the christian calendar on Hope

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Scripture

Genesis 16:1-16 , Psalm 130:5

Pastor: I wait for the Lord, People: and in His word I put my hope. Pastor: Now may the God who calls you “friend,” the Lord Almighty, bless you and direct your days and your deeds...

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Lord of Hope and God of all that’s new—Father

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Romans 12:12, Colossians 3:14, 1 Peter 3:8, Ephesians 4:2-3, Psalm 136:1

Lord of Hope and God of all that’s new—Father, Son and Holy Spirit: We’re filled with wonder, gratitude, and joy inspired by the gifts of new life You freely give us. There’s the joy and wonder of eve...

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In this season of Advent, may you go forth

Author

Austin D. Hill

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Scripture

Revelation 21:5

In this season of Advent, may you go forth as a person of hope. May your waiting be active, that you might discover the presence of the God who is making all things new. And may the love of God, the ...

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Adapted from Psalm 130 (ESV)

Author

Dustin Ray

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Scripture

Psalm 130:null

Pastor: Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! All: If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could s...

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A Light in the Darkness

Author

Caroline Cobb

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Scripture

John 1:1-13

“They will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction, and they will be driven into thick darkness.” (Isa. 8:22) In The Two Towers , the second novel in Tolki...

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There’s no night so dark the light of

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

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There’s no night so dark the light of Christ cannot penetrate to dispel it. There’s no pit so deep the Lord cannot descend all the way to lift us out of it. There’s no obstacle so high that Jesus is n...

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Trinity Sunday: Faith and Praise

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Acts 2:1-4 , Psalm 113:3, Psalm 25:4-5, Lamentations 3:22-24, Psalm 16:11

Pastor: From the rising of the sun to its setting, People: The name of the Lord is to be praised. Pastor: Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. People: for you are ...

liturgy

Standing Together: Pardon

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John 17:21-23, Exodus 14:13-22, Lamentations 3:22-23, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 13:13, 2 Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 4:15-16

Nothing can stand against You Nothing No sin, no death No prejudice, no division Nothing can stand against our God You’re making us whole and holy in your mercy and grace Standing together in truth an...

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Christ, Too, Experienced Death

Author

Matthew Y. Emerson

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Scripture

John 11:25-26, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, Romans 6:4, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 2 Corinthians 4:14

What, as Christians, can we say to those who face death, either their own or that of their loved ones? We certainly can give them the hope of Christ’s resurrection, if they or their loved one has trus...

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Leader: God of HOPE, Your message calls us to let go of our fears

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Scripture

Luke 2:1-20, John 1:1-14, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 11:1-10

Leader : God of HOPE, Your message calls us to let go of our fears and place our trust in You. Sustain us in Your hope as we await Your coming. We ask for hearts to worship You fully, not only i...

Quote

Author

N. T. Wright

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Easter

Easter was when Hope in person surprised the whole world by coming forward from the future into the present.

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Anticipation Lifts the Heart

Author

Luci Shaw

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Anticipation lifts the heart. Desire is created to be fulfilled – perhaps not all at once, more likely in slow stages. Isaiah uttered his prophetic words about the renewal of the natural Creation into...

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The Passage from Despair to Hope

Author

Paul E. Hoffman

Keywords

Easter

Scripture

Luke 24:1-12, Mark 16:1-8, Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:1-18

The Greek word for Easter, pascha, means “passage.” It evokes so many different passages for us: the Israelites’ passage from slavery to freedom, our own passage from sin to forgiveness, Jesus’ passag...

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Advent Wreath Prayers: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love

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Advent

Scripture

Psalm 33:null, Psalm 4:null, Psalm 28:null, Psalm 36:null

Updated for Advent 2025 For those looking for an Advent wreath reading, these readings by TPW contributor Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia are a great place to start. Focused on the four themes of Advent, a...

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Advent Wreath Lighting

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Advent

Scripture

Jeremiah 31:3, Zephaniah 3:17

Note: Use this prayer throughout Advent to create consistency across the weeks, replacing the theme (Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love), depending on the week. Reader: In this season of longing and anticip...

Quote

Author

Walter Brueggemann

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Advent

In our secret yearnings we wait for your coming, and in our grinding despair we doubt that you will. And in this privileged place we are surrounded by witnesses who yearn more than do we and by those ...

Quote

Author

Robert Brault

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Good Friday, and again we are reminded to never lose hope — or at least give it the weekend.

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As we continue the season of Advent

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Advent

Scripture

Isaiah 9:2, John 1:1-14, Luke 2:1-11, John 14:27

Leader: As we continue the season of Advent, we celebrate that Jesus has come, and that He promises to come again! Jesus came to bring light and hope, People: but our hearts are often shrouded by d...

liturgy

In this season of Advent, we celebrate

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Scripture

Psalm 103:17, Zephaniah 3:14-17, 20

Pastor: In this season of Advent, we celebrate that Jesus has come, and that He promises to come again! When He comes, He will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the ...

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A New Experience of Advent: Thoughts from the Founder's Desk

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords

Advent

Scripture

Romans 8:28, Philippians 1:6

As I was trying to think of something to write for this weekly email, I began to wonder if living in this season of life actually prepares us to better experience the Advent season. We live in a time...

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Advent Candle Readings based on Zechariah's Prayer

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Advent

Scripture

Luke 1:68-79

First Sunday in Advent: Hope ONE Blessed are you, O Lord our God In Christ, you visit us and redeem us In Christ, you raise up a mighty savior for us In Christ, you deliver us from all that seeks ...

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Leader: Come, let us be about our

Author

Ruth C. Duck

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Leader: Come, let us be about our preparations for a new advent of love among us. people: The wastelands of life around us cannot shut out the promise of life-giving water. leader: Hatred and warf...

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Loving and faithful God, as we begin

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Advent

Loving and faithful God, as we begin the season of Advent, we celebrate that Jesus has come, and that He promises to come again! Jesus came to bring light and hope, but our hearts are often shrouded b...

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Gracious and faithful God–our Creator,

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Scripture

Psalm 25:4-5, Matthew 1:23, James 5:14-15, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Luke 2:10-11, Isaiah 9:6, Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 25:35-36, Proverbs 21:1, Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew 28:19-20, John 14:13, Luke 2:1-20, Mark 5:25-34, John 11:17-44

Gracious and faithful God–our Creator, Redeemer and Comforter: When we don’t know the way–You show us the way; and when we can’t find a way–You make a way. Thank you! Thank you for Your gift of a Sav...

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God of Truth and Grace—Father, Son and

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Palm Sunday

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

God of Truth and Grace—Father, Son and Holy Spirit: You are our strong Savior and humble King who comes not to intimidate but to love. Today we sing our Hosannas and wave our Palms. But tomorrow is Mo...

blog

An Order of Worship for a Blue Christmas Service (aka a Longest Night Service)

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Scripture

Isaiah 11:1-5, Psalm 86:1, Psalm 22:1-2, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 65:5

A Blue Christmas Service is offered especially for those hurting during the holidays. It’s often offered December 21, the longest night of the year. Some come because they are mourning the death of...

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Advent: Let in the Light

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Scripture

Psalm 84:11-12, John 3:16-21, John 12:46, John 8:12, 1 Peter 2:9-11

This worship resource provides readings and prayers for lighting Advent candles over the course of Advent during your Sunday services, emphasizing the classic Advent candle symbols of hope, love, joy,...

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Father: Thank You for always being

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Scripture

Psalm 34:14, Luke 15:20, Hebrews 4:14, Romans 6:4, Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 25:4-5, Matthew 11:28-30, Isaiah 41:10, John 14:13, James 1:5, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Habakkuk 3:2, Isaiah 6:8, Matthew 28:19-20

Father: Thank You for always being ready to welcome us and listen to us. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Savior: born like us, experiencing all that we experience yet sinless, who d...

Quote

Author

James I. Packer

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Christmas

Scripture

Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-7, John 1:14, Luke 2:10-11, Philippians 2:5-8, John 10:14-18, Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 15:33-39, 1 Peter 1:3-4

The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity--hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory--because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable s...

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Prayer to Begin Holy Week

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