CreatingCommunity is an email devotion to guide your preparation for worship next weekend. Imagine how much more clear and relevant God's Word will be if you have had an opportunity read, reflect, and dwell in the Word prior to worship. You may do this devotion alone, with others, as a family, or over Zoom as a small group.

This devotion is to be done in preparation for this coming weekend's worship.

Please follow these three steps:

1. Read through the text
2. Respond to the questions (select one of the sets of questions)
3. Offer a Prayer
John 1:6-8;, 19-28

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light... ...This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said,
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ”
as the prophet Isaiah said.
Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
No Experience Necessary Questions:
  1. What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?
  2. What delights me in this text?
  3. What stories or memories does this text stir in me?
  4. What is God up to in this text?
Family Questions (for the entire family):
  1. What colors are the candles in your Advent Wreath - white, blue, pick/rose? What do the color(s) represent? If you have a pink/rose colored candle today this is the week you lit it. It is called the "Rejoice" candle. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 to find out why.
  2. This is the second time in Advent we hear about John the Baptizer. This time from John's Gospel. What do we learn about him that we didn't learn last week from Mark's Gospel?
  3. John the Baptizer says he is not the light but a witness to the light? What is a witness? Are you a witness to the light? How do you give such a witness?
Advance Questions:
  1. John the Baptist is presented as a witness to Jesus, one who directs attention away from himself to Christ, the true light. How does John do that?
  2. What is the purpose of John's Baptism? How is Jesus' baptism different that John's? What difference does the difference make in the life of those baptized? Is there any record of Jesus baptizing anyone?
  3. We make a big fuss about baptism in the Lutheran church. What would you say is the same and what is different about your baptism than John's or Jesus'? How would you explain what being baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit signifies?
Click here to listen to this week's CreatingCommunity song,
"Drive out the Darkness"
The Porter's Gate · Latifah Alattas ·
Paul Zach Lament Songs ℗ 2020 The Porter's Gate
Prayer
Jesus Christ, Light of the World, You understand what it is like to feel alone in the midst of great suffering. Remain with us as we continue to endure the coronavirus pandemic. Awaken our hearts as we bear witness to the sickness, the sacrifice, even death. In these dark months we cry, “How long, O Lord?” Help us to watch and pray for signs of your hope. When we long for a world returned to normal, inspire us to work toward a world transformed. When we feel forgotten and lonely, help us to find solidarity through your love. When we cannot see your face, help us to see you in others, especially the essential workers, first responders and medical professionals who labor tirelessly. When we feel only sorrow in our souls, help us to know that the joy of the Gospel remains as true now as ever. When we feel only grief in our hearts, help us to find consolation in knowing that those who are sick or have died are held in your loving embrace.
As we walk through this time of darkness, give us faith that we are headed toward brighter days. Give light to our eyes. Let us show that light to one another. Even in winter, when the ground appears barren, it is warmed by the light of your creation; seeds are nourished and green shoots are pushing up toward the sun. Jesus Christ, be our light. Amen.

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