Hope Enough for all of us

Rev. Harriette Cross First United Methodist Church of Wilmington December 7, 2025 Romans 15:4-23 2nd Sunday of Advent Hope Enough for all of Us Year A Prelude Greeting Lighting of the Advent Candle Call to Worship One: We’re waiting for One who is coming. Many: Why wait for someone when we don’t know how long to wait? One: We wait in anticipation, for the Coming One is filled with God’s Spirit. Many: A spirit of wisdom and understanding in a confusing world. One: A spirit of counsel and knowledge; Many: we stand on tip-toe, eager to welcome the One who is coming, ALL: for the whole earth will be brimming, knowing God as ALIVE with us. (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Opening Prayer God, your servant John the Baptist cries out to us: “Repent; turn and be restored”. Can we hear? Will we respond? Holy God, open the ears of our souls to hear your word of salvation. Holy and Peace-Inspiring God, on this second Sunday of Advent, Open wide our hearts and our minds To see, feel, hear, and know the salvation of our God. (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Amen. Song Come Thou Long Expected Jesus UMH 196 A Sermon for all Ages Children’s Sermon: “Overflowing With Hope” Supplies (optional but helpful): • A clear cup • A pitcher or bottle of water • One small LED candle or picture of a candle 1. Opening Question (Engage) Good morning, friends! Can you tell me—what season are we in at church right now? (Let them answer: Advent!) That’s right! Advent is the time when we get ready for Christmas—for the birth of Jesus! And during Advent, we talk about something very important called hope. Does anyone know what hope means? (Let a few children answer. Affirm all attempts.) Hope means trusting that something good is coming—even when we’re still waiting. 2. Candle of Hope (Hold up the candle or point to the Advent wreath.) This first Advent candle is called the Candle of Hope. It reminds us that God keeps promises, even when it takes a long time. The Bible tells us: “May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace.” That means God doesn’t just give us a little hope—God wants to fill us up with hope! 3. Object Lesson – The Overflowing Cup (Hold up the empty cup.) This cup is like our hearts sometimes. Sometimes our hearts feel: • Sad • Worried • Tired • Or even scared Now watch what happens when God gives us hope. (Slowly pour water into the cup until it overflows.) When God fills us with hope, love, joy, and peace—it doesn’t stop at the top! It overflows! And when hope overflows out of us, it helps: • Our friends • Our families • Our school • And even people we don’t know very well 4. Good News of Advent The best reason we have hope at Advent is this: Jesus is coming. God is keeping a big promise. A Savior is being born. The light is coming into the world! Responsive Reading Psalm 72 UMH 795 Prayer for Illumination “O come, thou Wisdom from on high, Who orderest all things mightily: To us the path of knowledge show; … Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” (Presbyterian Outlook, Ginna Bairby) Scripture Romans 15:4-13 Sermon Hope Enough for all of Us Our Advent study this year is called for the common good. It is a study about spiritual gifts. Everyone is welcome to join our study. This week, we are all taking our test to see what our spiritual gifts are. Spiritual gifts are listed in Paul’s writings in Romans, Corinthians and Ephesians. We also had a chance to take a spiritual gifts test in the visioning session. When I took it, I scored the highest in healing, apostleship and teaching. Apostleship is the willingness to spread the gospel in different areas. But I was surprised because I also scored high in speaking in tongues and in interpreting tongues. Speaking in tongues is popular in some churches, not the united methodist church. The united methodist spiritual gifts study always emphasizes that if God sends a message in tongues that no one understands, that if it is from God that God will also send someone who clearly understands what is being said for the rest of the congregation. Some gifts go hand in hand. But when methodist use the term speaking in tongues, it is not talking about spiritual languages, but earthly languages. The ability to understand a diverse group of people, and to be able to speak in their listening. Another person who would have scored high in this gift, is Paul. Paul was clear that he was a Jew, but he was also clear that he was called to tell lands about the gift of Jesus. Paul’s mission was to go throughout different lands and to tell them about a savior who gave then love, peace, and acceptance. After many challenges, Paul was successful. Many people wanted to know more about this Jesus. They wanted to be a part of the Lord’s table. But he found that as more and more people came, there was no place at God’s table for them. Many Jewish communities were exclusive and not open to new people. So in Romans 15, Paul explains that Christ brings a hope, and a love and a peace which overcomes our boundaries. And unites our differences. It has the power to even bring together enemies in love. A Vietnam veteran recalls an experience he had on Christmas Eve in 1972. His squad was ambushed by the enemy, everyone was killed except him. Following a struggle and with great force he was captured. “I was thinking how much I did not want to spend Christmas, let alone the remaining six months of my tour of duty, in a POW camp,” he explains. They kept traveling through the night. When they finally stopped the Vietnamese lieutenant gave him food to eat. “Merry Christmas” he said in perfect English. His captor told him it would be an honor to celebrate Christmas with him. His name was Nugent. He explained that he had been educated in Canada and that his family had been killed. “Silent Night” was Nugent’s favorite Christmas Carol. The two men began singing it together. Early the next morning shots rang out. “Bullets were flying all around,” the American soldier recalls. Nugent was shot in the chest. He held him in his arms. “Thanking me for the Christmas songfest.” He started singing “Silent Night” knowing that it was Nugent’s favorite carol. “Nugent put his bloody hand to my lips, ‘the voice of angel, I go in peace.’ Thank you were his last words. At that moment I did not see an enemy, but a friend and a brother. Here was a man who started as an enemy, showed compassion, became a friend, died as a brother.”[2] God loves and cares for all people and we should do the same. The message of Advent is to continue to break down the barriers that divide people today. As modern-day disciples of Jesus we strive for harmony and unity. Instead of seeing only the obvious differences, Paul urged the believers to celebrate their unity in Christ. The Apostle Paul writes to the Romans in a time when their world feels divided, uncertain, and anxious—sound familiar? And into that tension, he offers not criticism, not panic, but a promise: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Advent is not just about preparing for Christmas. It is about learning how to live as people who overflow with hope in a world starving for it. 1. Hope Is Learned Through the Story of God Paul begins by saying: “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope.” In other words, we learn hope by remembering what God has already done. Illustration – The Scrapbook of Faith Some families keep scrapbooks—birthdays, weddings, vacations, hard times, and good times. When someone feels discouraged, they flip through and remember: We survived that. We found joy here. We were loved then, and we are loved now. Scripture is the scrapbook of God’s faithfulness: • A slave people delivered from Egypt • A shepherd boy defeating a giant • A nation restored from exile • A Savior born in a barn Advent reminds us that hope is not wishful thinking—it is memory turned toward the future. If God has been faithful before, God will be faithful again. 3. Hope Is Meant to Be Shared in Unity Paul says: “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another… so that together you may with one voice glorify God.” Advent hope is not private. It is communal. Not “my hope,” but our hope. Paul speaks into a divided church of Jews and Gentiles and says, in essence: If Christ welcomed you, you must welcome one another. Illustration – The Choir Lesson A choir warming up sounds chaotic. Sopranos here, basses there, everyone finding their own note. But once the conductor lifts the hands and the song begins, something beautiful happens: Different voices form one sound. The church is God’s choir. • Different stories • Different struggles • Different personalities But one Savior. One hope. One mission. Advent invites us to sing together again. 4. Hope Reaches Beyond Our Boundaries Romans 15 reminds us again and again that God’s promise was always meant for the whole world: “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.” Jesus did not come only for people who already knew how to be religious. He came for: • the outsider • the doubter • the overlooked • the weary • the sinner • the seeker Illustration – The Extra Chair Picture a family setting the table for a holiday meal. Plates are set, chairs are arranged—then someone notices one more place is added. “Who’s that for?” “Oh, just in case someone needs a seat.” That is the heart of Advent. God always sets out one more chair. 5. Hope Overflows When We Trust God’s Spirit Paul ends with this powerful blessing: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Notice the movement: 1. We believe 2. God fills 3. The Spirit makes it overflow Illustration – The Overflowing Cup You can fill a glass to the brim, but only when it overflows does it refresh the table around it. Advent hope is not just enough for you—it is meant to spill over into your workplace, your family, your friendships, your community. The world doesn’t need more opinions. It needs more people who overflow with steady, Spirit-born hope. We as Chrstians are called to Multiply The Welcome that we received from Christ. Paul tells us to welcome others the way Christ welcomes us In the Christmas story,There were shepherds seated on the hillside keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord came to them and the Glory of the Lord shone around them and they were filled with fear. The angel said, "Be not afraid for today I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord." And there was with the angel a multiplication of voices singing Glory to God in the highest and peace among men with whom he is pleased. And the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go to the place and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us." And they saw there our welcoming Christ: a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And they saw all these things as it had been told them. Then the shepherds returned to their flocks praising God for the things they had heard and seen. When Christ comes, we offer to him our humble welcome, and we can welcome him because he first welcomes us. It is he who provides welcoming grace. It is he, by his lack of reserve in welcoming us who are undeserving, who sets celestial voices singing ... And it is he who welcomes us and those we would be slow to welcome. It is our welcoming Christ who comes, welcoming a child, a leper, a thief, a shepherd, a king, and welcoming you, welcoming me. For Paul, the ultimate wonder of Christ, the deepest marvel of the coming of Jesus, was not the virgin birth, or angels in the skies, but the gracious, inclusion even of Gentiles into the promises of God to Israel. The glory of God, he says in today's scripture, is that God has welcomed you! The father has welcomed home the younger prodigal. The door has been opened at midnight to the beseeching outsider. Those who have entered the vineyard at the close of the day are given How do you make strangers feel welcome, by giving them a place to feel God’s hope. This sermon is a little late – we lit the hope candle last week. This week our focus in on peace. We never know what the right order of the candles. Paul’s last words in this lesson say 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Hope, peace, love, joy they are all related. All the gifts that we are called to bring to a world lacking. Our actions of peace and love give the world hope Closing Prayer God of hope, fill us with joy and peace as we wait for your coming. Teach us patience. Unite us in love. Open our hearts to all your children. And by the power of your Spirit, make us people who overflow with hope— today, tomorrow, and until Christ comes again. Amen. Song Hail to the Lord’s Anointed UMH 203 Prayer Christ who is coming into the world, we give you thanks and praise for the goodness in our lives: For the beauty of your creation that sustains us — may we honor it. For the church that nourishes us and teaches discipleship — may we stay true to the gospel. For the leaders of the nations — may they govern with wisdom and compassion. For our own communities — may they be places of flourishing and delight, foretastes of the Peaceable Kingdom. Christ-beside-us, we pray for the places in your world where your children are suffering: For the sick in body, mind or spirit — may they know your healing hand. For those suffering under war, violence or unjust systems — may they know the comfort of your peace. For people experiencing hunger, poverty or homelessness — may they be nourished by human kindness. For those whose consciences are troubled — may they experience the transformation of repentance and taste the sweetness of grace. Christ, Love Incarnate, come to us again this Advent season, even as the pray the prayer you taught us, saying: “Our Father…”. (Presbyterian Outlook, Ginna Bairby) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Yes! Today is a day to prepare for the Coming One! Chapter 3 of Matthew’s Gospel leaps to the adult John the Baptist. When we hear this text, we may think, “What a strange duck!” (After all, he’s dressed in animal skin and forages for bugs to eat!) But John demands listeners repent (turn back!) because God’s Realm is coming near. John clearly declares we have work to do before Jesus comes, practicing ways to bear fruitworthy of repentance. This is one time for us to show with our actions what our hearts and minds have claimed. If we seek to be followers of Jesus, we help feed the hungry, care for the widow, visit the imprisoned… Our offering today provides each of us with one way to let our wallets help proclaim Good News. Have you spent money this week to prepare for gift-giving for your family and friends? Can you…will you spend an equal amount to (name one or two ways your congregation responds to hunger, imprisonment, or the needs of the poor)? How does that help YOU prepare to welcome Jesus once more? (Disciples of Christ, Center for Faith and Giving) Prayer of Thanksgiving Holy God, we so often get sidetracked from our intention to be faith-filled followers of Jesus. This time of the year makes that even more likely to happen. Please accept the gifts we’ve offered. Help us repent from our selfish ways and turn back to you. Push us to use these funds in ways that truly honor you. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Beyond these walls, the world needs peace. Go out taking with you the exquisite peace of Christ. Carry it boldly and spread it to all those you meet, knowing that God is within you, strengthening the light of the world. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Maria Mankin) Communion This is the time for Decembered mercies – a baby born (instead of the boots of the tramping warrior); a new light of peace (when all was thought to be forsaken); fresh furrows (for any who had quit their cultivation). This is the season for Decembered mercies – forgiveness for what was seen as unredeemed; the taste of fresh bread and new wine; a sprig of hope on a stump left for dead. (“December Mercies,” written by Dr. Robert Lee Hill to be published in All the Time in the World,forthcoming in February 2026. Published by Caroline Street Press.) All are welcome to share in this communion feast. May it be for ALL of us a Decembered mercy helping us become sprigs of hope on a stump left for dead. (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction As God has welcomed us in these moments, let us go to embrace each person we meet. As Jesus has been our servant of hope and grace, let us go to serve the most vulnerable around us. As the Spirit of hope has filled us, let us go to empty ourselves of joy and peace for all. © Thom M. Shuman