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November 28, 2021

 “In the Coming Days” 

First Sunday of Advent

Rev. Doretta Colburn

In-Church Service

"Advent:

the time to listen for footsteps -

you can't hear footsteps when you're running yourself.”

Bill McKibben

Jeremiah 33:14-16   New Revised Standard Version

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The Righteous Branch and the Covenant with David

14 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

Luke 21:25-36   New Revised Standard Version

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The Coming of the Son of Man

25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

 

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

 

Exhortation to Watch

34 “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License # A-738807. All rights reserved.

November 21, 2021

 “The Truth Be Told” 

Christ the King Sunday

Rev. Doretta Colburn

In-Church Service

“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” Henry David Thoreau 

Psalm 126  New Revised Standard Version

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A Harvest of Joy:  A Song of Ascents.

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1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
   we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
   and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
   “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
   and we rejoiced.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
   like the watercourses in the Negeb.
5 May those who sow in tears
   reap with shouts of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
   bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
   carrying their sheaves.

John 18:33-37  New Revised Standard Version

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33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

 

34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”

 

35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?”

 

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

 

37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License # A-738807. All rights reserved.

November 14, 2021

 “Living a Hope-filled Life” 

Rev. Doretta Colburn

In-Church Service

“Hope is being able to see  that there is light

despite all of the darkness.”

Desmond Tutu

Psalm 16  New Revised Standard Version

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Song of Trust and Security in God

A Miktam of David.

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1 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.


2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
   I have no good apart from you.”

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3 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
   in whom is all my delight.

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4 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
   their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
   or take their names upon my lips.

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5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
   you hold my lot.


6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
   I have a goodly heritage.

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7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
   in the night also my heart instructs me.


8 I keep the Lord always before me;
   because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

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9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
   my body also rests secure.


10 For you do not give me up to Sheol,
   or let your faithful one see the Pit.

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11 You show me the path of life.
   In your presence there is fullness of joy;
   in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Image by Simon Berger

Mark 13:1-8   New Revised Standard Version

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The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

13 As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 2 Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

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3 When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?”

 

5 Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.

 

7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

WCC Virtual Choir

Here is Now Thank We all Our God

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Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License # A-738807. All rights reserved.

November 7, 2021

" What Is the Right Response? "

Rev. Doretta Colburn

In-Church Service

“I have held many things in my hand,

and have lost them all;

but whatever I have placed in God’s hands that I still possess.”

Martin Luther

1 Kings 17:8-16     New Revised Standard Version

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The Widow of Zarephath

8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 9 “Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.”

 

11 As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”

 

13 Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.”

 

15 She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

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Mark 12:38-44   New Revised Standard Version

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Jesus Denounces the Scribes

38 As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

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The Widow’s Offering

41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

WCC Virtual Choir

We Cannot Own the Sunlit Sky

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Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License # A-738807. All rights reserved.

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