Blooming in the Desert

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship! Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact with this growing community of faith. And so, if you are joining us for the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday: You are welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation. Advent Week 6: Desert Will Rejoice — Virginia Olejnik As our nights grow longer and our days grow short, we look on these earthly signs — light and green branches — and remember God’s promise to our world: Christ, our Light and our Hope, will come.

Candle Reader — Jeanette Williams Listen to the words of Isaiah, the prophet: “¹The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus ²it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. ³ Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. ⁴ Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God.” – Isaiah 35:1-4

Candle Lighter — Fred Reker

Candle Prayer — Rev. Johan Dodge Let us pray: Holy God, your prophets have long spoken of the one who comes to lead us into your way of life. Now the promise is fulfilled; now your kin-dom is at hand and in our hands. Send us as messengers of your way, to go and tell all the world of the wonders we have seen and the good news we have heard; through Jesus and your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Waters break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; the burning sand has become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water.

The time has come, near and in hand, for us to be your way of love.

Show the strength of your hand, O God, and lift the burdens of the poor.

The time has come, near and in hand, for us to be your way of love.

Work wonders for the humble, and scatter the plans of the proud.

The time has come, near and in hand, for us to be your way of love.

Look with favor upon the lovely, and cast down tyrants from their thrones.

The time has come, near and in hand, for us to be your way of love.

Fill the hungry with good things, and empty the hands of the greedy.

The time has come, near and in hand, for us to be your way of love.

Then we will sing out with joy and glorify you forever, through Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Loving God, in this dry and dusty place, pour out the power of your Spirit so that your Word may blossom in our lives; through Jesus the Christ, our way in the wilderness. Amen.

Matthew 11: 2-11 ² When John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent word by his disciples ³ and said to Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” ⁴ Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. ⁶ And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” ⁷ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. ⁹ What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ ¹¹ “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kin-dom of heaven is greater than he.

The signs of the kin-dom continue today — “The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. Where do you see these signs, find the positive, and stay focused on the love of G od? Where do you struggle against the darkness of this world? Who might help you to bloom in the desert of this world?

As a farmer plants the seeds and waits for the rains to come, let us entrust our gifts to God as we prepare for the harvest of love. Amen.

Thanks be to you, O God, maker of heaven and earth — giver of justice, lover of kindness, hope of the afflicted, and friend of the poor. Take and use these gifts we offer to further your purpose in the world and to fulfill the promise of the world to come; in the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

May your hearts be strong and your way of service be clear, and may the blessing of God be with you as you bloom in the world around us. Amen.