Riverside United Methodist Church
Advent 2019 Sermon Series
Help is On the Way
December 1 (Advent 1)
Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5 and Matthew 24:36-44
Theme: Hope
Jesus, close to the end of his earthly life, prophesies another beginning. Jesus, the Messiah, tells the people to watch out for the Messiah. An excellent introduction to the Advent theme of past and future colliding in the present and the difficulty of living in expectation while not being quite sure what to expect.
December 8 (Advent 2)
Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12
Theme: Peace
We journey backwards to before Jesus’ baptism, to John the Baptist prophesying the Messiah’s coming – a Messiah already here. Now is the time to get right with God, to prepare ourselves for the kingdom that is coming, the kingdom already here.
December 15 (Advent 3)
Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10 and Matthew 11:2-11
Theme: Joy
The ministry of John the Baptist is validated in Christ. The hopes in John’s heart are fulfilled in the statements of Jesus, the One the world had been waiting for – who was, who is, who is to come. Our hearts quicken and expectations rise as the time of Christ’s appearance draws closer.
December 22 (Advent 4)
Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16 and Matthew 1:18-25
Theme: Love
What about Joseph? Here we have the more rarely-read birth narrative from Matthew, focused on the choices of Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph. What can his awkward circumstance tell us about loving even when we do not understand?
December 24 (Christmas Eve)
Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-20
Theme: Help is Here … Jesus is Born
The shepherds were awake to receive the good news, while the rest of the world was asleep. Let us open our eyes to the truth of God with us, seeing and living in that hope, even when others do not.
December 29
Theme: Wesley Covenant Service
One year ends, another begins, and a sense of renewal helps us to embrace the New Year. We believe that God is consistently faithful to us throughout the years and we want to be sure to commit ourselves to Him anew to Christ as we live into the days ahead. Join us on December 29 as our worship is highlighted by Communion and our participation in the Wesley Covenant Service.
