BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//https://messiahofthemountains.org///NONSGML kigkonsult.se iCalcreator 2.10.15// METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20261025T130151UTC-744392hfLH@https://messiahofthemountains.org/ DTSTAMP:20261025T130151Z DESCRIPTION:We are a small church\, but big on Grace. We gather each Sunday at 11:00 am for worship by singing hymns\, hearing readings from the bibl e\, praying together and a celebration of Holy Communion. Communion is the spiritual bread our bodies need to live. All are invited to join us at th e Lord's table to be fed by his heavenly food\, There are no strangers in God’s house\, and if you choose to worship with us\, we would be honored b y your presence.\nIntroduction\nA note of joyful expectation marks today’s worship. Isaiah announces that the desert shall rejoice and blossom\, and Jesus points to the unexpected and transforming signs of God’s reign. We wait with patience for the coming of the Lord\, even as we rejoice at his presence among us this day: in word and holy supper\, in church and in our homes\, in silent reflection and in works of justice and love. We pray th at God would open our eyes and ears to the wonders of Christ’s advent amon g us.\n \n \nPrayer of the Day\nStir up the wills of all who look to you\, Lord God\, and strengthen our faith in your coming\, that\, transformed b y grace\, we may walk in your way\; through Jesus Christ\, our Savior and Lord\, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\, one God\, now a nd forever.\nAmen.\n \nFirst Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10 The prophet describes the return from the Babylonian captivity as a joyous procession to Zion. God’s coming reign will bring a renewal of creation in which health and wh oleness will be restored. There is no need for fear\, for God is coming to save.\n \nPsalm: 146:5-10 The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. (Ps . 146:8)\n \nSecond Reading:  \nJames 5:7-10 In anticipation of the Lord’s coming\, Christians are called upon to cultivate patience rather than dis content.\n \nGospel:  \nMatthew 11:2-11 John the Baptist expects the Messi ah to bring God’s judgment upon the earth (Matt. 3:11-12). From a prison c ell\, he wonders whether Jesus is the one who will do this. Jesus’ respons e indicates that God’s reign is indeed being fulfilled already through hea ling and restoration.\n2  When John heard in prison what the Messiah was d oing\, he sent word by his disciples\n3  and said to him\, “Are you the on e who is to come\, or are we to wait for another?”\n4  Jesus answered them \, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:\n5  the blind receive their si ght\, the lame walk\, those with a skin disease are cleansed\, the deaf he ar\, the dead are raised\, and the poor have good news brought to them.\n6  And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”  \n 7 As they went aw ay\, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out i nto the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?\n8  What\, then\ , did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look\, those who w ear soft robes are in royal palaces.\n9  What\, then\, did you go out to s ee? A prophet? Yes\, I tell you\, and more than a prophet.\n10  This is th e one about whom it is written\,  ‘See\, I am sending my messenger ahead o f you\,   who will prepare your way before you.’\n11  “Truly I tell you\, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist\ , yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”\n \n******** ***************************************************\nAfter the Sermon\, Ho ly Communion will be offered. Come as you are\, the gift of the Table of t he Lord has been prepared as Jesus has requested and now we are invited to the meal. Come to the table like Peter\, with m ore enthusiasm than resol ve and like James and John\, disappointed and the priorities of God’s reig n. Come to the table like Martha\, hosting and leading with confidence lik e Mary\, full of love and grief. Come to the table like Judas\, disillusio ned and rebellious and like Mary Magdalene\, faithful till the end. Come t o the table\, because it is God who invites us and it’s God’s will that th ose who want to should meet God here.\nBlessing for the day (Our blessing is an adaptation of a Franciscan Prayer)\nMay God bless us with discomfort at a Easy answers\, half truths and superficial leaderships so that we ma y live out God’s will deep in our heartland in our world.\nMay god bless w ith anger at injustice\, oppression and exploration and the environments t hat we may work for justice\, freedom and peace.\nMay God bless us with te ars to shed for those who suffer from pain\, rejection\, hunger and war so that we may reach out with hands and hearts to help them\, walk with them and turn their pain into hope and joy.\nAnd may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world\, so th at we can do what others claim cannot be done. To bring justice\, peace\, hope and love to all children\, the poor and all others in any need.\nGod be your comfort\, your strength\;\nGod be your hope and support\;\nGod be your light and your way\; and the blessing of God Creator\, Redeemer and G iver of Life\, remain with you now and forever. https://messiahofthemounta ins.org/events/event/610-third-sunday-of-advent-year-a-worship-service-11- 00-am-service-pastor-naomi-carriker DTSTART:20251214T160000Z DTEND:20251214T170000Z LOCATION:Messiah Of The Mountains Lutheran Church (3690 US-19E\, Burnsville \, NC 28714\, USA) SUMMARY:Third Sunday of Advent - Year A - Worship Service - 11:00 AM Servi ce -- Pastor Naomi Carriker URL:https://messiahofthemountains.org/events/event/610-third-sunday-of-adve nt-year-a-worship-service-11-00-am-service-pastor-naomi-carriker END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR