Scriptures & Questions for December 3

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it
(some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

(St. Paul's uses the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary readings which are a little different from the Prayer Book Lections. The recent General Convention authorized the RCL as our official lectionary.)

December 3, 2006
1st Sunday of Advent, Year C
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of
darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of
this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit
us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come
again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the
dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.


The Scriptures
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-9
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36

Jeremiah 33:14-16
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.
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. 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."
________________

Imagine an ideal government. What qualities would constitute "justice and righteousness in the land"?
___________________________________________________

Psalm 25:1-10
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.
4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.
5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.
6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.
9 All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
______________

1 Advent is the beginning of the new Church Year.
Read this psalm as though you were writing a New Year's resolution letter.
What would you like to do this New Church Year?
_____________________________________________________

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy
that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray
most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore
whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct
our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound
in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for
you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you
may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our
Lord Jesus with all his saints.
_______________
1 Advent is the beginning of the new Church Year.
Read this lesson as though it were a letter from a beloved spiritual mentor on the occasion of the new year.
What would you like to do for this new Church Year?
_______________________________________________________

Luke 21:25-36
"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. People will faint from fear and foreboding of
what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will
be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud'
with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take
place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is
drawing near."

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

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with
dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that
day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all
who live on the face of the whole earth. 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."
______________

What discouraging signs do you see?
What encouraging signs do you see?
Where is the Kingdom of God present?
What does it mean to you to be alert?
___________________________________________________

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Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR