SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT
Book Study
Sacred Soil
Thought for the Week
from Pastor Lisa
Psalm Series via Zoom Tuesday Evenings
Final Meeting 10/31/2021 after church. You don't need to have read any of the book to join.
Sacred Soil: A Gardener's Book of Reflection
“Hope is believing despite the evidence, and then watching the evidence change.” ~ Jim Wallis (Christian theologian, activist, and founder of Sojourners Magazine)
As we enter this time of waiting and anticipation of the birth of Jesus and opening our doors to hope, I invite you to light or color a candle this week. As you sit with your candle, I invite you to consider what you hope for this Advent.
When children giggle, I feel joy. It brightens my day. Then I smile more easily at the next person I see who often smiles back. And I feel joy again.
I think that Thich Nhat Hanh said it well, “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
May you experience moments of joy this week and share the joy you feel with someone else.
Advent Blessings
In these final days of Advent, let us reflect on God’s love made visible in Jesus. Let us take time to return some love to God and to share God’s love with those we encounter this week.
Join us as we read different versions of the psalm, share our thoughts, and pray together.
Psalm 97 The Glory of God’s Reign
1 The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him,
and consumes his adversaries on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness;
and all the peoples behold his glory.
7 All worshippers of images are put to shame,
those who make their boast in worthless idols;
all gods bow down before him.
8 Zion hears and is glad,
and the towns* of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgements, O God.
9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 The Lord loves those who hate* evil;
he guards the lives of his faithful;
he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light dawns* for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!
Psalm 97 Litany
Let us rejoice and sing praise to our Lord.
Let us rejoice and sing praise to our Lord.
The Lord is king over all creation.
Let us rejoice and sing praise to our Lord.
Though the world is shrouded in dark and gloom, God’s light is radiant and pierces the darkness.
Let us rejoice and sing praise to our Lord.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his kingdom.
Let us rejoice and sing praise to our Lord.
The heavens proclaim his righteousness, the earth bows down before him.
Let us rejoice and sing praise to our Lord.
The people behold his glory, Jerusalem and Judah praise his holy name.
Let us rejoice and sing praise to our Lord.
The judgements of the Lord are righteous. He protects his faithful from evil.
Let us rejoice and sing praise to our Lord.
Let all who wish to serve the Lord with just and righteous lives, give thanks to the Holy One, our All- Powerful and All Loving Lord.
Let us rejoice and sing praise to our Lord.
