"Tis the Season for Repentance - fa la la la la la la la la!" - Matthew 3:1–12

The sermon was delivered by Rev. Joann Lee on Sunday, December 7, 2025.Repentance is part of the work of preparation – and both activities have individual and collective elements. As crowds come to John for baptism, their repentance becomes a community event. Preparing the path of God also requires communities to engage in peace, love, and justice.ADVENT 2025: SOON AND VERY SOONThis Advent, we acknowledge our need for radical hope. The scriptures from this season encourage us to prepare for God's best, yet it sometimes feels like we are living in the “worst of times.” Can we hold fast to the promise that “soon and very soon” we are going to see the hope, peace, joy, and love of God manifest in our lives and int the world? Soon and very soon, friends, soon and very soon. This Advent, we wait with hope.The scripture reading was from Matthew 3:1–12.