Redeemer Lutheran and St. Theodore’s

On Sunday, Dec. 22, the congregations of Redeemer Lutheran Church and St. Theodore of Canterbury Episcopal Church will celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent with Rev. Murray D. Finck presiding with a sermon titled: “What Shall We Do While We Want?” This sermon will be a continuation of the church’s current Advent series titled “What shall we do while we?”

The Communion and worship service meets at 13564 St. Andrews Drive at 10:30 a.m. After the service, there will be coffee, tea, cookies and snacks in the Fellowship Hall for people to enjoy. All are welcome.

The congregations continue to collect donations of canned and boxed foods for the hungry.

The Bible study is on a break and will return Jan. 8.

Advent Gatherings

Advent gatherings will be held Dec. 18, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The theme this year is “Let There Be Light!” will begin with an hour of inspiration and singing seasonal hymns. Following the first hour, there will be a shared meal beginning at 4 p.m.

Christmas Eve Service

The Christmas Eve service will be held in the sanctuary on Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 10:30 a.m.

All LWers are invited to bring friends, neighbors, and family to the service. It will be followed by a brunch in the Fellowship Hall.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

A prayer for those lighting advent wreaths in their home: “We praise you, O God, for this wheel of time that marks our days of preparation for Christ’s advent. As we light the candles on this wreath, open our eyes to see your presence in the lowly ones of this earth. Enlighten us with your grace, that we may sing of your advent among us in the Word made flesh. Grant this through Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain and whose day draws near, amen.”

(Light all four candles.) On the fourth Sunday of Advent, Mary goes to her cousin Elizabeth during the time of Elizabeth’s confinement. Mary releases a beautiful praise of God in response to Elizabeth’s greeting. The absolute trust and love that these women, and their husbands, place in God is inspiring to Christians.

These were not rich and powerful people with a life of ease. They were everyday people who loved and follow God. At no point does God tell them that their lives will be easy or soft if they do these things for him. There is no bargaining with God. There is just obedience coming from love.

This week of Advent, practice living in love for God and his many gifts he has given to each person.