good thoughts (ok, prayers) to those going through job loss this season.

    For myself there are lots of things I want (health issues etc etc) but our local food bank put out a call for baby formula – apparently that’s the big item they can’t seem to get enough of.

    But I’ve got means, not a high roller but I do ok….so instead of asking for anything for myself, I’ll give a donation for baby formula. Maybe it answers someone’s prayer.

    Peace.

  2. Jack wrote:

    100 plus employees only 20 are going retained.

    big fingers small phone…only 20 staff are going to be retained – 80% are going to lose their jobs.

  3. Jack wrote:

    But I’ve got means, not a high roller but I do ok….so instead of asking for anything for myself, I’ll give a donation for baby formula. Maybe it answers someone’s prayer.

    God often provides for some through the efforts of others. That’s how the Body of Christ cares for one another.

    Thanks for your post, Jack. I, too, have often found Wade’s words thought-provoking.

  4. Lovely songs!

    Please pray for my autistic son, age 3. He is not sleeping through the night lately and also has very little language. Thank you!

  5. @ Marie:

    Marie

    Your prayer request has been on my heart. I pray that you will feel God’s presence and love and that God will help your son to sleep,

  6. What Happened,

    Thanksso much…a couple of nights since this post he actually has slept through the night. 🙂

  7. @ Bridget:
    @ Deb:

    Thank you. Feeling improved today. Actually got some sleep last night for the first time in a week. 🙂
    Don’t know when I’m going home yet or how much of this medicaid will cover, but we’ll deal with those bridges when we come to them. Right now, I’m happy to be breathing. 🙂
    When EMTs arrived Tuesday night, my oxygen in my lungs was down to low 80s. They put a mask on and it was up to low 90s quickly. I’ve never been on oxygen before. Thought it would suck. But when you need oxygen, the delivery method (nose tube, now) is no big deal. 🙂
    Prayers when you think of me would be nice. 🙂
    Love to you and Merry Christmas

  8. @ Jack:
    Jack, I’m so glad you’ve started a conversation with God! That’s what prayer is, I think, and I’ve found myself sustained in those conversations. Congratulations to your wife!