Sunday, November 7, 2021

Pastor Karen Muntzing

LIVING IN BETWEEN: An Advent Series

Looking for the Fig Tree

Old Testament Reading

Psalm 25 Common English Bible

25 I offer my life[b] to you, Lord.
2     My God, I trust you.
Please don’t let me be put to shame!
    Don’t let my enemies rejoice over me!
3 For that matter,
    don’t let anyone who hopes in you
        be put to shame;
    instead, let those who are treacherous without excuse be put to shame.

4 Make your ways known to me, Lord;
    teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth—teach it to me—
    because you are the God who saves me.
        I put my hope in you all day long.
6 Lord, remember your compassion and faithful love—
    they are forever!
7 But don’t remember the sins of my youth or my wrongdoing.
    Remember me only according to your faithful love
        for the sake of your goodness, Lord.

8 The Lord is good and does the right thing;
    he teaches sinners which way they should go.
9 God guides the weak to justice,
    teaching them his way.
10 All the Lord’s paths are loving and faithful
    for those who keep his covenant and laws.
11 Please, for the sake of your good name, Lord, forgive my sins, which are many!

12 Where are the ones who honor the Lord?
    God will teach them which path to take.
13 They will live a good life,
    and their descendants will possess the land.
14 The Lord counsels those who honor him;
    he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are always looking to the Lord
    because he will free my feet from the net.

16 Turn to me, God, and have mercy on me
    because I’m alone and suffering.
17 My heart’s troubles keep getting bigger—
    set me free from my distress!
18 Look at my suffering and trouble—
    forgive all my sins!
19 Look at how many enemies I have
    and how violently they hate me!
20 Please protect my life! Deliver me!
    Don’t let me be put to shame
    because I take refuge in you.
21 Let integrity and virtue guard me
    because I hope in you.

22 Please, God, save Israel from all its troubles!

New Testament Reading

Luke 21:25-36 Common English Bible

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, there will be dismay among nations in their confusion over the roaring of the sea and surging waves. 26 The planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken, causing people to faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world. 27 Then they will see the Human One[a] coming on a cloud with power and great splendor. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is near.”

29 Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that God’s kingdom is near. 32 I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until everything has happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away.

34 “Take care that your hearts aren’t dulled by drinking parties, drunkenness, and the anxieties of day-to-day life. Don’t let that day fall upon you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. It will come upon everyone who lives on the face of the whole earth. 36  Stay alert at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand before the Human One.”[b]