How Does A Weary World Rejoice? || We Acknowledge Our Weariness || The First Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 1, 2024 || 11:00am
Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol || Pastor
As Advent begins, we start by acknowledging the weariness, grief, rage, and hopelessness we carry—and we also affirm that we are made for joy. We start our worship series with Zechariah and Elizabeth who have battled infertility and have lived many years. Perhaps they feel the weight of hopes and dreams unattained. I suspect they know well the burden of sadness and disappointment. The angel Gabriel then comes to Zechariah with a promise of good news. But Zechariah can’t fully receive it. Sometimes weariness can both harden and prevent us from living fully. Let us acknowledge the ways we, too, are hardened by disbelief. Like the psalmist, let us ask, “how long?” and plead for restoration while trusting that restoration does, indeed, come.
Join us as this sacred season begins. The sacrament of holy communion will be celebrated. Familiar tunes will be sung. Good news will be proclaimed.