2009 Advent scriptures include the following:

• Week One – Luke 1:26-28
• Week Two – Matthew 1:18-25
• Week Three – Luke 1:39-56
• Week Four – Luke 2:1-19

The series began with a reflection by Dorothy Jean Weaver, professor of New Testament at the seminary.

"Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year in the Christian tradition, a beginning focused on the coming of Jesus into our world that calls for thoughtful preparation for this coming and for the second coming of Jesus," said Brian Martin Burkholder, EMU campus pastor. "In these weeks leading up to Christmas day, we invite everyone into this season of thoughtful and spiritual preparation by using the Advent reflections provided from the EMU and EMS campus community."

"Readers are invited this year to share their own personal reflections at the end of each day’s entry as well, building a sense of community among followers of Christ all over the world," Martin Burkholder added.

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Faculty, staff, students and alumni have written reflections based on the Lectionary scriptures for the 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday, Apr. 12.

“Many of us hardly know what true fasting and penitence looks like,” says Brian Martin Burkholder, EMU campus pastor, in an introductory Ash Wednesday message. “We’re pretty high on living into an Easter faith with almost daily Easter feasting! What would it mean to give ourselves to practicing a genuine Lenten journey?

Martin Burkholder notes that the scriptures selected for Lent 2009 “invite us to encounter significant God-initiated covenants and the journey of Jesus from being anointed by God through baptism to faithfully surrendering his life on the cross. How might we respond?

“I invite us to take the risk of moving toward a genuine Lenten journey this year. Let the sense of emptiness come and strive to not fill it with fluff,” Martin Burkholder states.

“Ponder the big questions of life and faith and even doubt. Embrace the depths of reflection that does not quickly resolve. We can be travel companions. Perhaps this guide will help.”

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