Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11; Psalm 85: 9-14; 2Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1: 1-8)

he shows
generous patience
in his time
a thousand years
as one day
while the way
is prepared
for a
a new heaven
a new earth
that will be shown
by the one
who sees
as God
through love

kindness and truth
shall meet
justice and peace
shall kiss
and comfort
shall come
to a people
baptized in Spirit
knowing their salvation
as Truth springs
from the earth
no more shall we withdraw
from this new life given
we shall call
upon his name.

How do you wait for his coming?
Do you see as God sees through love?

Isaiah 30:19-21; 23-26; Psalm 147; Matthew 9: 35-10:1

hearing
your cry
he will answer
your hunger
your thirst
no longer hidden
his voice
is heard
“this is the way
walk in it”
the wounds
of the broken-hearted
healed
the earth
flourishing
as waters flow
we follow
healing
as we have been healed
giving
without cost
what we have been given
freely

Have your cries been heard?
What have you received?
What do you give?

Isaiah 29: 17-24; Psalm 27: 1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9: 27-31

touching
their eyes
the blind
shall see
and find
their joy
in the Lord
those who err
shall understand
those who find fault
will be instructed
the children
will realize
who they are
gazing
on his loveliness
we find
our home
and dwell in his house
all our days
our light
our salvation
has come

Where is your faith?
Has he opened your eyes?
Do you experience his light?
Do you dwell in the joy of the Lord?

Isaiah 26: 1-6; Psalm 118: 1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27; Mt 7: 21, 24-27

 listen

act

hear His words

of justice

which are

God’s love

of all

open the gates

of your heart

let in

His peace

trust

in His goodness

and mercy

and give thanks

for a savior

come

build your house

on His foundation

and no storm

shall prevail

Who do you trust?

 Is your heart open to His word?

Do you build your life on His foundation?

Where do you go in the storm?

Isaiah 25: 6-10; Psalm 23: 1-6; Matthew 15: 29-37

a banquet

before us

our spirit

restored

we see

the love

of the Lord

and feel

His saving power

there is nothing more

we shall want

His goodness

and kindness

pursue us

and feed us

the blind see

the lame walk

the deaf hear

death is destroyed

every tear

 wiped away

we rejoice

and praise

as we put our hope

in Him

Do you experience God’s love?

Do you experience his saving power?

Do you rejoice?

Readings Isaiah 11: 1-10; Psalm 7: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Luke 10: 21-24

spirit resting

upon us

a child

to guide us

we see

we hear

what prophets

longed for

his love for all

a justice

that flourishes

into a time

of peace

spirit of wisdom

and understanding

spirit of counsel

and strength

we are in awe

as wolf and lamb

lion and calf

lie together

and no ruin comes

the cries

of the poor

are heard

as a shoot sprouts

from the stump of Jesse

a bud

a blossom

we rejoice!

 Do you see?

Do you hear?

 Do you rejoice?

Readings:  Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122: 1-9; Mt 8: 5-11

instructed

in His ways

walking

 His path

we beat our swords

into plowshares

our spears

into pruning hooks

we walk

 in His light

no longer

training for war

no longer

raising our sword

we go rejoicing

to the house

of the lord

a house

of peace

feeling unworthy

He brings

worthiness

and healing

by our faith

in His word

Do you walk in His light?

Have you put down your sword?

Do you have faith in His word?

Do you have peace in your Heart?

Readings: Isaiah 63: 16-19, 64: 2-7; Ps. 80: 2-3, 15-19; 1 Cor 3-9; Mark: 33-37

stay awake

be prepared

for the one

we have longed for

is coming

He shall turn

His face to us

and we

shall be clay

in His potter’s hands

no longer

wanderers

with hardened hearts

we shall hear

what no ear

has ever heard

see what no eye

has ever seen

He will

strengthen us

and give us new life

so that we will

no longer be carried

on the winds of guilt

but always

mindful

of His ways

we will watch

we will be awake

for his coming

Are you awake?

Are you on guard?

Are you prepared for his coming

Readings: Ezekiel 34: 11-17; Psalm 23; 1-6; Corinthians 15: 20-28; Matt: 25: 31-46

scattered sheep

we are lost

hungry

thirsting

naked

ill

in need

of a shepherd

a guide

crushed in our

loneliness

our tangled webs

we are found

by his gentle hands

refreshed

overflowing

we face

the enemy

in our self

and

are raised

to life

we feed

we clothe

we care

we tend

as we

were

cared for

spreading

and nurturing

the kingdom

of love

Do you see your need?

Do you see the needs of others?

Do you care for these needs as you have been cared for?

Readings: Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Psalm 128; 1 Thess 5:1-6; Mt 25: 14-30

people

of light

we turn

from darkness

awake

to God’s

power

in

our life

the work

of our hands

his love

reaching out

to the poor

the needy

we give

generously

not hiding

our gifts

but

sharing

with joy

Are you awake?

Do you live in the light?

Do you share your gifts generously?