Advent Devotions 2020 Epworth UMC Advent Devotions 2020: Nov. 29 Psalm 30: 4-12 Mike Love Nov. 30 Proverbs 19: 20-21 Cathy Braddock Dec. 1 Jeremiah 29: 10-14 Pat Hayes Dec. 2 Mathew 23: 1-12 Peter Wehrly Dec. 3 Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 Linda Crosby Dec. 4 Psalm 27: 1-3; 13-14 Epworth Youth Dec. 5 Ephesians 2: 19 – 22 Susan Love Dec. 6 Lamentations 3: 55- 57 Anonymous Dec. 7 Philippians 4: 2 – 9 Beverly Bennett Dec. 8 Psalm 66: 1-4 Susan Meister Dec. 9 Isaiah 11: 1- 5 Jim Anderson Dec. 10 James 1: 1 -12 David & Lana Doggett Dec. 11 Luke 12: 25-26 Dorothy White Dec. 12 Psalm 119: 33-40 Dorothy White Dec. 13 1Thessalonians 5: 12 – 24 Epworth member Dec. 14 Psalm 80:1-7; 17-19 Anonymous Dec. 15 Psalm 121: 1-8 Kevin Walters Dec. 16 James 5:13-16 Suzanne Winter Dec. 17 Psalm 119: 105-112 Joan Auld Dec. 18 Psalm 46: 1-3; 11 Mike Love Dec. 19 Psalm 138: 1-8 Sharon Manning Dec. 20 Isaiah 40: 1-11 Richard Ebsen Dec. 21 Psalm 1 Diana Decker Dec. 22 1 Peter 5: 10-11 Katy Trick Dec. 23 Ephesians 4: 1-16 Kevin Walters Dec. 24 Psalm 100 Nancy Bennett November 29, 2020 – Psalm 30:4-12 Pastor Mike Love (Epworth UMC) The Psalmist speaks from experience, out of sorrow and into faith. “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy will come with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5b) How many times have we been in trial? How many times must we endure? The Psalmist says, “You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” (Psalm 30:11) When our daughter was 3 (almost 4) and our son was 2 months, Susan was in the hospital. It was the eve of Christmas Eve. The projection had been grim. But now, we were home. Katie, Michael, and I had lived in Dallas with my parents. I had commuted to Ft Worth. At night I was with Susan. And then it happened. We were home for Christmas. As we looked at the Christmas tree before us that eve of Christmas Eve, Michael was fast asleep. Katie was sitting on a step stool looking at the tree. Her Mommy and Daddy stood by. The tree was decorated and lit. Katie said, “This is the best Christmas ever.” I live by this hope. I hope in Christ who came into this world for you and me….and everyone. He gave of himself in life and in death, completely. That night for Susan and me is not how everything works. Eventually we die. Lazarus died. But in Christ, God said death is not the end. AND Christ will come again. For me, for us, our preparation, here forward, relies on our faith in Christ and what God is doing in each of us. This Advent, may we ponder and celebrate this Hope that lives in a Love that Never Ends. Lord, You have turned our mourning into dancing. Amen and Amen. November 30, 2020 – Proverbs 19: 20 – 21 Cathy Braddock (Epworth UMC member) All of us have plans and dreams of what we desire in a fresh New Year. The Covid-19 pandemic we are experiencing this year has stopped us in our tracks. It seems as though normal everyday living will be forever out of reach and we ask “Why?” It is all about control. We can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. We must remember God’s sovereignty and abide in His wisdom and trust His will for our lives. We must remind ourselves that our plans will not prevail over His plans. This allows us to rest in His perfect peace for our lives and choose faith over fear. Amen. December 1, 2020 – Jeremiah 29: 10-14 Pat Hayes (Epworth UMC member) The letter of Jeremiah begins by explaining that the exiles are being taken to Babylon because of their sins and that they shall remain there for several generations. One important verse that Christians often quote is Jeremiah 29:11. This is a message of hope and a promise of a good future that is easy to cling to and repeat. I’ve been doing battle for three months from a fall and a broken hip. I have had discomfort, pain and uncomfortable therapy. In my daily devotions, I’m reading Paul’s admonitions to rejoice and give thanks. I’m definitely not rejoicing over my current situation. As I reread the verses, I noticed, “Give thanks in all circumstances”. “How can I start giving thanks in all my circumstances?” I ask myself. Then I decide to make a list of all the things I have to be thankful for. I’m thankful for the medical team that took care of me. I’m thankful for my family and friends who prayed for me and my two daughters, Suzanne and Kayla that are still taking care of me. Lord, I’m so grateful for your patience in showing me that no matter what situation I find myself in, you are there. Therefore, I can give thanks and rejoice. December 2, 2020 - Matthew 23:1-12 Peter Wehrly, Retired Pastor Advent is a season of preparation. Preparing ourselves (spiritually) for the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Christ. When I read this text from the Gospel of Matthew, my first thought is, “How are these verses preparing me for Advent?” Also, “Okay, seminary trained theologian, how do they relate to me in 2020?” Matthew 23 is a vitriolic attack on the leaders of Israel, who’ve created obstacles to worship the God of Abraham. But the scribes and Pharisees themselves are all show and little action. The phylacteries and the fringes (vs 5) are required clothing (see Dt. 6:8 & Nu 15:37-41) for Jewish people. Their purpose was to remind people of God’s commandments. The Jewish leaders, however, decided they needed to “stand out” and had made them into a fashion statement. They would then chastise any who weren’t suitably adorned. Covid-19 has brought a lot of changes for all of us. Masks are often required in many locations. Often, they have created a bit of political furor. What would happen, though, if rather than looking at masks as a political issue, we view them as an opportunity to share our faith? Phylacteries and fringes were to remind people of God’s commandments. Aren’t masks a way to show Jesus’ commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself?” (Mt 22:39) When we mask, we’re showing others that our neighbor’s health is important to us. That we love them enough that we want them to be safe. PRAYER: Thank you, God, for giving us opportunities to share our faith and to be an example of Jesus. During this season of preparation, may we use our time to show others of your love for us and our love of others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Dear God, Father, Jesus, You have told us in your Word that we are to enter your presence with praise and thanksgiving. I come now, gladly acknowledging your sovereignty, your majesty, your awesome omnipotence. But I am equally aware you are a God of love and grace, of mercy and peace…and I bask in the warmth of our friendship. Today I have no agenda but to worship you and to thank you for who you are and what you have already done for me. AMEN. December 3, 2020 – Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 Linda Crosby (Epworth UMC member) A Time for Everything “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” I’ve heard this scripture all my life and didn’t always understand it. My niece embroidered and gave me a small quilt with this first verse and the four seasons embroidered on it. It’s hanging on a small old wooden wash basin table in my entry. I fold the quilt just right, so the appropriate seasons are pictured. The changing seasons in nature helps us to understand the changes in all life here on earth and, oh, what amazing creations and learning experiences God has given us. During the “COVID-19” season, I’ve experienced, we’ve all experienced, a lot of these feelings and activities under heaven. We’ve grieved the loss of friends and family. I’ve felt very sad on some days for many reasons and then very thankful the next moment or the next day. We’ve laughed or stressed over trying to find toilet paper or how to wear hearing aids, glasses, and a mask all at the same time without losing one of them in the process. I’ve lost one of my hearing aids twice outside at church on two different days. I cried, I prayed and with the help of God I found my hearing aid twice. The second time, of course, I was praying “give me one more chance God”. I’m pretty sure I could hear God tell me, “didn’t you learn anything the first time I helped you find that hearing aid?” Thank you, Lord. I can laugh about it now. We’ve seen terrible things play out on the news with deaths, rioting, shortages, loss of jobs, and disrespect of God, country and people. We have seen kindness, too. We have seen people stepping up to feed the hungry, first responders working endless, a victim’s brother forgive the individual who killed his brother, and people thanking God when their homes had been destroyed by storms.