Summary
Good morning! What an absolute joy to be able to share with you in this way. For Neil and I, being Berkey members who live in Colombia and work with Mennonite Central Committee, the ability to connect for regular worship with you in Goshen has been an unexpected blessing of the pandemic.
At the same time, my ability to be here today is a testament to the upheaval of this year.
Entering this first week of Advent, we are torn by the grief and anxiety, we are tired, angry, and disoriented. Like the Psalmist (Psalm 80), we may wonder how far we may be from restoration. “O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? Restore us, O God of hosts, let your face shine, that we may be saved.” In Mark 13, Jesus speaks with the disciples, encouraging them to stay alert in the apocalyptic times between his death and second coming. “Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come.” But how are we to possibly keep awake as Jesus admonished, when the very stars are falling from the sky?
Bible References
- Mark 13:24 - 37
- Psalm 80:1 - 7
- Psalm 80:17 - 19
Sermon text
