Good Morning,
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday, December 22, 2024, the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
In this Sunday’s sermon, I invite us to explore the story of Mary and Elizabeth, a story of courage, faith, and God’s unfolding plan. Mary’s unexpected pregnancy brought challenges, but Elizabeth’s support shows us the power of encouragement and trust in God’s work and new beginnings.
Advent 4 Candle Prayer
Gracious and loving God, as we light this fourth candle of Advent, we remember Mary and Elizabeth, two women who embraced your plan with faith and courage, even when it defied expectation.
May this flame remind us of your call to support one another in times of uncertainty, to trust Your work in the new and unexpected, and to respond with open hearts and hands, just as Elizabeth welcomed Mary. Lord, as we prepare for the birth of Jesus, help us to see where you are bringing new beginnings into our lives. Give us the grace to embrace your plans with trust, the faith to walk forward in hope, and the love to affirm and encourage others in their journey. May this light guide us ever closer to the joy of Christmas, when the Light of the World will shine in our hearts and in our world.
As we continue this Advent journey, we cry out with confidence and expectation: Lord Jesus, come soon! Amen.
Today’s Opening Sentence
I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to his word. – Luke 1:38
Today’s Reading – Luke 1:39-45
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” 1
Your Online Message and Prayers
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Reflection questions for the week:
- When have you faced a situation where God was calling you to step into something new or unfamiliar? How did you respond, and what might you do differently now?
- Who in your life might need the kind of encouragement and support Elizabeth offered Mary? How can you be a source of faith and affirmation for them?
- Are there areas in your life where you’re clinging to the past or resisting the new beginnings God might be inviting you into? What would it look like to trust God fully in these areas?
- How can you better recognize and celebrate God’s work in the unexpected or challenging moments of your life and the lives of others?
A continued reminder that if you are at all uncomfortable being in-person for worship, or if you are not feeling well, please join us here online.
Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.
Find out how you can support our ministry and good work in the community here.
God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!
Peace,
The Rev’d Canon Rob Park
- Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. ↩︎