Oh, that you would reveal your MYSTERY

Advent – Christmas 2014

In Winnipeg, during the short days of Advent, we begin and end our daily routines without sunshine. For many, darkness in our land triggers seasonal affective disorder; our bodies long for the light of the sun. For many, darkness in the world triggers discouragement and fear; our spirits long for the light of the gospel.
Each week in Advent worship, we voice these longings as preparation for God’s radical arrival.
This faithful preparation puts Christmas in its proper place
—not a comforting destination where chestnuts roast on open fire, but as the completely disruptive in-breaking of God.
Just as our stained glass windows shed new light in our space for gathered worship, so the 1st and 2nd comings of Jesus shed new light on the divine mystery, helping us detect patterns, distinguish meaning, discern beauty.
This year our Advent worship focuses mostly on the culmination or end of all things. The Scriptures help us look forward to the second coming of Christ when the kingdom of God will be on earth, as it is in heaven. This focus has been part of Advent teaching since the fourth century; we are happy to continue this tradition.
The Scripture passages listed on the other side of this page are four lectionary texts for each week. Though not all four will be read in the worship service, all four together provide the background for the Sunday. You are encouraged to read them in preparation for our worship together.

30 Nov, '14
Oh, that you would reveal your HOPE
Mark 13:24-37; Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Cor. 1:3-9
Speaker: Mary Anne Isaak
07 Dec, '14
Oh, that you would reveal your PEACE
Mark 1:1-8; Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Speaker: Music Sunday
14 Dec, '14
Oh, that you would reveal your JOY
John 1:6-8, 19-28; Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126, 1 Thess. 5:16-24
Speaker: Doug Enns
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21 Dec, '14
Oh, that you would reveal your LOVE
Luke 1:26-38; 2 Samuel 7:1-16, Ps 89:1-4, 19-26; Rom 16:25-27
Speaker: Mary Anne Isaak
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28 Dec, '14
Your BEAUTY is revealed
Luke 2:22-40; Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7
Speaker: Gerhard Friesen
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04 Jan, '15
Your saving MYSTERY is revealed
Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 60:1-6, Ps 72:1-7, 10-14, Ephesians 3:1-12
Speaker: John Derksen
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