Sunday, November 30, 2025
RENEWed by the Word
First Sunday of Advent Opening Prayer
Scripture
Come, Holy Spirit. Quiet our minds and open our hearts to your presence. Help us to slow down and awaken us to your voice as you guide us in the choices we make each day. Prepare our hearts to receive the things that will ready us for the coming of the Son of man. Prepare our minds to be enlightened by the Living Word. We make this prayer to you, Holy Spirit, who live and reign with the Father and the Son, God forever and ever. Amen.
Matthew 24:37-44 For you do not know on which day your Lord will come Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Romans 13:11-14 LINK
Reflect on the Gospel In today’s reading from Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us, “be prepared for an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” In a world that has become fully dependent on technology, there is no phone or computer or any earthly “device” that can tell us when the Son of Man will come. In fact, as we faithfully wait for the coming of Christ, technology can distract us from being prepared. Technology revs up the pace of our lives. As we quickly go from one meme or text to the next, we feed a desire to access information. Social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible, pulling us away from the natural world around us. As beneficial as technological advances are, they will never be able to provide the kind of spiritual experiences we can find in nature or in face-to-face experiences with other people. God invites us to experience a movement of the heart to go deeper—to seek more of the mystery in life—things science and technology cannot make known. These deeper, spiritual experiences require us to slow down, pause, and notice. But mystery and the unknown can be unsettling, especially in a culture that thrives on instant knowledge and the illusion that we are in control. So, when it comes to staying awake and being prepared, we need to make a choice. Staying awake to play a video game or go on social media until late into the night is not the kind of staying awake Jesus is talking about. He calls us to stay awake to the deeper spiritual experiences we all have access to, only if we slow down, pause, and take notice. Let us ask for the grace to make choices that will help us prepare for the coming of the Son of Man. RENEW International provides training, support, and resources to assist parishes in creating and sustaining small Christian Copyright © RENEW International communities. Contact us - we’re here to help!
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RENEWed by the Word
Sunday, November 30, 2025 First Sunday of Advent
Group Sharing What choices do you need to make in order to slow down, pause, and notice God’s presence in the world around you? What obstacles keep you from staying awake to the things of God? How can you foster a sense of confident anticipation of Jesus’ return without being either complacent or fearful?
Faith Into Action Make time to focus on Jesus who is always present, whether we notice or not. Commit to a spiritual practice that helps you slow down. Perhaps spend 10 minutes each day in quiet prayer or journaling as a preparation for Jesus’ coming. Practice moderation with technological devices. When circumstances place you in the company of other people, put down your phone, pause, and notice them. Give them a smile. Pray for their needs. Be gracious to them as God has been gracious to you.
Closing Prayer Leader: In the night, All: Come, Lord Jesus. Leader: In the cold, All: Come, Lord Jesus. Leader: As we wait, All: Come, Lord Jesus. Leader: As we tire, All: Come, Lord Jesus. Leader: Into our hearts, All: Come, Lord Jesus. Leader: Into our lives, All: Come, Lord Jesus. Leader: Into our world, All: Come, Lord Jesus. Leader: This Advent, we pray that we might wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. All: Amen.
Focus on being truly present to family, friends, or coworkers this week. In the next session, share with the group the difference your effort made.
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