Advent Devotional 2022 : simplebooklet.com

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Dedication This devotional booklet is dedicated to the ministry of Rev. Bill Rafuse, Rapid River Congregational Church, Rapid River Michigan, and to the memory of his beloved wife Donna. Bill has contributed to these devotional booklets for many years and writes daily morning and evening prayers to post on the NACCC Facebook pages. He posts a daily list of our NA churches and missions to pray for as well. We are all better people of faith for the efforts of Bill and Donna. Donna passed away during the production of this booklet, and she is greatly missed by all who knew her. Your editors, Carol Taylor Casey vanderBent Terry Bobzien First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2022 God’s Timing Is Best “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:” - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NRSV) At any time in history, the most precious commodity was probably time itself. And in our time, in our culture, that is surely the case. We’ve become downright obsessed with optimizing our time—strategically scheduling ourselves so as to wring out every possible bit of productivity from each day. That doesn’t seem like a very fun way to live, and it’s hardly healthy. Advent offers a counter-cultural contrast. It’s all about expectant waiting. This liturgical season prompts us to re-examine our mental approach to time—what it’s for, and how it’s used. In fact, Advent challenges us to fundamentally re-orient our temporal thinking, pivoting from a focus on chronos (one Greek word for time—as in linear, quantifiable days and hours) to kairos (another Greek word for time—but this one suggesting an opportune moment…the “right” time…we might say, “God’s time”). Why wasn’t Jesus born centuries earlier, or later? Why hasn’t he returned? Why doesn’t God spectacularly intervene in human affairs right now, when it seems obvious to many that now is the right or opportune time? And why does tradition make us wait for four weeks before encountering the pure joy of Christmas? For everything there is a season. It’s about God’s masterful sense of kairos, not our fixation on chronos. Our task is to trust that God’s timing is best. The rarely quoted prophet Habakkuk included a prayer in the book that bears his name. Perhaps its opening words constitute a fitting prayer for us this season: O Lord, I have heard of your renown, and I stand in awe, O Lord, of your work. In our own time revive it; in our own time make it known; in wrath may you remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2 (NRSV) Rev. Rob Fredrickson, Associate Minister Ozaukee Congregational Church Grafton, WI rcf474@gmail.com Monday, November 28, 2022 Every Valley... “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.” - Isaiah 40:3b-5 (KJV) At the height of the Roman Empire, their roads spanned the known world, stretching from present-day Scotland to the Arabian Gulf, and from the Atlantic to the Ural Mountains. They were, and are (some still exist, 2000 years later) a marvel of engineering. Layers of compacted earth, crushed rock, and concrete, plus a cambered surface, ensured that the roads could withstand weather as well as heavy traffic. Ancient surveying tools were used to ensure that roads were laid out to be straight whenever the topography permitted, and that the inclines were gentle enough for heavy carts. In other words, every valley was "exalted" and every mountain and hill “made low.” What does all of this have to do with God’s timing? Perhaps He was waiting all those silent centuries between the prophecies and the fulfillment for the highways to be built before sending the Messiah! It’s not such a far-fetched idea. Christianity spread by word of mouth (or letter), and people and mail both moved by road. One expert has estimated that some 300 years after Christ’s resurrection there were over 30 million Christians, or 10% of the Roman Empire. That’s an amazing increase! What can each of us do to prepare the way of the Lord? Lord, make me a highway for our God. Give me a firm foundation, fill me where I am low, and smooth out my rough spots so I can show others the Way. Amen Nancy Hamilton, Church Clerk First Congregational Church Searsport, ME Tuesday, November 29, 2022 Wonder-full “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” – Psalm 40:3-5 (NIV) The Psalms (whether written by David or not) are a compendium of human emotions, from the highest exhilarations and acclamations to the lowest despondencies. No matter your emotional state, you can find a psalm to express it more eloquently than most of us could imagine on our own. We may wallow in the pits of despair and the mires of loneliness and sadness. We can share our sometimes deadly anger, whether against God or other people. But…the Psalms, like God, will not leave us there. Through the Psalms, God puts a new song, a hymn of praise, in our hearts and mouths. God plans our lives, right along with the rest of creation. God invites—God never compels—our recognition and trust and love, in deeds beyond counting. God’s blessings are often a surprise, sometimes delayed, and occasionally not at all what we prayed for. None of this transpires when we look to false gods. It is only possible when you are in relationship with a living, loving, God. As the Psalms constantly remind us, of all the wonders God has done, that is the most wonder-full. God, you are worthy of praise. You walk with each of us every day, even when we forget you are there. All that you have created is full of wonders. Open our hearts to see them and give us a new song of praise to sing as we live in your love. Amen Dr. Helen Gierke, Th.D. First Congregational Church of Cape Coral Cape Coral, FL hgierke51@gmail.com

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Monday, November 28, 2022 Every Valley... “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.” - Isaiah 40:3b-5 (KJV) At the height of the Roman Empire, their roads spanned the known world, stretching from present-day Scotland to the Arabian Gulf, and from the Atlantic to the Ural Mountains. They were, and are (some still exist, 2000 years later) a marvel of engineering. Layers of compacted earth, crushed rock, and concrete, plus a cambered surface, ensured that the roads could withstand weather as well as heavy traffic. Ancient surveying tools were used to ensure that roads were laid out to be straight whenever the topography permitted, and that the inclines were gentle enough for heavy carts. In other words, every valley was "exalted" and every mountain and hill “made low.” What does all of this have to do with God’s timing? Perhaps He was waiting all those silent centuries between the prophecies and the fulfillment for the highways to be built before sending the Messiah! It’s not such a far-fetched idea. Christianity spread by word of mouth (or letter), and people and mail both moved by road. One expert has estimated that some 300 years after Christ’s resurrection there were over 30 million Christians, or 10% of the Roman Empire. That’s an amazing increase! What can each of us do to prepare the way of the Lord? Lord, make me a highway for our God. Give me a firm foundation, fill me where I am low, and smooth out my rough spots so I can show others the Way. Amen Nancy Hamilton, Church Clerk First Congregational Church Searsport, ME Tuesday, November 29, 2022 Wonder-full “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” – Psalm 40:3-5 (NIV) The Psalms (whether written by David or not) are a compendium of human emotions, from the highest exhilarations and acclamations to the lowest despondencies. No matter your emotional state, you can find a psalm to express it more eloquently than most of us could imagine on our own. We may wallow in the pits of despair and the mires of loneliness and sadness. We can share our sometimes deadly anger, whether against God or other people. But…the Psalms, like God, will not leave us there. Through the Psalms, God puts a new song, a hymn of praise, in our hearts and mouths. God plans our lives, right along with the rest of creation. God invites—God never compels—our recognition and trust and love, in deeds beyond counting. God’s blessings are often a surprise, sometimes delayed, and occasionally not at all what we prayed for. None of this transpires when we look to false gods. It is only possible when you are in relationship with a living, loving, God. As the Psalms constantly remind us, of all the wonders God has done, that is the most wonder-full. God, you are worthy of praise. You walk with each of us every day, even when we forget you are there. All that you have created is full of wonders. Open our hearts to see them and give us a new song of praise to sing as we live in your love. Amen Dr. Helen Gierke, Th.D. First Congregational Church of Cape Coral Cape Coral, FL hgierke51@gmail.com Wednesday, November 30, 2022 Sore Afraid “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” - Luke 2:9 (KJV) It was the tradition in my elementary school for the music department to put on a Christmas recital. The 6th grade class did a dramatic recitation of Christ’s birth from the Gospel of Luke. In those days the King James version was the standard. As the angel appeared, the shepherds were “sore” afraid. Over the decades since 6th grade, I have been shocked, stunned, gobsmacked, and frightened. However, I cannot recall being sore afraid. Is sore afraid more traumatized than scared witless? I can only speculate the degree of fear that caused these poor shepherds’ hearts to race. One thing is certain: the angel had their attention. They did not argue. They did not ask for proof or angelic credentials. The shepherds were tough and fearless folks who were not easily frightened. Yet, they were slack-jawed in wonder. The angel brought news they could never have imagined. Even more wondrous was the angel’s appearance to these humble folks. These simple mutton punchers were completely unprepared for an angel’s visit. What does it take to be sore afraid? It is to be so caught up in the moment that any explanation is woefully inadequate. It means to be overwhelmed in the presence of God’s goodness. It means to fully understand the Psalmist’s words in Psalm 46:10: Be still and know that I am God. Loving God, fill us with awe. Touch our hearts in ways that defy explanation. Speak to us in the most unexpected and unpredictable ways. May your wonder soothe the soreness in our souls. Rev. Dr. Jerry Jones, Retired First Congregational Church of Greenville Greenville, MI daclamrev1@gmail.com Thursday, December 1, 2022 In The Silence “…it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”- Lamentations 3:26 (NIV) In today’s world we expect immediate results to most everything we do. We can communicate to just about everyone through technology. We see people on their phones constantly while they are walking, riding bikes, driving, and while having a meal. Waiting is practically a lost art. Being quiet and silent is almost unheard of. I get up early each morning and enjoy the silence as I spend some quality time with God. This silent time reminds me of this quote from Soren Kierkegaard; “I found I had less and less to say, until finally, I became silent, and began to listen. I discovered in the silence, the voice of God.” As I read the scriptures during Advent, especially the story of the Messiah’s birth and the shepherds in the fields watching their sheep, I try to imagine what the shepherds may have experienced, tending their sheep under a star filled night sky, the silence maybe occasionally interrupted by the sound of the sheep. Then one night in that silence they hear the voice of God spoken by the angels telling them of the Messiah’s birth. They experienced God’s timing, to come into this world. God’s promise of a Messiah is a long-awaited event so many had been praying and hoping for and had finally been fulfilled. During this season of Advent, I invite you to take some time to block out your daily schedule, commitments, doubts, and wishes. No cell phone, no TV, no computer, no technology, just you and God. Take time to simply be quiet and listen to hear the voice of God. Not just to hear the voice but to listen to what God is telling you. You may find a peace come over you that only God can provide, and it is always in God’s Perfect Timing. Lord, hear the unspoken words in my heart and grant me peace each day as I strive to do Your will and share Your love with those I meet. Amen Rev. Jerry Turner First Congregational Church Portland, MI jerryturner4705@gmail.com

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Wednesday, November 30, 2022 Sore Afraid “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” - Luke 2:9 (KJV) It was the tradition in my elementary school for the music department to put on a Christmas recital. The 6th grade class did a dramatic recitation of Christ’s birth from the Gospel of Luke. In those days the King James version was the standard. As the angel appeared, the shepherds were “sore” afraid. Over the decades since 6th grade, I have been shocked, stunned, gobsmacked, and frightened. However, I cannot recall being sore afraid. Is sore afraid more traumatized than scared witless? I can only speculate the degree of fear that caused these poor shepherds’ hearts to race. One thing is certain: the angel had their attention. They did not argue. They did not ask for proof or angelic credentials. The shepherds were tough and fearless folks who were not easily frightened. Yet, they were slack-jawed in wonder. The angel brought news they could never have imagined. Even more wondrous was the angel’s appearance to these humble folks. These simple mutton punchers were completely unprepared for an angel’s visit. What does it take to be sore afraid? It is to be so caught up in the moment that any explanation is woefully inadequate. It means to be overwhelmed in the presence of God’s goodness. It means to fully understand the Psalmist’s words in Psalm 46:10: Be still and know that I am God. Loving God, fill us with awe. Touch our hearts in ways that defy explanation. Speak to us in the most unexpected and unpredictable ways. May your wonder soothe the soreness in our souls. Rev. Dr. Jerry Jones, Retired First Congregational Church of Greenville Greenville, MI daclamrev1@gmail.com Thursday, December 1, 2022 In The Silence “…it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”- Lamentations 3:26 (NIV) In today’s world we expect immediate results to most everything we do. We can communicate to just about everyone through technology. We see people on their phones constantly while they are walking, riding bikes, driving, and while having a meal. Waiting is practically a lost art. Being quiet and silent is almost unheard of. I get up early each morning and enjoy the silence as I spend some quality time with God. This silent time reminds me of this quote from Soren Kierkegaard; “I found I had less and less to say, until finally, I became silent, and began to listen. I discovered in the silence, the voice of God.” As I read the scriptures during Advent, especially the story of the Messiah’s birth and the shepherds in the fields watching their sheep, I try to imagine what the shepherds may have experienced, tending their sheep under a star filled night sky, the silence maybe occasionally interrupted by the sound of the sheep. Then one night in that silence they hear the voice of God spoken by the angels telling them of the Messiah’s birth. They experienced God’s timing, to come into this world. God’s promise of a Messiah is a long-awaited event so many had been praying and hoping for and had finally been fulfilled. During this season of Advent, I invite you to take some time to block out your daily schedule, commitments, doubts, and wishes. No cell phone, no TV, no computer, no technology, just you and God. Take time to simply be quiet and listen to hear the voice of God. Not just to hear the voice but to listen to what God is telling you. You may find a peace come over you that only God can provide, and it is always in God’s Perfect Timing. Lord, hear the unspoken words in my heart and grant me peace each day as I strive to do Your will and share Your love with those I meet. Amen Rev. Jerry Turner First Congregational Church Portland, MI jerryturner4705@gmail.com Friday, December 2, 2022 What Does God’s Timing Mean? “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) God’s timing is His action in our lives. He knows what we need and when we need it. When God steps in, all our worries and anxieties can disappear, and our lack can turn to abundance. We need to remind ourselves that His timing is not our timing. How much we trust Him is related directly to our patience. God wants us to believe and trust in Him even when things are not going well. God’s Timing is Perfect 1. God knows our past, present and our future. We have the Holy Spirit on by our side. We don’t need to worry about what happened yesterday or what will happen tomorrow. God knows everything from beginning to end. So, we need to trust Him with our past, present and more importantly our future. 2. God is always on time. God is always on His own timetable. He has everything under control. God is never early or late. Surrender your worries and ask Him to grant you peace of mind. 3. God is faithful. We see people break promises all around. God is faithful to His word and He will never let you down. 4. God is gracious. The greatest gift of grace God has given us is His only begotten son, Jesus. Christ died for us, the sinners. 5. God wants the best for us. God gives us His unconditional love. Reach out to Him and He will welcome you with open arms. Heavenly Father, our world is in a mess and we need you. Help us to use this season to sharpen our skills of trusting you. Help us to sharpen our skills to love one another as you have, and continue, to love us. We love you Lord, Amen Pastor Patty Smith Berwick Congregational Church Berwick, IA Happypatty51@gmail.com Saturday, December 3, 2022 Your Order Has Shipped “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” - Psalm 27:14 (NIV) When I was five years old, Kellogg's breakfast cereals had an offer no child could refuse--a toy submarine that (with the help of a bit of baking powder) dove up and down in the water! I studied the picture on the cereal box every morning, thinking of how much fun it would be to play with the toy. Finally, the box was empty, and my mother cut off the required box top, taped a quarter to it, and mailed it. And then I waited...and waited...and waited...Subsequently purchased cereal boxes with the enticing image of the submarine just reminded me that mine hadn't yet arrived. When would I get mine? Finally, one day, it was delivered! At last!! Now, when we order items online, we receive constant communication from the company. Emails tell us, "Thank you for your order" or "Your order has shipped," or "Your order will be delivered on Monday." Although we may have to wait, the communication certainly takes the mystery out of the "when." God, who stands outside time, has a sense of timing we can’t understand. God’s “when” is always a mystery. We send off our prayer, and wait, often impatiently, for our “order” to be filled, with no word from the Lord regarding whether, or how, or when our prayer will be answered. It’s a lot like waiting for a toy submarine. God, we cannot comprehend your timing. Help us to say with the Psalmist, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Amen Nancy Hamilton, Church Clerk First Congregational Church Searsport, ME

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Friday, December 2, 2022 What Does God’s Timing Mean? “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) God’s timing is His action in our lives. He knows what we need and when we need it. When God steps in, all our worries and anxieties can disappear, and our lack can turn to abundance. We need to remind ourselves that His timing is not our timing. How much we trust Him is related directly to our patience. God wants us to believe and trust in Him even when things are not going well. God’s Timing is Perfect 1. God knows our past, present and our future. We have the Holy Spirit on by our side. We don’t need to worry about what happened yesterday or what will happen tomorrow. God knows everything from beginning to end. So, we need to trust Him with our past, present and more importantly our future. 2. God is always on time. God is always on His own timetable. He has everything under control. God is never early or late. Surrender your worries and ask Him to grant you peace of mind. 3. God is faithful. We see people break promises all around. God is faithful to His word and He will never let you down. 4. God is gracious. The greatest gift of grace God has given us is His only begotten son, Jesus. Christ died for us, the sinners. 5. God wants the best for us. God gives us His unconditional love. Reach out to Him and He will welcome you with open arms. Heavenly Father, our world is in a mess and we need you. Help us to use this season to sharpen our skills of trusting you. Help us to sharpen our skills to love one another as you have, and continue, to love us. We love you Lord, Amen Pastor Patty Smith Berwick Congregational Church Berwick, IA Happypatty51@gmail.com Saturday, December 3, 2022 Your Order Has Shipped “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” - Psalm 27:14 (NIV) When I was five years old, Kellogg's breakfast cereals had an offer no child could refuse--a toy submarine that (with the help of a bit of baking powder) dove up and down in the water! I studied the picture on the cereal box every morning, thinking of how much fun it would be to play with the toy. Finally, the box was empty, and my mother cut off the required box top, taped a quarter to it, and mailed it. And then I waited...and waited...and waited...Subsequently purchased cereal boxes with the enticing image of the submarine just reminded me that mine hadn't yet arrived. When would I get mine? Finally, one day, it was delivered! At last!! Now, when we order items online, we receive constant communication from the company. Emails tell us, "Thank you for your order" or "Your order has shipped," or "Your order will be delivered on Monday." Although we may have to wait, the communication certainly takes the mystery out of the "when." God, who stands outside time, has a sense of timing we can’t understand. God’s “when” is always a mystery. We send off our prayer, and wait, often impatiently, for our “order” to be filled, with no word from the Lord regarding whether, or how, or when our prayer will be answered. It’s a lot like waiting for a toy submarine. God, we cannot comprehend your timing. Help us to say with the Psalmist, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Amen Nancy Hamilton, Church Clerk First Congregational Church Searsport, ME Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2022 Not Now Lord! “…when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son…” - Galatians 4:4 (NKJV) “But Lord I have a special wedding this weekend,” I heard my heart say as they took my wife and her cancer away again in an ambulance. Maybe Gideon said something like “Lord this is not the time for soldiers to leave me.” And I can hear the disciple saying “Jesus, how can you sleep at a time like this. We are all going to drown!” The wedding went fine, even with my wife miles away in a hospital, Gideon won his battle and of course Jesus awoke and calmed the sea. Bad timing on our side could just be God’s perfect timing. A young girl waiting and watching for a Savior, a Messiah, is told she will be carrying a special baby, the Savior she has been waiting for, before she is married. Not good timing from Joseph’s viewpoint. “When the set time had fully come, God sent His Son.” - Gal. 4:4 (NIV) God’s timing is not always convenient, but it is in all ways perfect and His plan for our salvation was fulfilled in His timing and in His perfect way. Often, I sit and wonder with all the violence, hatred and evil in our world today why doesn’t He return as He promised and I hear the Spirit say “when God’s perfect set time comes He will return” Lord, please help me accept Your perfect timing which is a part of Your perfect plan for my salvation. I know someday I will no longer need a cup and bread to remember You by, but I will see You face to face. Amen Rev. Bill Rafuse Rapid River Congregational Church Rapid River, MI Monday, December 5, 2022 Seek God “I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” - Psalm 34:4 (NIV) Can you recall the first time you actually put your trust in God’s hands? I do, as if it were yesterday. I was eighteen the night before the final exam in Calculus, a class I had struggled through all semester. After several days and sleepless nights of studying for the exam, I was mentally and physically exhausted. Though I questioned the power of prayer, that night I went to God in prayer. Maybe it was a last resort or “what do I have to lose” train of thought, but for the first time in my life I truly turned to God for help. I spoke to God as I never had before. I put my hope and trust in God’s hands and ended my prayer with this promise; “If I pass this class, I will never take another math class.” That night I had a restful and refreshing sleep. I passed the exam and class, and I have kept my promise. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears, “reminds me of that experience in my life. When I looked back at it, I thought my request was selfish and petty. I have since realized it was not about my request. God knew what I needed. God wanted me to learn to hand over my concerns and put my trust in God. God’s Timing was perfect, as it always is. In biblical times the Jewish community knew God’s promise to send a Messiah and hoped it would occur in their lifetime. That fulfilled promise impacted not only their lives, but ours as well. This Advent season, take a moment to reflect on how God’s Timing has impacted your life and the lives of loved ones. Then give thanks for God’s many blessings in our life. Creator God, you taught me to put my faith and trust in You. You have given me strength and hope in my life. For all you provide I thank you. Amen Rev. Jerry Turner First Congregational Church Portland, MI jerryturner4705@gmail.com

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Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2022 Not Now Lord! “…when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son…” - Galatians 4:4 (NKJV) “But Lord I have a special wedding this weekend,” I heard my heart say as they took my wife and her cancer away again in an ambulance. Maybe Gideon said something like “Lord this is not the time for soldiers to leave me.” And I can hear the disciple saying “Jesus, how can you sleep at a time like this. We are all going to drown!” The wedding went fine, even with my wife miles away in a hospital, Gideon won his battle and of course Jesus awoke and calmed the sea. Bad timing on our side could just be God’s perfect timing. A young girl waiting and watching for a Savior, a Messiah, is told she will be carrying a special baby, the Savior she has been waiting for, before she is married. Not good timing from Joseph’s viewpoint. “When the set time had fully come, God sent His Son.” - Gal. 4:4 (NIV) God’s timing is not always convenient, but it is in all ways perfect and His plan for our salvation was fulfilled in His timing and in His perfect way. Often, I sit and wonder with all the violence, hatred and evil in our world today why doesn’t He return as He promised and I hear the Spirit say “when God’s perfect set time comes He will return” Lord, please help me accept Your perfect timing which is a part of Your perfect plan for my salvation. I know someday I will no longer need a cup and bread to remember You by, but I will see You face to face. Amen Rev. Bill Rafuse Rapid River Congregational Church Rapid River, MI Monday, December 5, 2022 Seek God “I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” - Psalm 34:4 (NIV) Can you recall the first time you actually put your trust in God’s hands? I do, as if it were yesterday. I was eighteen the night before the final exam in Calculus, a class I had struggled through all semester. After several days and sleepless nights of studying for the exam, I was mentally and physically exhausted. Though I questioned the power of prayer, that night I went to God in prayer. Maybe it was a last resort or “what do I have to lose” train of thought, but for the first time in my life I truly turned to God for help. I spoke to God as I never had before. I put my hope and trust in God’s hands and ended my prayer with this promise; “If I pass this class, I will never take another math class.” That night I had a restful and refreshing sleep. I passed the exam and class, and I have kept my promise. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears, “reminds me of that experience in my life. When I looked back at it, I thought my request was selfish and petty. I have since realized it was not about my request. God knew what I needed. God wanted me to learn to hand over my concerns and put my trust in God. God’s Timing was perfect, as it always is. In biblical times the Jewish community knew God’s promise to send a Messiah and hoped it would occur in their lifetime. That fulfilled promise impacted not only their lives, but ours as well. This Advent season, take a moment to reflect on how God’s Timing has impacted your life and the lives of loved ones. Then give thanks for God’s many blessings in our life. Creator God, you taught me to put my faith and trust in You. You have given me strength and hope in my life. For all you provide I thank you. Amen Rev. Jerry Turner First Congregational Church Portland, MI jerryturner4705@gmail.com Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Elongated Time Please read Romans 8:22-25 Pre-Christian peoples who lived far north and who suffered the archetypal loss of life and light with the disappearance of the sun had a way of wooing back life and hope…Their solution was to bring all ordinary action and daily routine to a halt…They removed the wheels from their carts and wagons, festooned them with greens and light and brought them indoors to hang in their halls. They brought the wheels indoors as a sign of a different time, a time to stop and turn inward. 1 As Advent begins, I invite you to create your own family Advent wreath to mark your journey through this holy season. Imagine you have removed a wheel from your car. You bring it inside, decorating it as the base of your Advent wreath. I don’t know about you, but my life would slow down dramatically without the use of my car. This symbolism can help us shift gears for several weeks during this season of the Christian year, reframing how we look at time. Be still, right now, for a time. Pause to ponder, reflect, and wonder. Each day during this Advent, give yourself permission to lengthen your time of stillness. That which is of greatest value takes time - deep love, an emerging life, forgiveness, reconciliation, growth. These are precious gifts to us from God, each requiring God’s time which cannot be hastened. Oh God, have mercy upon us. Give us patience. Slow us down in this season, that we may recognize your holy love surrounding us. May we enter into the mystery of being pregnant with your generous grace gradually growing in fullness within us. In the name of the One we long for. Amen Rev. Wendy G. Van Tassell First Congregational Church Saugatuck, MI wjgvt@hotmail.com 1 Nelson, Gertrud Mueller, To Dance with God: Family Ritual and Community Celebration, Paulist Press, New York/Mahwah, 1986, p. 63 Wednesday, December 7, 2022 My people are taking to the streets. We gather Where the streets form a cross. We stand in stillness At the cross Before the place of Justice, Seeking mercy At the cross, In lament. So moved We cannot be still. We begin circling, together, Around the heart of the cross. Where separate roads come together Separate lives come together. Our hidden blinding grief carrying us To form one body. Our prayer to become visible. And as we move together We begin to see each other For the first time. I see my people, And they see me, And we are kin At the cross. In the streets. I see Where I was falling apart I am falling in step. Falling in step And stepping up. Here at the cross. The mask of coping alone Drops away And I become blind to everything But Love. I am with my people On God’s road To De-mask us. When the grace of night enfold us We know we haven’t just been to church: We are the church. Sally Redondo Padilla First Church of Squantum Squantum, MA Sallyredondopadilla@yahoo.com

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Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Elongated Time Please read Romans 8:22-25 Pre-Christian peoples who lived far north and who suffered the archetypal loss of life and light with the disappearance of the sun had a way of wooing back life and hope…Their solution was to bring all ordinary action and daily routine to a halt…They removed the wheels from their carts and wagons, festooned them with greens and light and brought them indoors to hang in their halls. They brought the wheels indoors as a sign of a different time, a time to stop and turn inward. 1 As Advent begins, I invite you to create your own family Advent wreath to mark your journey through this holy season. Imagine you have removed a wheel from your car. You bring it inside, decorating it as the base of your Advent wreath. I don’t know about you, but my life would slow down dramatically without the use of my car. This symbolism can help us shift gears for several weeks during this season of the Christian year, reframing how we look at time. Be still, right now, for a time. Pause to ponder, reflect, and wonder. Each day during this Advent, give yourself permission to lengthen your time of stillness. That which is of greatest value takes time - deep love, an emerging life, forgiveness, reconciliation, growth. These are precious gifts to us from God, each requiring God’s time which cannot be hastened. Oh God, have mercy upon us. Give us patience. Slow us down in this season, that we may recognize your holy love surrounding us. May we enter into the mystery of being pregnant with your generous grace gradually growing in fullness within us. In the name of the One we long for. Amen Rev. Wendy G. Van Tassell First Congregational Church Saugatuck, MI wjgvt@hotmail.com 1 Nelson, Gertrud Mueller, To Dance with God: Family Ritual and Community Celebration, Paulist Press, New York/Mahwah, 1986, p. 63 Wednesday, December 7, 2022 My people are taking to the streets. We gather Where the streets form a cross. We stand in stillness At the cross Before the place of Justice, Seeking mercy At the cross, In lament. So moved We cannot be still. We begin circling, together, Around the heart of the cross. Where separate roads come together Separate lives come together. Our hidden blinding grief carrying us To form one body. Our prayer to become visible. And as we move together We begin to see each other For the first time. I see my people, And they see me, And we are kin At the cross. In the streets. I see Where I was falling apart I am falling in step. Falling in step And stepping up. Here at the cross. The mask of coping alone Drops away And I become blind to everything But Love. I am with my people On God’s road To De-mask us. When the grace of night enfold us We know we haven’t just been to church: We are the church. Sally Redondo Padilla First Church of Squantum Squantum, MA Sallyredondopadilla@yahoo.com Thursday, December 8, 2022 God’s Timing is Perfect—to Eternity “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” - Psalm 121:1, 7-8 (NIV) The century that began in 1900 brought World War I (the war to end all wars), the Russian Revolution and Communism, WWII and the Holocaust, as well as the space age, information technology, and other advances. The twenty-first century, our current time in history, which continues until December 31, 2100, brings its own challenges of a global economy, terrorist attacks, others crossing our border illegally, emerging superpowers, and urban expansion, to name a few. How should we communicate? What should the language be? What cultures and politics should we support? On what economics and education should our population focus? Which planets should we explore? Many individual languages and populations are expected to cease completely by 2100. When there are choices and changes to make, there is always chaos and hurt feelings. The world is always changing. Things and people are always growing, learning, getting better. Jesus was born a little baby in a manger, grew up in Nazareth, and ministered in Palestine. He died and rose in Jerusalem, now sits at God’s right hand. And he now lives in our hearts. God never expected us to control the world or the universe. Those are His. He gives us faith, family, friends, and community to surround us, to pray over, and live with. Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me onward, lead us home. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen Mary McAliley Center Congregational Church Atlanta, GA marymcaliley@aol.com Friday, December 9, 2022 An Acceptable Time “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.” - Psalm 69:13 (ESV) In the beginning of the Psalm, the writer is calling out to God for salvation and expressing his despair at his condition; he is hated by others and has “become a reproach” (verse 7). Then we get to verse 13. He begins this part of his prayer with “At an acceptable time”. He continues his prayer by asking for help, for salvation, for the destruction of his enemies; and he is confident that God will answer those prayers, but “At an acceptable time”. We live in a hurry-up society. We want everything immediately; fast-food, internet downloads, overnight results. But God’s timing is different. We need to trust Him to provide answers, “At an acceptable time”. Sometimes, “wait” is the answer to our prayer. Sometimes the journey is the answer. The lessons we learn along the way are what we need for the future God has for us, and He will deliver us in His “acceptable time”. I have been working toward a goal but have encountered so many bumps along the way, that I have sometimes become discouraged and felt like quitting. This verse has helped me to remember that it is not always about the end goal, but sometimes I need remember that God has me on an adventure. Dear Lord, thank you helping me to understand that sometimes your answer is at the end of the journey and the trip is what helps me be ready for the blessing. Thank you for guiding me through the deep waters. Jami Backell Warden Community Church Warden, WA jamibackl@warden.wednet.edu

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Thursday, December 8, 2022 God’s Timing is Perfect—to Eternity “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” - Psalm 121:1, 7-8 (NIV) The century that began in 1900 brought World War I (the war to end all wars), the Russian Revolution and Communism, WWII and the Holocaust, as well as the space age, information technology, and other advances. The twenty-first century, our current time in history, which continues until December 31, 2100, brings its own challenges of a global economy, terrorist attacks, others crossing our border illegally, emerging superpowers, and urban expansion, to name a few. How should we communicate? What should the language be? What cultures and politics should we support? On what economics and education should our population focus? Which planets should we explore? Many individual languages and populations are expected to cease completely by 2100. When there are choices and changes to make, there is always chaos and hurt feelings. The world is always changing. Things and people are always growing, learning, getting better. Jesus was born a little baby in a manger, grew up in Nazareth, and ministered in Palestine. He died and rose in Jerusalem, now sits at God’s right hand. And he now lives in our hearts. God never expected us to control the world or the universe. Those are His. He gives us faith, family, friends, and community to surround us, to pray over, and live with. Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me onward, lead us home. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen Mary McAliley Center Congregational Church Atlanta, GA marymcaliley@aol.com Friday, December 9, 2022 An Acceptable Time “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.” - Psalm 69:13 (ESV) In the beginning of the Psalm, the writer is calling out to God for salvation and expressing his despair at his condition; he is hated by others and has “become a reproach” (verse 7). Then we get to verse 13. He begins this part of his prayer with “At an acceptable time”. He continues his prayer by asking for help, for salvation, for the destruction of his enemies; and he is confident that God will answer those prayers, but “At an acceptable time”. We live in a hurry-up society. We want everything immediately; fast-food, internet downloads, overnight results. But God’s timing is different. We need to trust Him to provide answers, “At an acceptable time”. Sometimes, “wait” is the answer to our prayer. Sometimes the journey is the answer. The lessons we learn along the way are what we need for the future God has for us, and He will deliver us in His “acceptable time”. I have been working toward a goal but have encountered so many bumps along the way, that I have sometimes become discouraged and felt like quitting. This verse has helped me to remember that it is not always about the end goal, but sometimes I need remember that God has me on an adventure. Dear Lord, thank you helping me to understand that sometimes your answer is at the end of the journey and the trip is what helps me be ready for the blessing. Thank you for guiding me through the deep waters. Jami Backell Warden Community Church Warden, WA jamibackl@warden.wednet.edu Saturday, December 10, 2022 Faith within the Waiting “For we live by faith, not by sight.” - 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) Waiting to hear if the diagnosis was cancer, waiting to hear if my unborn baby was still alive, waiting to hear if my dad would pull through his heart surgery, waiting to find out what my next job would be after I had lost mine…I reflect on some of the times I have stood “waiting.” I have grown to understand that in the waiting, we are offered a chance to walk by faith and not by sight! In addition, we who live in the here and now, and not in the world of the dead, are the only ones who can truly walk by faith! So, it is to be a cherished gift for us, this waiting and being offered faith through the waiting. This gift will not go with us through heaven’s gates. So, now is the time to seize it! Instead, then of wallowing in sorrow and anxiety which waiting can easily cause any of us to do, now within the waiting comes our opportunity to get in the Word, look at God’s promises, and be uplifted in faith through the power of the Holy Spirit! The time is now to behold faith! And as we get in the Word, we are reminded that through years upon years, the people of God waited for their Savior to come, standing in faith. In time, Jesus came and fulfilled God’s promise to us! God is faithful! Lord, as we wait on whatever it is each of us are in the waiting for, may we be reminded of your faithfulness to us so that our ability to walk by faith is not hindered by what we cannot see, but instead, blossoms with our eyes fixed on your faithfulness. May we look to the opportunity of walking by faith as a blessing and seize it! Amen Cindy Ovokaitys, Lay Minister Faith Community Church Franklin, WI Cindyovo99@wi.rr.com Third Sunday of Advent, December 11, 2022 Togo “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”- 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) Balto was the most celebrated member of the dog sled teams that ran diphtheria serum across the frozen tundra in January 1925. However, as documented in the recent Disney film, Togo, was likely the most important lead dog in that race to deliver the cure to sick people in Nome, Alaska. Togo and his musher, Leonhard Seppala traveled a total of 260 miles out of the 674 miles traveled to deliver the serum. Togo was 12 years old when he led his team on this “Great Race of Mercy.” Now, I am not really much of a dog person; I am more of a crazy cat lady. However, this story mesmerized me when I watched the Disney film on a recent cruise vacation. I immediately saw the connection between the theme for this Advent Devotional “God’s Timing,” and the story of the 1925 serum run. Togo was an old dog when he ran this race. However, run he did! He had run countless miles as a sled dog and indeed, he had saved Seppala’s life as well as the other dogs on his team’s lives on various occasions. Togo was not only a born leader, but also a great friend to Seppala and his wife. Togo died on Thursday, December 5, 1929, at the age of 16 years old after siring numerous puppies now known as “Seppala Siberian Huskies.” The story of Togo is a perfect example of God’s timing in action. Togo ran the race as an old dog, and then, lived even longer as a happy and devoted working animal. As we prepare for Christmas, we have many things to do, and time is short. However, God always has a reason for all he does and will be with us always, and forever, even to old age. Prayer: Dear Lord, allow us to celebrate the time for everything in every season. Amen Dr. Lisa Bircher Grace Church Columbiana, OH Lisa.Bircher@epschools.k12.oh.us

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Saturday, December 10, 2022 Faith within the Waiting “For we live by faith, not by sight.” - 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) Waiting to hear if the diagnosis was cancer, waiting to hear if my unborn baby was still alive, waiting to hear if my dad would pull through his heart surgery, waiting to find out what my next job would be after I had lost mine…I reflect on some of the times I have stood “waiting.” I have grown to understand that in the waiting, we are offered a chance to walk by faith and not by sight! In addition, we who live in the here and now, and not in the world of the dead, are the only ones who can truly walk by faith! So, it is to be a cherished gift for us, this waiting and being offered faith through the waiting. This gift will not go with us through heaven’s gates. So, now is the time to seize it! Instead, then of wallowing in sorrow and anxiety which waiting can easily cause any of us to do, now within the waiting comes our opportunity to get in the Word, look at God’s promises, and be uplifted in faith through the power of the Holy Spirit! The time is now to behold faith! And as we get in the Word, we are reminded that through years upon years, the people of God waited for their Savior to come, standing in faith. In time, Jesus came and fulfilled God’s promise to us! God is faithful! Lord, as we wait on whatever it is each of us are in the waiting for, may we be reminded of your faithfulness to us so that our ability to walk by faith is not hindered by what we cannot see, but instead, blossoms with our eyes fixed on your faithfulness. May we look to the opportunity of walking by faith as a blessing and seize it! Amen Cindy Ovokaitys, Lay Minister Faith Community Church Franklin, WI Cindyovo99@wi.rr.com Third Sunday of Advent, December 11, 2022 Togo “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”- 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) Balto was the most celebrated member of the dog sled teams that ran diphtheria serum across the frozen tundra in January 1925. However, as documented in the recent Disney film, Togo, was likely the most important lead dog in that race to deliver the cure to sick people in Nome, Alaska. Togo and his musher, Leonhard Seppala traveled a total of 260 miles out of the 674 miles traveled to deliver the serum. Togo was 12 years old when he led his team on this “Great Race of Mercy.” Now, I am not really much of a dog person; I am more of a crazy cat lady. However, this story mesmerized me when I watched the Disney film on a recent cruise vacation. I immediately saw the connection between the theme for this Advent Devotional “God’s Timing,” and the story of the 1925 serum run. Togo was an old dog when he ran this race. However, run he did! He had run countless miles as a sled dog and indeed, he had saved Seppala’s life as well as the other dogs on his team’s lives on various occasions. Togo was not only a born leader, but also a great friend to Seppala and his wife. Togo died on Thursday, December 5, 1929, at the age of 16 years old after siring numerous puppies now known as “Seppala Siberian Huskies.” The story of Togo is a perfect example of God’s timing in action. Togo ran the race as an old dog, and then, lived even longer as a happy and devoted working animal. As we prepare for Christmas, we have many things to do, and time is short. However, God always has a reason for all he does and will be with us always, and forever, even to old age. Prayer: Dear Lord, allow us to celebrate the time for everything in every season. Amen Dr. Lisa Bircher Grace Church Columbiana, OH Lisa.Bircher@epschools.k12.oh.us

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Monday, December 12, 2022 God’s Timing is Not Always Convenient “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19 (NIV) What we learn from the Christmas story is: God has a timetable for everything. God does not give us details in advance. God is never in a hurry, but he is never late. The Bible is not silent on the topic of God’s timing. God has a plan for our lives and our ministries, but it is not painless and not always easy. Think about Mary and Joseph. Mary was pregnant, and a virgin. Can you just imagine that discussion with her mother? “Hi mom! I’m pregnant, I am still a virgin and my baby is God.” Caesar had mandated that all had to return to their birthplace for the census. That meant that Mary had to travel by donkey to get to Bethlehem the day before she delivered her baby. Then she had to have her baby in a barn with all the animals and their fragrances, and Joseph being the only family present! I am pretty sure this was not Mary’s plan; but it was God’s plan. The Christmas story was not Mary and Joseph’s idea of how they wanted to welcome their first child into this world. It was part of a much bigger plan. 2020 was a very inconvenient year for most of us. Who would have dreamed that there would be pandemic that would kill thousands of people? Who would have imagined having to close our churches for months at a time? Who would have thought that 2 ½ years later we would still be wearing masks?! Many of us are in a difficult place, “God’s waiting room.” We are waiting for Covid-19 restrictions to be fully lifted. We are waiting for our congregations to return to church. When you are waiting for something to happen in a hurry and God isn’t in a hurry, that, is “God’s waiting room.” When the time is right, God will answer your prayers. Even 2020 can’t get in the way of His perfect plan. Merciful God, We love and trust you. We ask for the patience and blessings as we wait for your perfect plan to present itself. In your name we pray, Amen Pastor Patty Smith Berwick Congregational Church Berwick, IA happypatty51@gmail.com Tuesday, December 13 Timing is Everything “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.” - Luke 2:1 (NRSV) History scholars claim there is scant evidence that Imperial Rome demanded a first century census. Yet, a census would have made perfect sense. How many can be taxed? Who is eligible to serve in the military? These are vital questions if you happen to be in the business of running an empire. It would have made more sense for census takers to visit occupied lands. Consider the convenience and the efficiency of “people counters” knocking on doors rather than an upheaval of every life in the empire. Governments have seldom been interested in convenience or efficiency. Rome’s edict and God’s plan coincided. Of course, God was not dependent upon the emperor’s decree to bring about Christ’s birth. Joseph and Mary’s trudge to Bethlehem was the result of Augustus’ decree, but it was also in harmony with God’s plan for salvation. The moment was right. It matters little if a census scroll exists in the archives of Rome. What truly matters to each of us is the wonder of how all things work together in God’s realm. What matters is an infant born in a stable would one day sit down beside us, preach and teach, heal, and give hope. Then, at a place called Calvary, give up his life that we would have ever lasting life. For such a divine undertaking, timing is everything, but wholly independent of an emperor’s decree. Loving God, help us to live in the moment. May we see your presence in the ordinary of life as well as in the unfathomable wonder of your grace. May we relish our time in this life as we seek the eternal. Help us to make our time truly matter. Amen Rev. Dr. Jerry Jones (Retired) First Congregational Church of Greenville Greenville, MI daclamrev1@gmail.com Saturday, December 10, 2022 Faith within the Waiting “For we live by faith, not by sight.” - 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) Waiting to hear if the diagnosis was cancer, waiting to hear if my unborn baby was still alive, waiting to hear if my dad would pull through his heart surgery, waiting to find out what my next job would be after I had lost mine…I reflect on some of the times I have stood “waiting.” I have grown to understand that in the waiting, we are offered a chance to walk by faith and not by sight! In addition, we who live in the here and now, and not in the world of the dead, are the only ones who can truly walk by faith! So, it is to be a cherished gift for us, this waiting and being offered faith through the waiting. This gift will not go with us through heaven’s gates. So, now is the time to seize it! Instead, then of wallowing in sorrow and anxiety which waiting can easily cause any of us to do, now within the waiting comes our opportunity to get in the Word, look at God’s promises, and be uplifted in faith through the power of the Holy Spirit! The time is now to behold faith! And as we get in the Word, we are reminded that through years upon years, the people of God waited for their Savior to come, standing in faith. In time, Jesus came and fulfilled God’s promise to us! God is faithful! Lord, as we wait on whatever it is each of us are in the waiting for, may we be reminded of your faithfulness to us so that our ability to walk by faith is not hindered by what we cannot see, but instead, blossoms with our eyes fixed on your faithfulness. May we look to the opportunity of walking by faith as a blessing and seize it! Amen Cindy Ovokaitys, Lay Minister Faith Community Church Franklin, WI Cindyovo99@wi.rr.com Third Sunday of Advent, December 11, 2022 Togo “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”- 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) Balto was the most celebrated member of the dog sled teams that ran diphtheria serum across the frozen tundra in January 1925. However, as documented in the recent Disney film, Togo, was likely the most important lead dog in that race to deliver the cure to sick people in Nome, Alaska. Togo and his musher, Leonhard Seppala traveled a total of 260 miles out of the 674 miles traveled to deliver the serum. Togo was 12 years old when he led his team on this “Great Race of Mercy.” Now, I am not really much of a dog person; I am more of a crazy cat lady. However, this story mesmerized me when I watched the Disney film on a recent cruise vacation. I immediately saw the connection between the theme for this Advent Devotional “God’s Timing,” and the story of the 1925 serum run. Togo was an old dog when he ran this race. However, run he did! He had run countless miles as a sled dog and indeed, he had saved Seppala’s life as well as the other dogs on his team’s lives on various occasions. Togo was not only a born leader, but also a great friend to Seppala and his wife. Togo died on Thursday, December 5, 1929, at the age of 16 years old after siring numerous puppies now known as “Seppala Siberian Huskies.” The story of Togo is a perfect example of God’s timing in action. Togo ran the race as an old dog, and then, lived even longer as a happy and devoted working animal. As we prepare for Christmas, we have many things to do, and time is short. However, God always has a reason for all he does and will be with us always, and forever, even to old age. Prayer: Dear Lord, allow us to celebrate the time for everything in every season. Amen Dr. Lisa Bircher Grace Church Columbiana, OH Lisa.Bircher@epschools.k12.oh.us

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Monday, December 12, 2022 God’s Timing is Not Always Convenient “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19 (NIV) What we learn from the Christmas story is: God has a timetable for everything. God does not give us details in advance. God is never in a hurry, but he is never late. The Bible is not silent on the topic of God’s timing. God has a plan for our lives and our ministries, but it is not painless and not always easy. Think about Mary and Joseph. Mary was pregnant, and a virgin. Can you just imagine that discussion with her mother? “Hi mom! I’m pregnant, I am still a virgin and my baby is God.” Caesar had mandated that all had to return to their birthplace for the census. That meant that Mary had to travel by donkey to get to Bethlehem the day before she delivered her baby. Then she had to have her baby in a barn with all the animals and their fragrances, and Joseph being the only family present! I am pretty sure this was not Mary’s plan; but it was God’s plan. The Christmas story was not Mary and Joseph’s idea of how they wanted to welcome their first child into this world. It was part of a much bigger plan. 2020 was a very inconvenient year for most of us. Who would have dreamed that there would be pandemic that would kill thousands of people? Who would have imagined having to close our churches for months at a time? Who would have thought that 2 ½ years later we would still be wearing masks?! Many of us are in a difficult place, “God’s waiting room.” We are waiting for Covid-19 restrictions to be fully lifted. We are waiting for our congregations to return to church. When you are waiting for something to happen in a hurry and God isn’t in a hurry, that, is “God’s waiting room.” When the time is right, God will answer your prayers. Even 2020 can’t get in the way of His perfect plan. Merciful God, We love and trust you. We ask for the patience and blessings as we wait for your perfect plan to present itself. In your name we pray, Amen Pastor Patty Smith Berwick Congregational Church Berwick, IA happypatty51@gmail.com Tuesday, December 13 Timing is Everything “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.” - Luke 2:1 (NRSV) History scholars claim there is scant evidence that Imperial Rome demanded a first century census. Yet, a census would have made perfect sense. How many can be taxed? Who is eligible to serve in the military? These are vital questions if you happen to be in the business of running an empire. It would have made more sense for census takers to visit occupied lands. Consider the convenience and the efficiency of “people counters” knocking on doors rather than an upheaval of every life in the empire. Governments have seldom been interested in convenience or efficiency. Rome’s edict and God’s plan coincided. Of course, God was not dependent upon the emperor’s decree to bring about Christ’s birth. Joseph and Mary’s trudge to Bethlehem was the result of Augustus’ decree, but it was also in harmony with God’s plan for salvation. The moment was right. It matters little if a census scroll exists in the archives of Rome. What truly matters to each of us is the wonder of how all things work together in God’s realm. What matters is an infant born in a stable would one day sit down beside us, preach and teach, heal, and give hope. Then, at a place called Calvary, give up his life that we would have ever lasting life. For such a divine undertaking, timing is everything, but wholly independent of an emperor’s decree. Loving God, help us to live in the moment. May we see your presence in the ordinary of life as well as in the unfathomable wonder of your grace. May we relish our time in this life as we seek the eternal. Help us to make our time truly matter. Amen Rev. Dr. Jerry Jones (Retired) First Congregational Church of Greenville Greenville, MI daclamrev1@gmail.com Wednesday, December 14, 2022 When Mary Didn’t Know! “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.” - Luke 1:38 (NIV) I have lost control of my Christmas! It used to be that I could go to the store, pick a gift, wrap it, and deliver it as I wanted. But now Amazon controls my giving. I can’t control what I get, when I will get it, they control me from beginning to end. In Wisconsin we like to send Racine Kringle to our California family. But I don’t have control of that either. I have to be certain that when the Kringle arrives in California on my brother's hot 70-80 degree doorstep that they are going to be there to take it in right away. It's complicated and if I’m not in control my family might end up with krumble instead of Kringle! So much is out of our control. This is exactly how Mary, and for that matter Joseph, must have felt that first Christmas. The Bible tells us that Mary and Joseph were visited by an Angel and both were given instructions on what was happening and what they were supposed to do. Mary was not in control of what was happening to her. The angel dictated all of God’s expectations. • She would be pregnant • The Baby’s name is to be Jesus • The Baby would be born in Bethlehem • He will be called the Son of the most high! Nothing about what was happening to Mary was in her control. Remarkably she and Joseph were very compliant and agreeable to the Angel’s directions. I don’t know many people like Mary and Joseph who could relinquish so much control. Lord help me to remember Mary and Joseph this Christmas when I am complaining about not being in control. You have the best plans and I want to relinquish control to you. Amen Rev. Dr. Stu Merkel Faith Community Church Franklin, WI Thursday, December 15, 2022 Wait, Wait “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.”- Luke 2:25-26 (NIV) There is a familiar chant that goes something like this: “what do we want, (fill in the blank); when do we want it, now!” Or maybe you work someplace where the answer to the question “when do you need it?” is always “yesterday”. How hard is it to wait for something you really want? If you ordered that shining new gadget online, would you select “same day delivery,” or would you be willing to select “anytime, you choose”? We want things now and we don’t like to wait, but waiting is exactly what the Bible instructs us to do (Psalm 130). Not only are we to wait, but we are to trust that God will act in His time (Isaiah 49:8), not ours. During this season of Advent, we wait for both the Messiah’s birth and His coming again. The Bible tells us about many people who waited for God. One of those people waiting for the Messiah was a man named Simeon. We don’t know how long Simeon waited, but the text implies he waited a long time. God promised him that he would see the Messiah before he died. I’m sure Simeon wished that God had acted sooner (Simeon, after all was human), but he trusted God and remained faithful. Each day he stepped into the Temple, trusting that someday God would deliver on His promise. Simeon waited and God delivered. Oh Lord God, we hate to wait. Like little children demanding to be fed, we want everything now. We know what we want, but not what we need. But you Lord know us inside out, all of our faults and fears, our faithless nights and doubt filled days; teach us to wait on You, to trust You now and forevermore. Amen T.D. Larson First Congregational Church Kingston, NH tdlarson73@gmail.com

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Wednesday, December 14, 2022 When Mary Didn’t Know! “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.” - Luke 1:38 (NIV) I have lost control of my Christmas! It used to be that I could go to the store, pick a gift, wrap it, and deliver it as I wanted. But now Amazon controls my giving. I can’t control what I get, when I will get it, they control me from beginning to end. In Wisconsin we like to send Racine Kringle to our California family. But I don’t have control of that either. I have to be certain that when the Kringle arrives in California on my brother's hot 70-80 degree doorstep that they are going to be there to take it in right away. It's complicated and if I’m not in control my family might end up with krumble instead of Kringle! So much is out of our control. This is exactly how Mary, and for that matter Joseph, must have felt that first Christmas. The Bible tells us that Mary and Joseph were visited by an Angel and both were given instructions on what was happening and what they were supposed to do. Mary was not in control of what was happening to her. The angel dictated all of God’s expectations. • She would be pregnant • The Baby’s name is to be Jesus • The Baby would be born in Bethlehem • He will be called the Son of the most high! Nothing about what was happening to Mary was in her control. Remarkably she and Joseph were very compliant and agreeable to the Angel’s directions. I don’t know many people like Mary and Joseph who could relinquish so much control. Lord help me to remember Mary and Joseph this Christmas when I am complaining about not being in control. You have the best plans and I want to relinquish control to you. Amen Rev. Dr. Stu Merkel Faith Community Church Franklin, WI Thursday, December 15, 2022 Wait, Wait “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.”- Luke 2:25-26 (NIV) There is a familiar chant that goes something like this: “what do we want, (fill in the blank); when do we want it, now!” Or maybe you work someplace where the answer to the question “when do you need it?” is always “yesterday”. How hard is it to wait for something you really want? If you ordered that shining new gadget online, would you select “same day delivery,” or would you be willing to select “anytime, you choose”? We want things now and we don’t like to wait, but waiting is exactly what the Bible instructs us to do (Psalm 130). Not only are we to wait, but we are to trust that God will act in His time (Isaiah 49:8), not ours. During this season of Advent, we wait for both the Messiah’s birth and His coming again. The Bible tells us about many people who waited for God. One of those people waiting for the Messiah was a man named Simeon. We don’t know how long Simeon waited, but the text implies he waited a long time. God promised him that he would see the Messiah before he died. I’m sure Simeon wished that God had acted sooner (Simeon, after all was human), but he trusted God and remained faithful. Each day he stepped into the Temple, trusting that someday God would deliver on His promise. Simeon waited and God delivered. Oh Lord God, we hate to wait. Like little children demanding to be fed, we want everything now. We know what we want, but not what we need. But you Lord know us inside out, all of our faults and fears, our faithless nights and doubt filled days; teach us to wait on You, to trust You now and forevermore. Amen T.D. Larson First Congregational Church Kingston, NH tdlarson73@gmail.com Friday, December 16, 2022 God’s timetable “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his son.” - Galatians 4:4 (NIV) We have all heard the Christmas story or maybe preached it many times. I was just wondering, as a new minister, what can the timing of Jesus’ birth tell us about God’s timing in our own ministries? God had been telling the world for centuries that he would send a Savior. But God waited until just the right time to send His son. Why not sooner? God had his own timetable for Christmas. In the Galatians reading it says: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his son…”- Galatians 4:4 (NIV) God doesn’t announce his timetable in advance because he wants us to trust him more today than we did yesterday. Everything he does for us is out of love. I am sure the people of Israel thought God was certainly taking his time. Many thought he was late. The Bible says Jesus came at just the right time and not a second late. That has implications for our ministries and our lives. If God has given you a vision, God won’t want you to give up. Many of us are still recovering from what I call our Covid-19 adventure. In Habakkuk 2:3 we read, “…Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” If God gave you a dream, He will make it happen. God is not in a hurry. He has a timetable that he will fulfill. God’s timing is always perfect! Most Heavenly Father, we are a people that want what we want, and on our timetable. Please forgive us and lead us to follow and trust you knowing that your timing is always perfect. In your precious name we pray, Amen Pastor Patty Smith Berwick Congregational Church Berwick, IA Happypatty51@gmail.com Saturday, December 17, 2022 What God is Doing Right Now “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” - Matthew 6:34 (MSG) I have been reading through the Bible this year using the Message translation and came across this gem. The ESV says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” That’s how I’ve always heard this verse, with the emphasis on not worrying. It is part of the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus has been talking about God takes care of everything, the flowers, the birds, and especially God’s people; so don’t worry. But I love the perspective of the Message version – the positive spin... “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now”. That is not easy for someone like me. I love to plan ahead. I have lists for everything and am constantly checking my calendar and updating my future “to-do” lists. But today I want to concentrate on seeing what God is doing right now... today; and join God in His work, trusting that He will help me “deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes”. When I’m focused on God there’s no room for worry. Dear Lord, please help me focus on what you are doing in my life now, instead of worrying about how You are going to work in my future. Thank you for caring for me. Amen Jami Backell Warden Community Church Warden, WA jamibackl@warden.wednet.edu

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Friday, December 16, 2022 God’s timetable “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his son.” - Galatians 4:4 (NIV) We have all heard the Christmas story or maybe preached it many times. I was just wondering, as a new minister, what can the timing of Jesus’ birth tell us about God’s timing in our own ministries? God had been telling the world for centuries that he would send a Savior. But God waited until just the right time to send His son. Why not sooner? God had his own timetable for Christmas. In the Galatians reading it says: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his son…”- Galatians 4:4 (NIV) God doesn’t announce his timetable in advance because he wants us to trust him more today than we did yesterday. Everything he does for us is out of love. I am sure the people of Israel thought God was certainly taking his time. Many thought he was late. The Bible says Jesus came at just the right time and not a second late. That has implications for our ministries and our lives. If God has given you a vision, God won’t want you to give up. Many of us are still recovering from what I call our Covid-19 adventure. In Habakkuk 2:3 we read, “…Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” If God gave you a dream, He will make it happen. God is not in a hurry. He has a timetable that he will fulfill. God’s timing is always perfect! Most Heavenly Father, we are a people that want what we want, and on our timetable. Please forgive us and lead us to follow and trust you knowing that your timing is always perfect. In your precious name we pray, Amen Pastor Patty Smith Berwick Congregational Church Berwick, IA Happypatty51@gmail.com Saturday, December 17, 2022 What God is Doing Right Now “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” - Matthew 6:34 (MSG) I have been reading through the Bible this year using the Message translation and came across this gem. The ESV says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” That’s how I’ve always heard this verse, with the emphasis on not worrying. It is part of the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus has been talking about God takes care of everything, the flowers, the birds, and especially God’s people; so don’t worry. But I love the perspective of the Message version – the positive spin... “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now”. That is not easy for someone like me. I love to plan ahead. I have lists for everything and am constantly checking my calendar and updating my future “to-do” lists. But today I want to concentrate on seeing what God is doing right now... today; and join God in His work, trusting that He will help me “deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes”. When I’m focused on God there’s no room for worry. Dear Lord, please help me focus on what you are doing in my life now, instead of worrying about how You are going to work in my future. Thank you for caring for me. Amen Jami Backell Warden Community Church Warden, WA jamibackl@warden.wednet.edu Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 18, 2022 Late in Time “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, so that we might receive adoption as children.” - Galatians 4:4-5 (NRSV) There was a dear older couple in a church I once served who ALWAYS arrived late to worship. It was just expected that they would arrive sometime before the sermon and would definitely be there when it came time to share joys and concerns for prayer. During Advent one year, we were singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” for the second hymn and right as we sang the line in the second verse, “Late in time behold Him come,” the couple walked in! I chuckled to myself, the sound drowned out by the singing. Paul writes in Galatians that it was “when the fullness of time had come” that Jesus was sent to be among us. Everything had to fall into place. He had to be born of a human woman. He had to be born “under the law,” or into the tradition of the law. All of this had to happen “so that we might receive adoption as children.” “Late” in the hymn does not actually indicate that God’s plan happened “behind schedule,” but that it happened after all other things had occurred that needed to take place prior to His coming into the world. It is important to recognize that God’s timing is not always according to our anticipated order of things, but it does make sense. There is a pattern and a sequence that brings us into those sacred moments of fulfillment where we can step back, breathe, and finally be able to say, “Aha! I get it now.” Advent helps us to slow down so that we can tell what time it is according to God’s calendar. God of perfect timing, thank you for entering into the history of our world to claim us as your children. In this holy season, we are grateful and glad that we have received your redemption. Amen Rev. Dr. Charles A. Packer, Senior Minister Pine Hill Congregational Church West Bloomfield, MI Dean, Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies Chaplain-Director, Congregational Retreat Society drcapacker@gmail.com Monday, December 19, 2022 Christ Save Our Village “He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Matthew 22:37-39 (NRSV) A man from church that I knew well and liked much surprised me. This man who served the church in so many ways, as a deacon, a trustee, singing in the choir and most importantly just being a good man entered into a one-person boycott of the choir one week. They were going to sing a song named after the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Perhaps he had some belief raising a child is a family matter, I thought, but ultimately it was because Hillary Clinton’s book bore that same title. So, although he had sung in the choir week in and week out for more than twenty years, that particular Sunday morning his choir robe hung in the closet out back as he sat in the pew while his choirmates stood and sang. I spoke to him about his reasoning but as we so often do, he had so convinced himself that any attempt by me to change his mind was fruitless. Many people had heard how he felt, but most of us missed it being an early symptom of an affliction that would soon touch many of us. The divisive nature of our political views often gets in the way of our paying any attention to the “second greatest commandment” to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:39) I do not mean to belittle this man whatsoever for he was a good man that in many ways exhibited many good virtues of the faith life. Unfortunately, like most of us, he was not perfect, and his life also spoke of the kinds of things that people point to when they call Christians hypocrites, judgmental and self-righteous. Thanks be to Emmanuel, our God who comes to dwell among us in this village. O Come Emmanuel teach us peace. Amen Rev. Don Mayberry (Retired) First Congregational Church South Paris, ME

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Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 18, 2022 Late in Time “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, so that we might receive adoption as children.” - Galatians 4:4-5 (NRSV) There was a dear older couple in a church I once served who ALWAYS arrived late to worship. It was just expected that they would arrive sometime before the sermon and would definitely be there when it came time to share joys and concerns for prayer. During Advent one year, we were singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” for the second hymn and right as we sang the line in the second verse, “Late in time behold Him come,” the couple walked in! I chuckled to myself, the sound drowned out by the singing. Paul writes in Galatians that it was “when the fullness of time had come” that Jesus was sent to be among us. Everything had to fall into place. He had to be born of a human woman. He had to be born “under the law,” or into the tradition of the law. All of this had to happen “so that we might receive adoption as children.” “Late” in the hymn does not actually indicate that God’s plan happened “behind schedule,” but that it happened after all other things had occurred that needed to take place prior to His coming into the world. It is important to recognize that God’s timing is not always according to our anticipated order of things, but it does make sense. There is a pattern and a sequence that brings us into those sacred moments of fulfillment where we can step back, breathe, and finally be able to say, “Aha! I get it now.” Advent helps us to slow down so that we can tell what time it is according to God’s calendar. God of perfect timing, thank you for entering into the history of our world to claim us as your children. In this holy season, we are grateful and glad that we have received your redemption. Amen Rev. Dr. Charles A. Packer, Senior Minister Pine Hill Congregational Church West Bloomfield, MI Dean, Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies Chaplain-Director, Congregational Retreat Society drcapacker@gmail.com Monday, December 19, 2022 Christ Save Our Village “He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Matthew 22:37-39 (NRSV) A man from church that I knew well and liked much surprised me. This man who served the church in so many ways, as a deacon, a trustee, singing in the choir and most importantly just being a good man entered into a one-person boycott of the choir one week. They were going to sing a song named after the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Perhaps he had some belief raising a child is a family matter, I thought, but ultimately it was because Hillary Clinton’s book bore that same title. So, although he had sung in the choir week in and week out for more than twenty years, that particular Sunday morning his choir robe hung in the closet out back as he sat in the pew while his choirmates stood and sang. I spoke to him about his reasoning but as we so often do, he had so convinced himself that any attempt by me to change his mind was fruitless. Many people had heard how he felt, but most of us missed it being an early symptom of an affliction that would soon touch many of us. The divisive nature of our political views often gets in the way of our paying any attention to the “second greatest commandment” to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:39) I do not mean to belittle this man whatsoever for he was a good man that in many ways exhibited many good virtues of the faith life. Unfortunately, like most of us, he was not perfect, and his life also spoke of the kinds of things that people point to when they call Christians hypocrites, judgmental and self-righteous. Thanks be to Emmanuel, our God who comes to dwell among us in this village. O Come Emmanuel teach us peace. Amen Rev. Don Mayberry (Retired) First Congregational Church South Paris, ME

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Tuesday, December 20, 2022 In the margins . . . “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom … they shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.” - Isaiah 35:1,2b (NRSV) When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph’s hearts were filled with hope. They had a precious child. They were in a safe place - at least temporarily, for soon enough Herod would learn of a possible threat to his power. But for a while, in their cozy micro-world, in the snug stable, with the heat of the animals, the world was good. It was full of anticipation, full of love. The radical, fateful, heaven-and-earth shaking events would occur later. Now was the time for reverence. We often look for God in the big things of life, the big problems, the big matters. Yet in God’s world we should be alert to listen for His voice in the small and common. In the seemingly trivial we will appreciate God’s presence continuously surrounding us. Dietrich Bonhoeffer lived appreciating God-with-us when he observed that “God is the beyond in the midst of life, not simply where human powers give out at the borders, but in the center of human achievement and joyous living.” While we might persist to search for God in critical events; we should also pursue Him in the little, the outwardly marginal, the everyday, even in a stable with animals, in a tiny village, in an occupied country, in the incarnate Lord. Lord, during this season of Advent, as we prepare for Christmas, we pray for your grace so we may open our egocentric eyes to the astonishing wonder that you have given us and is right in front of us. Amen Rev. Dr. Barry W. Szymanski, (Retired) Brookfield, WI bwslmp@gmail.com Wednesday, December 21, 2022 The Face of God “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you”- Isaiah 66:13 (NIV) Babies, babies! I’ve recently attended several baby showers. Flashback to a frosty October morning, 1992, I was headed to the hospital to give birth to my own baby. He was late so they were inducing my labor. Routine stuff, right? Pitocin was brutal, causing severe pain and exhaustion. Have mercy, Lord... Hours later, a nurse came to break my water with the longest needles I have ever seen. Then abruptly my world spun off its axis as I started to hemorrhage. I was in excruciating pain! In the distance I heard, "Code Blue, she's bleeding out!" Worried about my baby, I suddenly felt myself falling backward, spinning down. Instantly all pain faded and I was enveloped in a warm tunnel of light. It was an incredible feeling of comfort and love. Is this what it's like to go to heaven, to see the face of God? Not sure how I got to the operating room. Next thing I knew, there was a mini me on my chest. When our eyes first met, it was like looking into a mirror. I prayed thanks to God for allowing me to stay and be his mama. What did I learn? It doesn't physically hurt to die. It just hurts to leave your loved ones. God is the most amazing light and He will wrap His arms around you when you are in need. I realigned my priorities. So here we are 30 years later. Single parenting is hard but with God's help and a village of loved ones, my sons have turned out to be pretty decent human beings. Thanks for keeping me around, God. I would not have wanted to miss a single minute. Come to us in our times of need, sweet baby Jesus and wrap us in your warm light. Amen Colleen Murray Gahanna Community Congregational Church Gahanna, OH Thursday, December 22, 2022 Why? Deep Spiritual Hunger! “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son.” - Galatians 4:4 (NIV) Paul says, “. . . the time had fully come. . . .’’ This was the right time, the correct time, God’s time. Why was this the right time for God to send his Son?” Common every day Greek was spoken and understood by just about everyone. Alexander's armies came from many different areas of Greece. The soldiers developed a common language as they marched and fought alongside each other. It was the time of the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace. From 20BC, until 180AD the Roman Empire remained safe from outside invasion. This made it much easier to share the gospel. By the time Jesus was born, Rome had built a large highway of roads over which the Roman armies marched. These same roads were used by the first Christians who declared that Christ had come. The Jewish dispersions of 722BC and 586BC, scattered Jews throughout the Roman Empire. Jews founded synagogues where not only Jews, but many Gentiles gathered for worship and to keep the promises of the coming Messiah alive. The most important reason was great moral decay, religious confusion and a deep spiritual hunger. This time was the right time for God to fulfill the promise of the savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It was God’s time. Dear Lord, thank you for sending your son into the world to save the world from sin and death. Through your Holy Spirit help us to make this time the right time for Jesus Christ to come anew into our hearts and lives. In the name of the Babe of Bethlehem we pray. Amen Rev. Dr. Lowell Linden Pilgrim Congregational church Pomona, CA lowelllinden@icloud.com Friday, December 23, 2022 A Time Line Please read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Way, way before humans created the formal concept of time, organizing life in relationship to the sun and the movement of the Earth, God placed within every living thing a mysterious rhythm of time. While it is self-evident and intuitive, we humans typically struggle with time, especially what we would call, “God’s time” or “God’s timing” in our lives. I think, most often, it’s an issue of control, or lack of it. Today’s familiar passage about time invites us to think more specifically about time in our individual lives. Take a sheet of blank paper. Turn it horizontally. Draw a line from left to right through the middle of the paper. Use the line as a timeline of your life, allowing the Ecclesiastes passage to prompt you to reflect on the significant moments or milestones, both jubilant and raw and in between, which have formed you over the time you have been blessed to live thus far. (This exercise does not need to be completed in one sitting, in fact, you might want to lean into its revelations by giving it as much time as you need.) As you reflect upon each of the verbs articulated in the passage, note times when you experienced them in your life. Jot down, perhaps in your own shorthand, your life circumstances which came along with those actions. Invite God to help you ponder these moments or portions of time in your life and consider where God was in your journey. God of all time, space and creation, you have given me the breath of life which I often take for granted. Help me resist the temptation to be constantly pressured by time, but to relish the vast gifts of times you have given to me throughout my lifetime. Forgive me when I have been a poor steward of time. With gratitude and humility, I ask that your Spirit guide me into the life-giving use of my time as I move into the future. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen Rev. Wendy G. Van Tassell First Congregational Church Saugatuck, MI wjgvt@hotmail.com

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Thursday, December 22, 2022 Why? Deep Spiritual Hunger! “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son.” - Galatians 4:4 (NIV) Paul says, “. . . the time had fully come. . . .’’ This was the right time, the correct time, God’s time. Why was this the right time for God to send his Son?” Common every day Greek was spoken and understood by just about everyone. Alexander's armies came from many different areas of Greece. The soldiers developed a common language as they marched and fought alongside each other. It was the time of the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace. From 20BC, until 180AD the Roman Empire remained safe from outside invasion. This made it much easier to share the gospel. By the time Jesus was born, Rome had built a large highway of roads over which the Roman armies marched. These same roads were used by the first Christians who declared that Christ had come. The Jewish dispersions of 722BC and 586BC, scattered Jews throughout the Roman Empire. Jews founded synagogues where not only Jews, but many Gentiles gathered for worship and to keep the promises of the coming Messiah alive. The most important reason was great moral decay, religious confusion and a deep spiritual hunger. This time was the right time for God to fulfill the promise of the savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It was God’s time. Dear Lord, thank you for sending your son into the world to save the world from sin and death. Through your Holy Spirit help us to make this time the right time for Jesus Christ to come anew into our hearts and lives. In the name of the Babe of Bethlehem we pray. Amen Rev. Dr. Lowell Linden Pilgrim Congregational church Pomona, CA lowelllinden@icloud.com Friday, December 23, 2022 A Time Line Please read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Way, way before humans created the formal concept of time, organizing life in relationship to the sun and the movement of the Earth, God placed within every living thing a mysterious rhythm of time. While it is self-evident and intuitive, we humans typically struggle with time, especially what we would call, “God’s time” or “God’s timing” in our lives. I think, most often, it’s an issue of control, or lack of it. Today’s familiar passage about time invites us to think more specifically about time in our individual lives. Take a sheet of blank paper. Turn it horizontally. Draw a line from left to right through the middle of the paper. Use the line as a timeline of your life, allowing the Ecclesiastes passage to prompt you to reflect on the significant moments or milestones, both jubilant and raw and in between, which have formed you over the time you have been blessed to live thus far. (This exercise does not need to be completed in one sitting, in fact, you might want to lean into its revelations by giving it as much time as you need.) As you reflect upon each of the verbs articulated in the passage, note times when you experienced them in your life. Jot down, perhaps in your own shorthand, your life circumstances which came along with those actions. Invite God to help you ponder these moments or portions of time in your life and consider where God was in your journey. God of all time, space and creation, you have given me the breath of life which I often take for granted. Help me resist the temptation to be constantly pressured by time, but to relish the vast gifts of times you have given to me throughout my lifetime. Forgive me when I have been a poor steward of time. With gratitude and humility, I ask that your Spirit guide me into the life-giving use of my time as I move into the future. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen Rev. Wendy G. Van Tassell First Congregational Church Saugatuck, MI wjgvt@hotmail.com Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, 2022 Perfect Timing Please read Matthew 2:7-10 I always tell the congregation at Sandstone Congregational church that God’s timing is perfect because God is perfect. This usually comes up when talking about answers to prayer, especially when waiting for an answer to prayer which can sometimes be difficult. In the Christmas story the star represented God’s perfect timing. We know this because we are blessed to have the Book in its entirety. We have the incredible honor and privilege to know how the story begins and how it ends. God has blessed us with a beautiful story regarding the birth of His son, God emptied, appearing in human form and that appearing is proclaimed by a star in the sky. I also imagined the star is like no other. I am not one to try and define or label everything. For example, if the Israelites wanted to cross the Red Sea at its deepest point, who says that they didn’t? I know some mention tides and shallow areas but hey, God is God is He not? So, when He wants to create a star for a specific purpose, at a specific time, so be it. Thus, I imagine a star like no other. A star in the sky that says to all who see it, “It is time. My timing is perfect because I am perfect.” A perfect star in the sky, bright, shining and unlike anything anyone at that time had ever seen before. When they looked upon it, they just knew, they just knew that something was different, that everything was about to change and that the prayers of their hearts, the prayers of deliverance, were going to be answered. Heavenly Father, hear the prayers of our hearts. Hear our prayers as we wait, hear our prayers as we worship and praise. Hear our prayers as we learn time and time again that your timing is perfect because you are perfect. Rev. Justin J. Nierer Sandstone Congregational Church Jackson, MI theoutreachguy@hotmail.com Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 2022 We Join the Wise Men #152, Hymns for a Pilgrim People In eastern regions long ago A heavenly light shone bright. Some wisemen followed signal star and journeyed through the night. To meet the new Judean King those sages made their aim. They traveled many arduous miles to bless the one who came. Jerusalem was where they paused to better find their way. In prophet Micah’s book they found the place of Christ’s birthday. To David’s town they hurried on, the star again was clear. Rejoicing as they found their Lord, a baby small and dear. In Bethlehem the Magi met the Prince of Peace foretold, And laid before his majesty Myrrh, frankincense and gold. We join the wisemen in their quest as we rejoice and sing. Our praises to the royal Son and give our offering. Written to the hymn tune ‘Carol,’ CMD Rev. Jack Brown (Retired) Olivet Congregational Church Olivet, MI

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Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, 2022 Perfect Timing Please read Matthew 2:7-10 I always tell the congregation at Sandstone Congregational church that God’s timing is perfect because God is perfect. This usually comes up when talking about answers to prayer, especially when waiting for an answer to prayer which can sometimes be difficult. In the Christmas story the star represented God’s perfect timing. We know this because we are blessed to have the Book in its entirety. We have the incredible honor and privilege to know how the story begins and how it ends. God has blessed us with a beautiful story regarding the birth of His son, God emptied, appearing in human form and that appearing is proclaimed by a star in the sky. I also imagined the star is like no other. I am not one to try and define or label everything. For example, if the Israelites wanted to cross the Red Sea at its deepest point, who says that they didn’t? I know some mention tides and shallow areas but hey, God is God is He not? So, when He wants to create a star for a specific purpose, at a specific time, so be it. Thus, I imagine a star like no other. A star in the sky that says to all who see it, “It is time. My timing is perfect because I am perfect.” A perfect star in the sky, bright, shining and unlike anything anyone at that time had ever seen before. When they looked upon it, they just knew, they just knew that something was different, that everything was about to change and that the prayers of their hearts, the prayers of deliverance, were going to be answered. Heavenly Father, hear the prayers of our hearts. Hear our prayers as we wait, hear our prayers as we worship and praise. Hear our prayers as we learn time and time again that your timing is perfect because you are perfect. Rev. Justin J. Nierer Sandstone Congregational Church Jackson, MI theoutreachguy@hotmail.com Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 2022 We Join the Wise Men #152, Hymns for a Pilgrim People In eastern regions long ago A heavenly light shone bright. Some wisemen followed signal star and journeyed through the night. To meet the new Judean King those sages made their aim. They traveled many arduous miles to bless the one who came. Jerusalem was where they paused to better find their way. In prophet Micah’s book they found the place of Christ’s birthday. To David’s town they hurried on, the star again was clear. Rejoicing as they found their Lord, a baby small and dear. In Bethlehem the Magi met the Prince of Peace foretold, And laid before his majesty Myrrh, frankincense and gold. We join the wisemen in their quest as we rejoice and sing. Our praises to the royal Son and give our offering. Written to the hymn tune ‘Carol,’ CMD Rev. Jack Brown (Retired) Olivet Congregational Church Olivet, MI

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We can use your help! We are eager to receive your devotional writings to help with this sharing of our faith during the seasons of Advent and Lent. After thinking about the theme of the booklet, pray about how you can best communicate some aspect of your faith life for the benefit of other Congregationalists. Lent 2023 deadline passed, booklet in editing phase. Order yours now! For questions or clarification, contact Carol Taylor at jazzytay@gmail.com. Here are the details for upcoming devotional booklets: Advent 2023: Theme: Making Room (stories from the bible and our lives of how people have made room for Jesus in their hearts) Deadline August 15, 2023 / Send entry to nacccadvent23@gmail.com Lent 2024: Theme: Claiming Our True Identity (claiming who we are, in our deepest selves and in our lives as followers of Christ) Deadline October 15, 2023 / Send entry to naccclent24@gmail.com For some issues, we have extra submissions, which we set aside for later use. Please feel free to remind us or resubmit your writings if you don’t see them used. Rest assured, we value every submission and strive to have a diverse representation. We deeply appreciate the work of all our devotional writers! Your editors will honor the breadth of theological convictions of our membership and our congregations. Throughout our booklets, you will find a range of faith expressions; this booklet reflects the NACCC in its rich theological diversity. As you prepare to write, please frame a central thought which contributes to the theme of the booklet. Please include each of the following in your submission: Title, Scripture verse(s), bible translation used, the body of the text, a short prayer, your name, your church and its city, your email (if you do not want it published, let us know), your home or cell phone (not for publication, but to contact you if we have a question). We can use submissions of up to 350 words, with title, scripture, body, prayer, name and church included. Your editors will proofread for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and will make minimal correction for narrative flow. We want your voice to come through these devotionals! Blessings to you all, Carol, Casey, and Terry

Advent Devotional 2022

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