For the third Sunday in Advent, Rev. Cari juggled Isaiah 35:1-10 with Mary’s song (set in narrative at Luke 1:39-55). The common thread is the reality of the “wilderness” a space of barrenness that reeks of danger and death… a space that is recognizable to us in these late days. But, says Isaiah, sings Mary, this is exactly the kind of place where God shows up.

This sermon also served to introduce the first movement in Crossroads’ process of Discernment as we emerge from pandemic-mode and into ministry and life again. Following the sermon, many congregation members accepted the invitation to stay for lunch and share a story about their experience at Crossroads.

Our Advent season continues with emphasis on the inner landscape of our own personal soul work, as well as an additional focus on where we can expect to see God arriving, into the parched and thirsty world in which we live.