Advent 1, Sunday, November 30th at 10 am

The Season of Advent is upon us! Come, join us in this time of anticipation. We are celebrating with baptisms and member transfers. There will be Sunday school during the service and coffee after the service. We hope that you can join us!

Here are Rev. Marlene’s notes on the upcoming message for Sunday, November 30th.

“He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Isaiah 2:4

Advent begins with an inclusive vision from Isaiah.  In it we see a mountain (Zion), the Lord God, God’s temple, nations, instruction (torah in Hebrew), God’s “ways” and “paths,” and warriors-turned-farmers.  Together, they make up a unified image of God’s plan for humanity.  At the centre is Mount Zion.  Although Mount Zion is physically smaller than neighbouring mountains, like the Mount of Olives, it provided the focal point in Jerusalem.  It was there that the Lord’s temple was built to serve as God’s dwelling and royal throne. Attracting all the nations to Zion’s temple, God makes Zion the place where all people come to worship.

Moreover, from this holiest height, God’s instruction (torah) goes forth. The results are twofold.  First, God’s instruction judges all nations (not just Israel).  Second, conflicts among the nations cease.  Military equipment (swords and spears) turn into farming tools (ploughs and pruning hooks). At its core, Isaiah’s vision gives us an image of God’s plan for all humanity. Global populations, by walking in God’s ways, will come to abide in God’s peace.  Isaiah’s vision provides a guide and goal for Advent as we seek the promise of the divine peace that is shared with the world through Christ.

Life Question: “What would it look like for me to walk in God’s light in the way I live this week?”

                                                                Rev. Marlene