This was the first Sunday of Advent, a Sunday to set the stage for the next four. In keeping with the penitent nature we celebrated Rite One at both 9am and 11am Morning prayer. Since it was the first Sunday in Advent we lit a wreath with a candle for hope.
Besides lighting the advent wreath, we dedicated a new cross made by Helmut for the sacristy door. It was made from the 1836 roof timbers which were removed to allow reconstruction of the belfry. In the "footbloc" an old square nail, which was made with a hammer and anvil, is visible. The darker finished wood has a mahogany finish to match the trim in our sanctuary. Helmut hopes that this cross will remind us of victory over death and of suffering, and that it will point to the unimaginable love our heavenly Father has for us–a reminder that Christ died for us so that we may live.
The sermon described the 3 doors of Advent. Today, it was the doorway of the Second Coming of Christ. It is end of the world with graphic language taken from Mark 13:24 which we are encouraged to watch. "So through this door we have just opened, we see into the future—We see in the distance, through this open door, the blinding radiance of God’s passionate love for each one of us. Jesus is the constant – Mark 13:31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away". If we are not watchful, we might be caught unaware and unprepared. "Keep awake to begin our work now." There is a balance – too much work today could make it seem like drudgery, but too little would help us forget the basis behind it.
The sermon described the mission: "Our work is to create as best we can, being the broken people that we are, "A community of love in which we care for the least and witness to the lost among us, "A community of people with faith in God’s power and might, "A community of prayerful expectation. So let this cry be our prayer as we stand in this first open doorway of Advent, in this gateway from which we see into heaven itself.