Worship Preview 11.30.25 “Active Readiness…” First Sunday of Advent. Rev. Don Flanner

Worship this Sunday: 10:30 am.  “Active Readiness…” First Sunday of Advent.  Scriptures: Psalm 122, Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44.  Rev. Don Flanner preaching.

When I was growing up on the dairy farm with my parents, 3 brothers and 4 sisters. We lived about 13 miles NE of Fort Scott and religiously attended the West Liberty Methodist Church, before 1968, when it then became the United Methodist Church. My parents, Alice and Raymond Flanner were quite active in the Church and 2 room rural grade school, across the gravel road from the Church. We rarely missed Sunday School and Worship. That was our social, educational, and spiritual center of our lives. Times were so different then, yet comfortable, as I recall. We never went hungry, and always had shelter, and I didn’t think we were poor, because most of the families and friends were nearly all in the same culture, following WW2 in the 1950’s and ’60’s. 

As Thanksgiving was celebrated and shared together, we always looked forward to Christmas, and Christmas Eve at the Church. I do not recall that the season of ADVENT was even talked about or brought up at our church. But in the early 1970’s Advent-Christmas-Epiphany (the Christmas Cycle), had become a regular part of The Christian Year for us. 

This 1st Sunday of Advent focuses on HOPE: eager, unshakable anticipation rooted in Scriptures and today in God’s promises, even in times of darkness and difficulty, as so many are now experiencing here in the USA and around the world. In the times of King David and the Israelites, the Psalms of David were songs of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem and the Lord God. There were prayers for peace within one another and peace for friends and relatives. This is the daily theme of prayers being lifted today for our country and for many who suffer and are in need of basic food and shelter, hope for their families and especially for children, who today are dying from starvation and war in many places around the world. Does it really matter to us here in Fort Scott? We know there are children in SE KS and our area who go to bed hungry and need clothing for winter or a safe home. The needs are great, such as they were in the time of Israelites in exile and after the Temple was destroyed, and at the time of Jesus’ birth, and during his walk on earth with his disciples. Where is HOPE found? There is a difference between Hope and Optimism. Hope is the deep conviction that God is faithful and at work, regardless of what we see happening around us. Advent hope acknowledges the “darkness” and lights a candle in the midst of despair, darkness, doubt, and fear. 

Hope is God at work in and through us and through all the faithful who have gone before us. Hope is active involvement through prayer, faith building, feeding the hungry, clothing those in need, standing ready to give of ourselves and trust God’s leading. Being active is standing against injustice, in whatever form. Jesus was ask when the time of the “coming of the Son of Man and the end of the age” (Matthew 24:3). He answered in a variety of ways in Matthew 24 including verse 36. “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” 

The Apostle Paul’s writing in the Epistle of Romans Ch 13, appeals to us to awake from our sleep, for the time is upon us, the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us put aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Our Hope is actively serving God. Be ready today! 

No matter where you are on your faith journey, we invite you to experience the love and presence of Christ, together with us at 10:30am each Sunday and explore your next steps! 301 S. National here in Fort Scott.  Find your path, share your journey!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Press Release for November 29, 2025

First United Methodist

Community Office Hours Monday – Pastor Christopher will again be available at Common Grounds from 2-4pm on Monday, December 1. Come by, grab a treat from the bakery, and share a time of no obligation prayer and conversation!

Wednesday, December 3^rd - Feeding Families in His Name: A free, no obligation meal is served “to-go” style from underneath our portico from 5:30-6:30pm each Wednesday, prepared each week by our members as well as several area churches and community groups. We aim to provide 400 meals per week. If you would like to support this ministry feeding our neighbors, you can make donations online at: www.firstumcfortscott.org/feedingfamiliesdonation. Thank you.

Next Weekend! Dec 5-7^th – Our 3^rd Annual Nativity Showcase – a part of Christmas on the Bricks. We will again have new displays this year and we’d love to have your favorite nativity set as part of our celebration this year. Come by to see the displays Friday evening 5-8pm, Saturday 10am – 2pm, or Sunday Noon – 3pm!  If you have a nativity you’d like to display, call the church office by Tuesday (620) 223-1950.

50/50 Bake Sale / Holiday Treats – we will be holding a Bake Sale to raise funds for our “Good Sam” ministry projects on Sunday, Dec. 21^st from 11:30 until 1pm or until sold out. We invite community bakers to help out – if you’d like to participate, contact Cindy Valdez at 620-224-8515 and she can share details.