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How Unexpected Can Christmas Be?

Sermon
First Sunday of Advent - A
Matthew 24:36-44
William B. Kincaid, III
And Then Came the Angel
Gospel Sermons For Advent/Christmas/Epiphany
The temptation is to dismiss these words from Matthew. After all, how do they pertain to us? Written at a time when the early church had bet its life on Jesus' return, these seem odd words to hear on the first Sunday of Advent. We are busy preparing the cr che for a baby, but Matthew appears to be announcing Jesus' second coming. And it isn't just an odd lesson, but a frightening one. In a season when we seek assurance, Matthew's words are enough to scare us half to death. These words compare the coming of God's promised one to the death and devastation of the flood during Noah's time.
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Call to Worship:
John the Baptist called people to repent, for he told them that the kingdom of heaven had come near. In our worship today let us explore what it means to be close to the kingdom of heaven.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, remind me to turn towards you.
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Reading:
Matthew 3:1-12 (NRSV)

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E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: Embracing Hope
Message: I would not mind a little encouragement, God. Lauds, KDM

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