Promise - the Fourth Sunday of Advent

This Sunday (December  18, 2011) will be the fourth Sunday of Advent.  The lectionary texts for this week include:

2 Samuel 7: 1 - 11, 16
Psalm 89: 1 - 4, 19 - 26
Romans 16: 25 - 27
and
Luke 1: 26 - 38

The theme seems to be the promise that a descendant of King David would continue to lead Israel.  What is an "everlasting throne"?  What does it mean that Jesus occupies this throne as a victim - as the slaughtered lamb instead of the royal lion?

As before- if you like these backgrounds I've created for our power-point slides, feel free to download them (One - Waiting , Two - Prepare, and Three - Rejoice-) for your own personal or church use.

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The Salvation Army of Fairmont, Minnesota - like Salvation Army units everywhere - is in the middle (or just past the middle now...) of our most crucial fund-raising season.  We need to raise $23,000 dollars in order to continue serving those in need in Martin County through 2012.  So far we have raised just under 50% of our goal.  If you haven't already given at the kettles or mailed a donation, would you consider donating - right now - via this online kettle?  Your contributions are greatly appreciated.   Thank you.

(That link goes to a kettle set up for Fairmont, MN - but you can also use it to find the Salvation Army unit nearest to you.)