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Home / Seasons / Advent / “Sleepers, Wake!”

“Sleepers, Wake!”

November 29, 2016 by Westminster Presbyterian Church

No one has ever described me as a “morning person”—just ask Heather.  For being a high energy kind of guy, it may come as a surprise to you to learn that I start my mornings slow: wiping the sleep from my eyes, putting on an old sweatshirt, wondering where I put my glasses the night before, and starting the kettle for my morning cup of coffee.  My mornings also include stretching out and glancing at my NPR news app.  At the break of dawn, it takes me awhile to find my bearings.  A few years back, Heather and I attended a conference in Maine where we were invited every morning to begin our day by sitting in silence for 15-20 minutes.  Leaders lit a candle, read to us a brief prayer or poem and then, with the sound of a bell, we sat quietly, breathing in and out and placing our day in God’s hands.

Here in Charlottesville, Heather and I have begun this spiritual practice. It doesn’t take a class or a special curriculum.  Trust me.  Starting off your day grounded and calm in mind and spirit changes the way you interact with others and how others interact with you.

After my silent meditation and a second cup of coffee, I start to feel ready—in soul, mind, and body.  I’m ready to face the coming day.  And when I pull into Westminster Presbyterian Church and I get out of my car, I say one more prayer:  “O Lord, let me rise to the challenges of this day.”  My day begins.

                Many of us have our morning rituals and routines.  We have our own unique way of summoning up the right attitude so we can be more fully engaged in our everyday relationships.  Indeed, we all need some time to wake up.   One of our Advent hymns (#17) begins this way: “Sleepers awake!” A voice astounds us . . . .”  For me,  Johann Sebastian Bach’s classic tune calls us to wakefulness.  Like many of our Advent hymns, we sing of the joyous news of preparing for Christ’s coming.  “Awake, Jerusalem, arise!” this hymn calls and beckons.  In essence, the hymn cries out, “Wake Up!  Wipe the sleep from your eyes! Put on an old sweatshirt! Stretch out! Meditate in the light of Christ. Get ready!”

“For unto us a child is born, a son is given and authority will rest upon his shoulders; and he will be named, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is. 9:6)

So, sleepers, wake! For Advent is here!

Rev. Ken

 

 

Filed Under: Advent, Notes from Ken, Seasons

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Discerning Our Call to Reparative Justice

March 15, 2023 By Westminster Presbyterian Church

For those who were unable to participate in the “Discerning Our Call to Reparative Justice” conversations in March, materials that were shared can be accessed at the following links. We hope to make the Reparative Justice Working Group updates available on a regular basis, and invite all members to study, learn, and discuss this opportunity […]

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“So faith, hope, and love abide, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.”
−1 Corinthians 13:13

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Sustained by grace, we are called to serve Christ, share God’s love, and work for justice in a complex world.

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Westminster follows the Presbyterian Book of Confession and is a confessional church. You can view/read the Book of Confession at the PC(USA) website by clicking on the following link: https://www.pcusa.org/resource/book-confessions/.

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