Sunday Sermon

Growing Deeply

a daily scripture guide for Advent

Week of December 7-12

This weeks Advent theme is from Matthew 1:18-23 God is with us

MONDAY: God With Us: The Name

REFLECTION: Jesuss name Emmanuel means God with us. In Jesus, God is with us.
REFLECTION: How do you experience Gods presence in Jesus? What does your
name mean? How do you live into that?
TUESDAY: God With Us: In Pain (John 11:1-44)
REFLECTION: Jesus weeps for his friend Lazarus. He is with Lazaruss sisters Mary
and Martha; there he also experiences the grief of loss. This season if you are
experiencing grief and loss, know that you do not weep alone; God is with you.
PRAYER: In my pain, God be with me. While it looks to others that I am alone,
may I know you are with me. You never leave me nor forsake me.
WEDNESDAY: God With Us: In Uncertainty and Fear (Isaiah 41:10)
REFLECTION: When you are experiencing fear and uncertainty, what does your
body feel like? Do you shake? Are you queasy? This scripture speaks of a firm
and steady God disallowing fear to overwhelm us.
PRAYER: Steady God, steady my trembling hands and heart so that I may act
with the courage that comes from you.

Emmanuel, God with Us - December 13

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23 (NRSV)
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother
Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was
found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a
righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to
dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the
Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be
afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy
Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his
people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by
the Lord through the prophet:
Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means, God is with us.

My Notes:

THURSDAY: God With Us: In the Waiting (Matthew 6:25-27)

REFLECTION: I hate waiting; Im impatient and though its foolish, really
appreciate instant gratification. However, some things you just cant rusha
roast that needs to be slow cooked, bread that takes time to rise and perhaps
even that request you have prayed.
JOURNAL: What are you waiting for? How are you waiting by worrying, praying
or complaining? Remember God is with you while you wait.
FRIDAY: God With Us: In Joy (Luke 1:46-56)
REFLECTION: Like a mother, Mary joys over Jesus. She magnifies and blesses him
for who he is and what he does. When my little boys act up, Im disappointed
and sometimes saddened. However, the joy I have for them is not diminished
because my joy comes more from who they are than what they do.
PRAYER: Joy to the world for receiving the newborn King. Joy to the King for
coming unto us. Joy to you for being who you are.
SATURDAY: God With Us: Matthew 1:18-23
REFLECTION: Today I invite you to write your own story or remember a time
when God was with you.
ACTION: Share your God-With-Me story with someone youve never told.
Read or subscribe to the full weekly Growing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow
Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.

Read or subscribe to the full weekly

Growing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow
Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.