Read the lessons at the Vanderbilt Library website: http://divinity.lib.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/AChristmas/aChristmas3.htm

Sermon Summary

What Scripture is the Sermon is based on?	_______________________________
What is the main point of the Sermon?	_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
Write down any figures of speech used by the preacher (Metaphors, Similes, hyperbole)	_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
Write down any new, unusual or particularly interesting words the preacher uses	_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________

Next week:Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17

(Adult Student Pew-work ... page 2)

Jeremiah 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12
Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 1:(1-9), 10-18

Focus Statement: “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

What is the “darkness” in which you walk, at times?	______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________
When has the light of God’s love and compassion, God’s understanding and wisdom, delivered you from this kind of darkness?	______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________
How is the joyful return of the Babylonian captives, a story of our own lives?	______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________
In what ways have you, and the people of your congregation, experienced exile?	______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________
In what ways might a person “live at home,” but feel as if they are in exile? Who are the members of our communities who may feel that they are in exile, in our midst?	______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________
How do you reach out to those members of our communities who may feel that they are in exile, in our midst?	______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________