CreatingCommunity is an email devotion to guide your preparation for worship next weekend. Imagine how much more clear and relevant God's Word will be if you have had an opportunity read, reflect, and dwell in the Word prior to worship. You may do this devotion alone, with others, as a family, or over Zoom as a small group.

This devotion is to be done in preparation for this coming weekend's worship.

Please follow these three steps:

1. Read through the text
2. Respond to the questions (select one of the sets of questions)
3. Offer a Prayer
Mark 13:24-37
[Jesus said:] “In those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
No Experience Necessary Questions:
  1. What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?
  2. What delights me in this text?
  3. What stories or memories does this text stir in me?
  4. What is God up to in this text?
Family Questions (for the entire family):
  1. What special day is coming at the end of December? What are some of the special things you and your family do to get ready for that day? Make a list.
  2. Using an Advent Wreath can help you and your family prepare for Christmas. Do you have an Advent Wreath? If you don't have one they are available outside the church front door.
  3. We will talk about Advent this Sunday at 9:30 during our Zoom worship. I look forward to seeing you, your family, and your Advent wreath at that time. Will you be joining us?
Advance Questions:
  1. Why does the church begin its liturgical year with Advent? Why not start with Jesus' birth? How does Advent prepare us for Christmas?
  2. What do you think it means to "keep awake"? What are some of the ways Christians, as individuals and as a community, stay alert in preparation for Jesus arrival in power and glory? Make a list.
  3. The church looks forward to the end time because no matter whatever else it is, it is when Jesus returns. What do we know about Jesus return that would be good news? How is it good news for you?
Click here to listen to this week's CreatingCommunity song,
"There is a Mighty Question" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.
Scroll down to see the text.
You have time, they start again. (:
Prayer
God of justice and peace, from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness, that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder before your marvelous deeds.
Raise our heads in expectation, that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord and prepare for the return of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
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