God's Loving Presence in a Hurting World | | |
Musings from the Pastor's Desk
1st Sunday in Advent
November 30, 2025
| |
|
I’m Thankful to Be The Only Bible Others May Ever Read
Last Sunday, Brother Dan Williams delivered the Word for us. I anticipated his message would be fitting four days before Thanksgiving, a time when we gather with family and friends, eat too much, and give thanks for the abundance God has blessed us with.
Sunday, Dan shared two things that stayed with me and are fitting for Thanksgiving. First, Dan mentioned his habit of saying, “I’m thankful” every time someone asks, “How are you?” People often notice his response. According to Dan, it gives him a chance to tell others about God’s blessings in his life. What a wonderful way to share God’s word of promise, hope, and love! In Christ, we have everything we need, but sometimes we lack something or life gets tough, we still have our Savior and the promise of eternal life.
Sometimes it's hard to feel thankful when we have everything we need, and it's also difficult to be grateful when we think we're missing something. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This verse can help shift our focus away from anxiety and toward contentment by reminding us of God's goodness and care, even in tough times.
The second thing Dan shared that stayed with me was the quote, “Be careful how you live, you might be the only Bible some people ever read.” Wow, this is a powerful statement!
As we gather in gratitude this Thanksgiving, let us remember that actions speak louder than words. Every act of kindness allows us to reflect God’s love to others. Even when we face struggles, living with thankful hearts enables us to be a blessing; in a sense, we may become the only Bible that the world may ever read.
Our actions can help others shift their focus away from anxiety and toward contentment by reminding them of God's goodness and care, even when others do not see us. We might start to overlook our own difficulties as we model God's love to others.
| | |
On Sunday, we gathered with members of the North Clinton Citizens Association to pack sixteen Thanksgiving meals, including turkeys, that were given to hungry families at James Ryder Randall ES and Stephen Decatur MS. Many families today are not having their needs met, and Hope Lutheran Church was the Bible that some people may ever read. Living our faith by loving our neighbors as God loves us.
Monday, as I have done with the NCCA for the past three years, we delivered the food you gratefully donated.
Join us for worship this Sunday at 10:30 AM or watch live on Facebook at Hopeclinton. Sunday marks the start of the first week of Advent, a season of waiting and preparation for celebrating Jesus' birth at Christmas and anticipating His second coming.
Also on Sunday, we will partake in our special Advent cookie fellowship hour. I promise the Advent cookies are better than anything Nabisco made!
| | |
|
All are welcome!
Peace+
Pastor Eric
| | | |
1st Sunday in Advent
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44
Household Prayer: Morning
God, as this new day dawns, may your Spirit guide my feet and reveal you to me in new ways as I walk through your world today. Amen.
Household Prayer: Evening
Holy One, thank you for the gift of this day. Whatever has happened, whatever I’ve done and left undone, help me hear the voice of Jesus tonight, telling me to go to sleep as I am and not be afraid. Amen.
| Luther Seminary invites you to use the 2025 Advent devotional, “Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding!” for personal use this Advent. | If you are already a God Pause subscriber, you will receive “Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding!” in your email inbox each day during Advent. If you’re not a God Pause subscriber, | to receive the daily devotion. Once Advent ends, you’ll continue to receive daily God Pause devotions written by Luther Seminary alumni. | |
Shoebox Assembly
Please join us after worship THIS Sunday to prepare the
Christmas Shoeboxes for S.O.M.E.
| |  | |
Bible Study
There will be NO Bible Study this Friday, 11/29/2025.
| |
Words to Ponder
We must find the time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.
John F. Kennedy
Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.
Maya Angelou
| |
Choir News
This Sunday, our choir will sing the anthem, "Bethlehem Star."
We will rehearse ten minutes before the service begins.
| |
Oxon Hill Food Pantry
Let's help them. Bring your items to the church and we'll get them to the food pantry. Thank You!
Macaroni & Cheese
Jelly
Cans of Salmon
Green Beans
Rice
| |
Advent Cookies
Advent begins THIS Sunday. During Advent, we will serve cookies and other finger foods after the Sunday worship service. Please sign up to bring a plate of cookies or a finger food.
| |
Midweek Advent Worship
Once again we will hold our Midweek Advent Worship service on three Wednesdays during Advent: December 3rd, 10th, and 17th, at 12noon.
| |
Blue Christmas Service
When: Monday, December 22nd at 12noon
| | | |
Advent in Germany
In Germany, Advent begins the Sunday after Christ the King Sunday, just like the US. Christmas markets then gradually open, as churches place great importance on, and often manage to implement, the practice of opening them only in the week before the first Sunday of Advent. In larger cities, Christmas markets are open daily until December 24th, while smaller towns often only have a Christmas market on one weekend, and villages only on one day. These shorter Christmas markets are mostly organized by local clubs and associations, who raise funds by selling mulled wine, bratwurst, or potato pancakes.
| |
Homemade jams, cookies, hand-knitted socks and hats are also popular items. A hot mulled wine with friends at the Christmas market is a wonderful experience, even if the quality of the mulled wine is often nothing to write home about.
At home, we decorate with an Advent wreath, Moravian stars, a candle arch, and in Saxony, we often add the typical Erzgebirge Christmas figures of carolers or figures of miners and angels. We either bake or buy (or both!) Christmas cookies and company, club, and community Christmas parties with lavish meals fill the calendar.
| | |
Who actually remembers that Advent was originally a time of fasting?
Christmas Cheers from Germany!
Veronika Frey
| | | | |
Annual Coat Drive
We will once again participate in the Annual Coat Drive with the North Clinton Citizen's Association. We’re collecting coats for both girls and boys, sizes 5-20. Coats must be new or gently used and clean. Monetary donations are also welcomed. The coat drive will be held at Hope, Saturday, December 13th, from 10:00am - 2:00pm.
| | |
Diabetes Support Group
The MedStar Health sponsored Diabetes Support Group meets on the 3rd Wednesday/month from 11AM-12noon @ 10403 Hospital Dr., Ste. G09A, Clinton. For more information, call: 301-877-5560.
| | |
Free Medical Equipment
The State of Maryland provides a variety of medical equipment to residents free of charge through the Durable Medical Equipment Re-Use program. Items are new or gently used. For more information call 240-280-8000 or visit:
| | | | |
