During Advent (the four Sundays before Christmas) and on Epiphany Sunday (Jan. 8), we will be looking at the Christmas story from the perspective of various characters within the story. Today, on the first Sunday of Advent, Pastor Linda tells the story of Isaiah, a Jewish prophet from about 700 BCE. Following several major wars, he provided hope for a peaceful future. His words are still quoted today as a promise of Jesus’s presence with us. During the service we also have a “Good Morning Morgan Hill” interview with “Isaiah”! This service also includes Holy Communion.
Our services are being held with in-person attendance at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Today’s service is provided below in its entirety in video format. Note that closed captioning is available when “CC” appears in white at the bottom of the video panel. Click the CC to see the text; as it is done with an automated service, there may be errors in transcription.
Advent Candles: We gather around the Advent wreath in anticipation of the coming of the Christ child. Let us open our hearts to this time of holy waiting. Today we light the first candle, the Candle of Hope. In our times of deepest darkness and despair, Christ came that we might have hope.
Our Scripture Reading is Isaiah 11:1-10 NRSV. Today’s reading comes from the Old Testament book of Isaiah. The first two-thirds of the book is attributed to the prophet Isaiah ben Amoz, who lived around 700BC. It was written just after two great wars in the history of Judah, and contains many promises that were sources of hope and encouragement to the Jewish community as well as Christians. Our reading includes hope of the restoration of the kingdom of David, a time of peace and connection with God. These passages are often used as a promise of the coming of Jesus.
Today’s installment of “Good Morning Morgan Hill” features an interview of “Isaiah” by our own intrepid KUMC reporter, “Katie Cupcake.” It’s brought to you by the “Chuck Foster School of Bass Guitar.”
 The message today from Pastor Linda is “Characters of Advent: Isaiah” During the message, Pastor Linda references a painting by Edward Hicks, “The Peaceable Kingdom,” which illustrates the unusual setting described in Isaiah 11:1-10. The image is used in the feature image at the top of this post and at the beginning of the video. |
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Credits and copyrights
- “Spirit Song” words and music by John Wimber. © 1979 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music). CCLI song #27824, CCLI License #2718708.
- “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” words by Charles Wesley, music by Rowland H. Prichard, harm. from The English Hymnal. Public domain. CCLI song #31999, CCLI License #2718708.
- “The King of Glory Comes” words by Rev. Willard F. Jabusch, music trad. Israeli folk song. ©1966, 1982 Jabusch, Willard F. (Admin. by The Society for the Propagation of the Faith). CCLI song #2699129, CCLI License #2718708.
- “Like a Child” words and music by Daniel Charles Damon. © 1993 Hope Publishing Company. CCLI song #1702313, CCLI License #2718708.
- “How Great Our Joy” German carol arr. by Tom Fettke. © 1979 by Pilot Point Music (ASCAP), Box 419527, Kansas City, MO 64141.
- “Alleluia” words, music by Jerry Sinclair. © 1972, 1978 Manna Music. CCLI song #16811, CCLI License #2718708.
- “Soon and Very Soon” words and music by Andraé Crouch, music adapt. by William Farley Smith. © 1971 Bud John Songs, Inc. (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing); Crouch Music Corp. (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). CCLI song #11249, CCLI License #2718708.
- All other text on this page © The United Methodist Church of Morgan Hill.