Grace to you and peace, from God our Creator and the Lord Jesus Christ!  Anne Lamott is an author whose books I recommend to you for their refreshing way of opening up theological ideas.  On the third Sunday of Advent, on which we light the candle of joy, I would offer you a quotable quotation from her: “Joy is the best makeup.”  As such, it is something we might think of “putting on,” because there are times that simply do not feel joyfull.  Still, we are in a season that apparently asks of us to put on a joyful face in public, even while we all acknowledge that there are devastating circumstances around our world.  It was into that mood, into painful circumstances that Isaiah spoke his prophecies (varied periods that they were).  Imagine how the good news that he shares in the 61st chapter would resonate with the displaced persons today.  Imagine how the later faithful might also have struggled when first hearing Paul’s admonition to “Rejoice always!”  It is for them and for us as we struggle to put on joy that John the Baptist shared good news.  There is a light coming into the darkness.  Let’s celebrate tomorrow and help nurture each other’s hope and joy.

Following worship, we will meet to discuss whether our congregation may sign as coalition partners in the effort to get four gun safety measures approved by the Maine legislature.  All are welcome to stay in order to learn more about plans of the Maine Coalition for Gun Safety and ways you may choose to be involved.

Blessings and peace, Lisa

Worship at Home Materials:  We will be offering worship in-person as well as on Zoom this coming Sunday. Coffee & tea are available after the church service. Masks are suggested in the sanctuary and required during the singing of hymns, as the virus spreads most easily with the projection of droplets.

Psalm 100, NCH p. 688

A Reading from the Hebrew Bible                 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

A Reading from the Gospels                         John 1:6-8, 19-28

Message     “Advent Words of God: Joy and Jubilee” Pastor Lisa

Below you will find materials to accompany this week’s Sunday Morning Worship via Zoom.  An order of service with scripture readings, to accompany the service, are available by clicking the following links.   

Helpful Hint:  If you are planning to join the Sunday morning worship Zoom call, you might wish to print the following documents prior to joining the call, if you have that capability. 

*A link to the sermon will be shared on our website during the week following the service.

Worship Bulletin:

December 17, 2023
Service of Worship for Home

To join us for worship via Zoom, please use the following information.

Whether or not you choose to set up an account, when it’s time for the meeting, click the following link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87899064921

Meeting ID: 878 9906 4921
Passcode: 036961