What do you fear? Insisting on hope this Advent
Graphic design by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman | Photography by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
Drawing on resources from A Sanctified Art, worship at St. Luke’s this Advent season focuses on the theme:
What do you fear? Insisting on hope this Advent
“Luke’s Gospel begins the story of Jesus with this opening line: “In the time of Herod...” This detail may seem minor to modern readers, however, it reveals layers of information about the fearful world Jesus entered, one filled with rampant oppression, economic disparity, uncertainty, and instability. A world not so unlike our own. And yet, throughout the stories of Christ’s birth, we hear the whispers of angels delivering a surprising message: “Do not fear.”
In our own time, we might ask: is it even possible to be fearless in a fearful world? When Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi are each called into God’s redemptive story, they do not deny their fears—they move through them. They ask questions, hold fast to courage, trust in good news, and say, “Here I am, Lord.” When we find ourselves in fearful times, can we acknowledge our fears while also insisting on hope?” (A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org)
Each Sunday explores the fear and hope of Jesus’s time and our own, using the following focal scriptures and themes:
November 30 | First Sunday of Advent
IN THE TIME OF HEROD, WE LONG FOR GOD TO BREAK IN
Luke 1:5-13 | Luke starts the story with King Herod, in an era of fear
Lamentations 3:55-57 | “I called on your name from the depths of the pit”
December 7 | Second Sunday of Advent
WHEN WE’RE RUNNING OUT OF HOPE, GOD IS AT WORK
Matthew 11:1-11 | John the Baptist is running out of hope and reaches out to Jesus
Isaiah 43:19-21 |“I am about to do a new thing”
December 14 | Third Sunday of Advent
EVEN IN OUR FEAR, WE ARE CALLED FORWARD
Luke 1:26-39 | The angel visits Mary
Jeremiah 1:4-10 | Jeremiah is called as a prophet
December 21 | Fourth Sunday of Advent
WHEN YOU’RE AFRAID, GIVE ME YOUR HAND
Matthew 1:18-25 | Joseph’s dream
Isaiah 41:5-10 | “Each one helps the other; I will strengthen you”
Testimony in Advent
Do you have a story to share about fear and hope? Maybe you recall a time when your hope nearly ran out. You stepped forward even in the face of fear. Or someone reached out and made you brave.
We want to hear your story this Advent! Sharing testimony -- real life stories -- in worship builds community and helps us hear God's voice. If you have a story to share, reach out to Pastor Erin (pastorerin@stlukesLS.org). We'll talk about it together and explore a date for you to share your story in worship.