Author: HRPC Office

Sermon: Something Worth Standing For

HRPC OfficeLeave a comment

Isaiah 40: 1-11

In high school and in college, our sons and their classmates were in the habit of standing for the entire basketball game to support their team. I think that may have stopped now that they are college graduated adults! Maybe you don’t stand for an entire game, but everyone knows the roar of the crowd getting to its feet at the sight of a homerun or an important 1st down. Some of you may even stand in your own living room as you watch your favorite sport on tv.
We are all accustomed to participating in a standing ovation after a particularly good theatrical or musical performance, as we clap loudly in appreciation for what we have seen and heard. Some Christian traditions always stand when the gospel is read, others stand for the entire service of worship as a way to express honor and gratitude for the good news of Jesus Christ, and as a way to give glory to God.

What else is worth standing for? Continue reading “Sermon: Something Worth Standing For” →

Advent Is Upon Us!

HRPC OfficeLeave a comment

No sooner do we clean up the dishes from our Thanksgiving meal, t he first Sunday of Advent pop s up on the calendar (Novemb er 30)! This is a great time to prep are an Advent wreath for your home (you can even just p lace 4 candles in a circle on a platter or tray, place one candle in t he middle, and lay some greens around the plat er —presto! an easy Advent symbol  or your family.) Each week during worship we will light an additional purple candle(royalty), with the central white candle (Christ candle) lit on Christmas Eve. The candles are ringed wit h live greens, reminding us of the life which is brought to us in Christ . Each week we will sing this short Advent hymn by Claire Cloninger (words) and Don Cason (music) as we approach Christmas…

“While w e are waiting , come; Jesus, our Lord , Emmanuel, while we are waiting , come.
With power and glory, come; Jesus, our Lord, Emmanuel, while w e are waiting, come.
Come, Savior , quickly com e; Jesus, our Lord , Emmanuel, while we are waiting , come.”
While we are waiting, you might take some time as an individual or as a family t o reflect on the following questions… Select one for each week of Advent , write it out and place it w here you will see it (kitchen table, bathroom mirror , car dashboard ). If you revisit the question each day f or a week, you might be surprised at w hat surfaces!
 What , exactly, are you waiting for this Christmas? A gift ? A family reunion? A card from a faraway friend ? ___________?
 If Jesus is your Lord , what does that mean t o you? Obedience? Love? Service? _________?
 Emmanuel mean s “God With Us”. If t hat is another name f or Jesus, how does your celebration of Christmas reflect that God is with you?
 If Jesus is your Savior , what , exactly is he saving you from? Or what is he saving you for?
We are waiting together…
Pastor Deborah