Prepare the Way of Hope through Service │ Jessica Gauthier │ November 30, 2025

Advent prepares us to welcome God-with-us. Radical Welcome sets the table and lets go of what no longer serves to make space for new possibilities. Depending on how we understand it, service can be an act of worship drenched with hope and gratitude. Today, on this first Sunday in Advent, we hold the theme of hope as we listen to an apocalyptic text. Today, pastoral minister Jessica Gauthier invites us to consider how we serve, and how we hope–even at the world’s end.The scripture reading for this sermon was Matthew 24:3, 36-44:One time, when Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his followers came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?”[Jesus first warned of how many are deceived in times of suffering, persecution, war, natural disaster, imprisonment, betrayal and mistrust. He spoke of the end of the world as a place where the love of many would grow cold. Then he said:]“But nobody knows when that day or hour will come, not the heavenly angels and not the Son. Only the Father knows. As it was in the time of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Human One. In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. They didn’t know what was happening until the flood came and swept them all away. The coming of the Human One will be like that. At that time there will be two men in the field. One will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill. One will be taken and the other left. So, stay alert and awake, because you don’t know what day the Lord is coming. But understand: The head of the house who knew at what time the thief would come, would have stayed awake, and would not allow a thief to break in.In the same way, you must also be prepared, because the Truly Human One will come at an hour you do not expect. ▶️ You can connect with Cedar Park United here: ❤️ Find out more about this community: https://cedarparkunited.org/🧡 Make a donation: https://cedarparkunited.org/donate💛 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedar_park_united💚 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedarparkunitedchurch/💙 Subscribe to Sunday Soul Food: https://cedarparkunited.org/media-hub