December 1, 2010 Praying the Advent Season

Wednesday December 1

Candle Lighting: Come, Lord Jesus.

Opening Prayer:
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.
By your merciful protection
Save us from the threatening dangers of our sins and enlighten our walk in the ways of your salvation.


Today's Lessons
Wednesday, December 1 – Isaiah 54:1-10 and
Matthew 24:23-35

Feature Lesson Matthew 24: 23-35
Matthew 24:23-35 (New International Version, ©2010)
23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.
26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
29 “Immediately after the distress of those days
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[a]
30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[b] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.[c] 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[d] is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.


God’s promise is one of compassion and peace, the fulfillment of which is
eternal and unmistakable. There are those who will attempt to point to the coming
fulfillment by interpreting prophecy and looking for signs, but the ones who are
most in need of the fulfillment of God’s promise truly know it when it comes.
“Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” Christ gathers himself to
those who are barren, desolate, discouraged, ashamed, forsaken and grieved in
spirit. To these Christ brings the covenant of peace, steadfast love, compassion,
the fulfillment of God’s promise. To you who are afflicted, storm-tossed and not
comforted, heaven and earth will pass away, but the promise God speaks of –
steadfast love and the covenant of peace – will remain with you forever.


“The Lord will shower his gifts and our land will yield its fruit.” Ps. 85, 13

Thanks to:The Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, ELCA and http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112810.html.


Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Called as God's People
Equipped by the Holy Spirit
Sent to boldly proclaim the love of Jesus Christ to all people.