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Adapting to Improv: Luke 2:22-40

  First Sunday of Christmas/New Year's Eve When the time came for their ritual cleansing, in accordance with the Law from Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (23 It’s written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord.”) 24 They offered a sacrifice in keeping with what’s stated in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. 25 A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. 28 Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said,   29 “Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word, 30      because my eyes have

Our Stories, Our Gifts: Word and World (John 1:1-18)

  Fourth Sunday of Advent In the beginning was the Word     and the Word was with God     and the Word was God. 2 The Word was with God in the beginning. 3 Everything came into being through the Word,     and without the Word     nothing came into being. What came into being 4      through the Word was life,     and the life was the light for all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness,     and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. 6 A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. 8 He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light. 9 The true light that shines on all people     was coming into the world. 10 The light was in the world,     and the world came into being through the light,         but the world didn’t recognize the light. 11 The light came to his own people,     and his own people didn’t welcome him. 12 But those who did welcome him,

The Wide Arch of the Ranged Empire: Ephesians 1:15-23

  Christ the King Sunday I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason  16  I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers,  17  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him,  18  so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,  19  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.  20  God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,  21  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come .  22  And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head ove