Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21, 2025

Theme: Ready to embark

 

Collect:

Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, Your grace into our hearts,

That we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son, was made known by the message of an Angel,

May by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection,

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

Readings and Constitutions:

1. Isaiah 7:10-14 (Behold, the virgin shall conceive)
2. Romans 1:1-7 (Jesus Christ, descendant from David, is the Son of God)
3. Matthew 1:18-24 (Jesus will be born of Mary, the betrothed of Joseph, a son of David)
4. Constitutions article #2 Congregational Spirit

 

Reflective Questions:

1. Reflecting on the words of Romans 5, 1-5(The Lives and Hope of the Righteous) and the following words of Bishop Ketteler…

"The conviction that God has led me to you, and the truth that He often chooses weak people to manifest His power through them." – Bishop Ketteler

• On what do you place your hope as you begin this adventure?
• What hinders us from embarking on this adventure?

1. Constitutional Article 2

• “How does striving to do God’s will, serving in such spirit, and carrying out the mission of witnessing God’s providence resonate with me?”

 

Closing Prayer: Congregational Chapter 2026 Prayer:

Provident God, give us a sense of your Presence on our Holy Adventure together.

Strengthen our trust in your providential love and care

as we explore new paths for the future before us.

Open us to see possibilities, give us the courage to embrace them,

and to enter into this Congregational Chapter

ready to embark on a Holy Adventure with You.  Amen

Sr. Barbara McMullen