All are welcome to join us as we journey through Advent.  The service starts at 10 am.  There is Sunday School during the service and coffee afterwards.

Here is a bit of what Marlene will speak about.

Marlene’s Rev. Notes:

“Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together.” Isaiah 40:5

There is a beautiful musicality to this reading of Isaiah, which we all experienced last week during the choir’s Anthem. It begins in a soothing tone, then builds in intensity with startling imagery and a joyful proclamation and then returns to a soothing tone at the end.

Jerusalem is entering a new phase of life, for “she had served her term, and her penalty is paid.” God has never forgotten, or abandoned her, and has shown his tender care in the depth of his forgiveness. The phrases “my people” and “your God” harken back to the covenant formula familiar to the people, “I will be your God and you will be my people.” This statement is recalled and renewed throughout the Old Testament.

This new beginning even shows itself in the land being shifted noticeably. Even the earth manifests God’s glory and no one can ignore it. This new era displays solidarity in that “all the people shall see it together.” No one is left out or pushed aside.

It is such “good news” that it must be proclaimed from the mountaintop! The use of both the title “Zion” and “Jerusalem” show us the all-encompassing effect of the news as Zion has religious and Jerusalem political connotations. As members of God’s beloved community today, we too are invited to share in the comfort spoken of in Isaiah. We take comfort in the joy of our eternal relationship with God, and the birth of Jesus, which we will celebrate in a few weeks. “Here is your God!” Isaiah proclaims. This is Good News indeed!

                                                                Rev. Marlene