Monday Devotional: December 19, 2022

Lord God of heavenly forces, how long will you fume against your people’s prayer? You’ve fed them bread made of tears; you’ve given them tears to drink three times over! You’ve put us at odds with our neighbors; our enemies make fun of us. Restore us, God of heavenly forces! Make your face shine so that we can be saved! (Psalm 80:4-7 CEB)

When I was worshiping with another congregation, I was stunned by the omission of something very important: the words of assurance after the prayer of confession.

I’m not upset with the exclusion of a prayer of confession. I personally like having it in a worship service, but there are reasons for leaving it out. What was omitted this time, however, was the assurance of pardon, when the worship leader proclaims to the people, “In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.” Offering words of assurance is a tremendous privilege that I cannot imagine withholding.

This Psalm stands for me as the moment just between the confession and the pardon. Is there any more anticipation than when you’ve admitted your shortcomings to God and you are leaning forward in spirit to be reminded of that gift of Christ? The week leading up to Christmas feels a bit like that moment of pause, too.

That pause can be as short as the moment in liturgy, the final week of preparation before Christmas, or our lifelong experience in the time between the physical birth of Jesus and the moment of his return.

Prayerful Reflection

What confession do I need to make in order to fully anticipate the presence of Christ?

(and a note from Pastor Anna… In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.)

By Anna Guillozet, Advent: A Calendar of Devotions 2022, pages 38.

Join us for Our Advent Bible Study

“Prepare the Way of the Lord” by Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.

Session 4: Witnesses, Testifying to the Light

In-Person Session:
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Fellowship Hall.

Zoom Session:
Monday, December 19, 2022
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Session Goals:

1. Define the relationship of John the Baptist to Jesus, drawing on several passages from the Gospels.
2. Consider the consequences of speaking God’s truth to people in positions of power by studying the story of John the Baptist’s arrest and execution.
3. Reflect on the images connecting John to Jesus in the prologue to John’s Gospel (John 1:1-14), and think about not only new images for communicating the same truths but also practical ways of “witnessing to the light.”
4. Identify individuals we could and will invite to worship or other participation in congregational life.