“Courageous Living in the Light”
A Service of Word & Feast for the 1st Sunday of Advent
November 30, 2025: IN-PERSON and ONLINE at 10:30 a.m.
Youngsun Cheon, associate minister, preaching
Matthew 24:36-44 and Romans 13:11-14
This week, we begin a new journey through the annual cycle of the Christian church in its worship life. The cycle begins with the season of Advent... a season during which we prepare for the coming of Christ. Our focus during Advent takes us beyond simply the birth—and even beyond the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—to a new moment of expectancy as the "day of the Lord" approaches and we look for the coming again of Christ. In other words, in Advent we orient ourselves toward the coming of Christ in history, mystery, and majesty: the baby of Bethlehem (history), the glimpses of Christ's presence in our midst now (mystery), and the coming again of Christ in glory at the end of all times (majesty).
On this First Sunday of Advent, we begin with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In the scripture readings we’ll hear, both Jesus and the early Christian apostle Paul challenge us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord’s coming. Our time is filled with promise: salvation is near! Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day, we wait for what we already have: Christ comes among us this day as the Word and the Feast, strengthening our faith in the promises of God.