Voice in the Wilderness – Today is the third Sunday of Advent, and the third Advent candle symbolizes joy.  The guest preacher today is the Rev. Dr. Paula Smith, and the scripture from Matthew 3 is about John the Baptist preaching cutting-edge truth and baptizing in the wilderness.  Dr. Smith asks us if we were to take John the Baptist’s challenges seriously how that would change our lives, our families, our church.  She likens John’s words to hearing a siren passing nearby that cuts through the chaos and alerts us.  John tells those around him to repent, and it isn’t a matter of laying guilt on them as much as it is bidding them to change direction.  When we hear such a voice, how do we act when there is nothing for us to gain but we are to bring joy to the joyless?  She quotes Psalm 139 and says that God’s fire is meant not to destroy us but to test our faith and make it mature.  In our work as God’s people we become the voice in the wilderness. 

(NOTE:  Emphasizing the importance of the Word, the video begins with the scripture reading, but if you want, you can scroll back to the beginning of the service in the video – the entire service is available.)