Worship this weekend:  5:00 pm. Saturday in Chapel

8:30 a.m. Sunday – Traditional Worship

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship
Joel 2:12-13, 28-29

Key Verses: “Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.” Joel 2:13

Time: About 430 B.C.E.

Since Last Week: Having been freed from Babylonian exile by the Persians, the Israelites returned home and began to rebuild. Ezra and Nehemiah report that during this time the temple was rebuilt, the Torah was reestablished as the law and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt.

Background: Joel contains strong imagery to paint a picture of Israel’s destruction and renewal. Many of these images call to mind the saving work of God in leading the people out of slavery in Egypt during the time of Moses. God uses the natural world to exercise power and promise for the people.

During Advent we reflect on the emptiness of the world and anticipate the coming of the Christ child. Joel’s reading is relevant for us today, as a call to repentance and renewal of faith and action.

Community: How is your community of faith preparing for Christmas? What difference will your preparations make in the larger community around you? What can you do to bring hope and renewal to people in need?

At Home: What in your life requires repentance and renewal? Who in your life needs hope? How can you bring hope to those who need it?

Read This Week:
Monday: End of Babylonian Captivity, Ezra 1:1-11
Tuesday: Lament over the Ruined Country, Joel 1:1-12
Wednesday: Call to Repentance and God’s Response, Joel 1:13-20 (or 1:13-2:32)
Thursday: Dedication of the Temple, Ezra 6:13-22
Friday: Ezra Restores Torah as Law, Nehemiah 8:1-12
Saturday: Dedication of Jerusalem’s Wall, Nehemiah 12:27-43 (or 12:27-47)

Next Week: Isaiah Announces Liberty, Isaiah 61:1-11

Sunday marks the beginning of Advent, four Sundays of preparation and joyful anticipation of the birth of Jesus.

Sunday we begin to light our Advent wreath.  If you, or your family, would like to help out with the reading for the lighting of the candles, please let me know.

Worship this weekend – Saturday 5;00 p.m. – Worship in the chapel with Holy Communion
Sunday 8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship with Holy Communion
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School, Adult Bible Study, Coffee and Fellowship
10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion

A prayer for the season:

AN ADVENT PRAYER

Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the darkness,

send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.

We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” Amen.

– Henry Nouwen, 2001.

It will be a very special Sunday at ELC as we gather for the dedication worship for our new addition.

There will be one Sunday morning worship with Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m.

Bishop Bruce Burnside will be with us to bring the message.  We’ll have music from the Senior Choir, Youth Choir, Cherub Choir, and Sunday School, as well as songs led by the Praise team, and traditional hymns sung with the organ.

Following worship there will be a lunch served in the fellowship hall.

Come celebrate with our church family, walk around the new addition, and visit with friends.

If you’re still around at noon and are concerned about missing the kickoff, stop down and watch the game in the Zaccheus room.

There will still be Saturday worship at 5:00 p.m. with Holy Communion

Saturday morning a group of 30 youth and adults will be packing meals for “Feed My Starving Children” at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Madison.  The goal is to pack 100,000 meals on Friday night and Saturday, with volunteers from the area.

The attached photo is of the “Faith” room in the new addition.  This space around the corner from the offices is designed for  small meetings, conversations, and counseling.

We’re looking forward to our Dedication worship on Sunday, November 18th.

Worship this weekend:  5:00 p.m. Saturday in the Chapel