A sermon by Rev. Mitchell Hay and Rev. Barbara Lemmel.

Hebrew Scripture - Isaiah 64 selections
Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down!
How the mountains would quake in your presence!
As fire causes wood to burn and water to boil,
your coming would make the world tremble.
For since the world began, no ear has heard
and no eye has seen a God like you,
who works for those who wait!
You welcome those who gladly do mercy and justice,
who follow your ways.
Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall,
and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

And yet, O Lord, you are our Parent.
We are the clay, and you are the potter.
We all are formed by your hand.

Gospel - Mark 13:24-37

But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Then they will see The Promised One coming in clouds with great
power and glory, sending out the angels, and gathering the chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know the Promised One is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Begotten One, but only Abba God. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like people going on a journey, when they leave home and put their workers in charge, each with a certain task, and those who watch the front gate ordered to stay on the alert.