The Rev. Kathy Shirey '12, Pastor, Community United Presbyterian Church of New Alexandria, Pa.

Scripture

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
2 for he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully.
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD,
and vindication from the God of their salvation.
6 Such is the company of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is the King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
he is the King of glory. Selah

Psalm 150

1   Praise the Lord!
     Praise God in his sanctuary;
          praise him in his mighty firmament!
2   Praise him for his mighty deeds;
          praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
3   Praise him with trumpet sound;
          praise him with lute and harp!
4   Praise him with tambourine and dance;
          praise him with strings and pipe!
5   Praise him with clanging cymbals;
          praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6   Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
     Praise the Lord!

Devotional

By today, we have all but forgotten this year’s Black Friday, Deer Widow, and Cyber Monday sales. Retailers are digging deep to find new ways to entice us to spend more than we had planned in search of just the right present for everyone on our list. If you haven’t started gathering together the items that will become brightly wrapped packages, you might be starting to feel the edge of nervous anticipation, fearing stores will be sold out of “just” what you wanted.

Gratefully, we pause in today’s morning Psalms to remember that the commercialism of Christmas and the rush which obscures our view of the patient waiting of Advent don’t win – unless we let them! Let’s take some time today, and each day, to shout praise to our Creator! Let’s put our world in God’s order, not the world’s! Praise the Lord!

Prayer

Almighty God, we rejoice that this world is yours and so are we! Help us to pause and take time to savor the waiting, allowing time to praise you! You are the King of Glory and we bring you our worship! Through Christ’s mighty name we pray. Amen!

The Rev. Kathy Shirey '12, Pastor, Community United Presbyterian Church of New Alexandria, Pa.

Scripture

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
2 for he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully.
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD,
and vindication from the God of their salvation.
6 Such is the company of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is the King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
he is the King of glory. Selah

Psalm 150

1   Praise the Lord!
     Praise God in his sanctuary;
          praise him in his mighty firmament!
2   Praise him for his mighty deeds;
          praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
3   Praise him with trumpet sound;
          praise him with lute and harp!
4   Praise him with tambourine and dance;
          praise him with strings and pipe!
5   Praise him with clanging cymbals;
          praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6   Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
     Praise the Lord!

Devotional

By today, we have all but forgotten this year’s Black Friday, Deer Widow, and Cyber Monday sales. Retailers are digging deep to find new ways to entice us to spend more than we had planned in search of just the right present for everyone on our list. If you haven’t started gathering together the items that will become brightly wrapped packages, you might be starting to feel the edge of nervous anticipation, fearing stores will be sold out of “just” what you wanted.

Gratefully, we pause in today’s morning Psalms to remember that the commercialism of Christmas and the rush which obscures our view of the patient waiting of Advent don’t win – unless we let them! Let’s take some time today, and each day, to shout praise to our Creator! Let’s put our world in God’s order, not the world’s! Praise the Lord!

Prayer

Almighty God, we rejoice that this world is yours and so are we! Help us to pause and take time to savor the waiting, allowing time to praise you! You are the King of Glory and we bring you our worship! Through Christ’s mighty name we pray. Amen!