Advent 4- Come Follow Me

November 30, 

The Feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle

Read John 1:35 – 42 and Genesis 22:1 - 19

Andrew, faithful Israelite, was waiting for the promised Messiah. He, like Abraham, trusted that The Lord would provide a sacrificial lamb. He heard the call to repentance issued by John the Baptizer and sought out the ‘Lamb of God.’ We have also heard the promise of the Messiah and have seen, with the eyes of faith, the ‘Lamb of God.’ Andrew’s next action was to bring his brother, Simon, to the Savior. We also have brothers, sisters, families, and neighbors to bring to the Savior.

The hymn ‘Come Follow Me’ extends the invitation to follow Jesus to us, to our families, and all on earth.

“Come, follow Me,” the Savior spake, “All in My way abiding; 

Deny yourselves, the world forsake, Obey My call and guiding.

O bear the cross, what e’er betide, Take My example for your guide.

“I am the light, I light the way, A godly life displaying;

I bid you walk as in the day, I keep your feet from straying.

I am the way, and well I show How you must sojourn here below,

“My heart abounds in lowliness, My soul with love is glowing;

And gracious words My lips express, With meekness over flowing.

My heart, My mind, My strength, My all, To God I yield, on Him I call.

“I teach you how to shun and flee What harms your soul’s salvation,

Your heart from ev’ry guile to free, From sin and its temptation.

I am the refuge of the soul And lead you to your heav’nly goal.”

Then let us follow Christ, our Lord, And take the cross appointed

And firmly clinging to His word, In suff’ring be undaunted.

For those who bear the battle’s strain The crown of heav’nly life obtain.

For the Family:

The symbol for today is the shield of St. Andrew, a white chi (the Greek letter for the first letter in the name of Christ) placed on a shield of royal blue. Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and give thanks for the promise fulfilled, the Lamb of God given for you.

Follow Me- Advent Bible Journaling
 John 1:35-42

Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

The Cross of St. Andrew is the center piece of the national flag of Scotland. For that reason, and also because I really like short bread cookies, I picked the following recipe for this day. I should confess that I have never made them. I first had these a month ago at a church supper (Trinity Lutheran Church, Richmond, VA) and I liked them so much I ate 2 and begged for the recipe.

Scotch Short Bread Cookies

3 cups flour ½ lb butter ½ cup sugar 1/4 tsp salt

• Pre heat oven to 350
• Combine dry ingredients in large bowl
• Cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture is like coarse crumbs
• Press into ungreased METAL baking pan (8 or 9” square) use fairly firm pressure but do not make mixture too solid
• Bake at 350 until top is lightly brown about 35 – 40 minutes
• Remove from oven and let rest 5 – 10 minutes; then cut into squares (must be done while still soft)
• When cool, remove from pan and serve or wrap gently. 20 servings.

Here is a gluten free shortbread cookie recipe that I have made and really like a lot. My daughter, who is gluten free, also likes them. If you’ve never baked with almond flour you should be prepared for sticker shock. Expect to pay about $9 for a 1 pound bag.

Gluten Free ALMOND FLOUR SHORTBREAD COOKIES

1 cup almond flour  

3 TBS softened butter

3 TBS powdered sugar

1/8 tsp salt

½ tsp vanilla

• Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
• Mix all ingredients in a small bowl until a cohesive dough forms
• Scoop 1” balls of dough onto baking sheet. Arrange balls about 2” apart
• Use a fork to flatten each cookie to about ¼” thick in cross hatch pattern
• Bake for 8 – 10 minutes until they start to turn light golden brown on top
• Remove cookies from oven and cool them on pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to rack to cool completely before serving. Yield 15 cookies

For thumbprint cookies use your thumb to press an indentation into the center of each ball and fill the hole with about ¼ tsp jam. 

For maple pecan shortbread cookies add 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 tsp maple syrup, and 1/3 cup chopped pecans to the dough. Shape dough into a log, chill, slice, and bake.

Tree of Promise Devotions
Natalie Grace Hartwig

Advent 3- Victory Shield

November 29

Read Genesis 15:1, Psalm 7:10, and Matthew 6:13, 

God declares himself to be the shield of Abraham and also our shield. This is given as a statement of fact, an indisputable promise, and a sure gift which is extended to each believer. With confidence we sing with David that God is our mighty fortress, our rock, our sure defense against the powers of sin, death, and the very devil. Pray The Lord’s Prayer remembering Luther’s words concerning the sixth petition. “God indeed tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and obtain the victory.” Luther’s hymn, ‘A Mighty Fortress’ sings itself in our hearts and minds.

A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon; 

He helps us free from ev’ry need That hath us now o’er taken. 

The old evil foe Now means deadly woe, Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;

On earth is not his equal.

With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected;

But for us fights the valiant One, Whom God Himself elected.

Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is, Of Sabaoth Lord, And there’s none other God;

He holds the field forever.

Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us,

We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not over pow’r us. 

This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done;

One little word can fell him.

The Word they still shall let remain Nor any thanks have for it;

He’s by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and Spirit.

And take they our life, Goods, fame, child, and wife, Though these all be gone, Our vict’ry has been won;

The Kingdom ours remaineth.

Family Activity:

The symbol for this promise is a shield of gold holding a cross of red. If you like, you can paste your own picture on the back of the shield to remind you that God is your very own shield and you are safe. If you choose to do this, be sure and make a shield for everyone in the family. Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise

and thank God for being your shield.

Bible Journaling:

 Victory Shield -
Advent Bible Journaling-
Psalm 7:10
Connie Denninger

 From the Kitchen:

Lebkuchen (traditional German gingerbread with candied fruit) would be the appropriate cookie for crunching after singing “A Mighty Fortress”, but I don’t like candied fruit and my mother never made these cookies. My father loved them and was usually gifted with them by either one of his students or by his sister. If you have a good recipe and like them, today is the day to make them. 
If not, here are a nice molasses cookie that contains ginger.

Molasses Crinkles

¾ C shortening 1 C packed brown sugar 1 egg

¼ C molasses 2 ¼ C sifted flour 2 tsp soda

¼ tsp cinnamon 1 tsp ginger raw sugar 

• Cream shortening and brown sugar, add egg and molasses and mix thoroughly
• Sift dry ingredients together, stir into creamed mixture.
• Chill dough
• Roll into balls the size of large walnuts. Dip tops into raw sugar
• Place, sugared side up, 3” apart on greased baking sheet
• Sprinkle each cookie with 2 or 3 drops of water
• Bake at 375 for 10 – 12 minutes until just set, but not hard. Yields 4 dozen.

Dipping your finger in water and touching the top of each cookie
 3 times to produce a crackled effect is fun. 

I like to serve these cookies with mulled cider to drink 
and either whipping cream for a dip or yogurt cheese as a dip.

Tree of Promise Devotions

Natalie Grace Hartwig

Advent 2- Covenant Promise

November 28
Read Genesis 8:13 – 22 and 9:8 – 17

God’s promise, published in the rainbow, still gives us each pause whenever we see a rainbow. We stop, marvel at its beauty, point it out to others, and think of that ‘pot of gold.’ God promised never again to destroy the whole earth by flood because of the sinfulness of human kind. We did nothing to deserve this promise, and, as a species have done much to deserve annihilation.  Our God is a gracious god, a faithful god, and a mighty god. His promises are sure. The ‘pot of gold’ is salvation.

A new hymn, ‘Waters of Grace’, presents a meditation on the rainbow. The tune ‘Dunstan’ can be found in TLH, 390; LW, 356; LSB, 356. To sing, modify Dunstan by changing the half note in the 3^rd measure into 2 quarter notes.

Look to the sun, thru’ waters of grace,

See the Lord’s pledge to the whole race,

In vivid hues for me, for you,

His Word, His Peace is true.

Look to the Son, thru’ waters of grace,

Salvation’s paid for the whole race.

Life is renewed, for me, for you.

His Word, His Peace is true.

God looks at you thru’ waters of grace

And then prepares a heav’nly place

For Christ’s own blood has ransomed you.

His word, His Peace is true.

Look to the world thru’ waters of grace

Your neighbor see in ev’ry face

Let God’s love shine to all thru’ you,

His Word, His Peace is true.

For the Family:

The symbol for this promise arches a rainbow over a cross and manger, reminding us that God’s promise of grace is good and his peace is true. On a rectangle, place a simple drawing of a manger in the lower right hand corner. Place a cross in the center of the rectangle. Arch a rainbow from the lower left hand corner, up and over the cross, and down to the right hand margin, just above the manger. Hang this ornament on your Tree of Promise and give thanks to God for grace both promised and given. 

If you have young children let them see how sunlight thru a prism or crystal makes a rainbow. They might like to color rainbows and hang them on the tree.

These cookies are not colored like rainbows, but they are rainbow shaped. I think they are wonderful. They taste a lot like Mexican Wedding Cookies. You could also make them with pecans.

Covenant Promise- 

Genesis 9:8-17

Bible Journaling

Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

Almond Crescents

Dora Pfitzer Meyermann- Mother of Natalie Hartwig

1 C butter 2 tsp Vanilla

¼ C conf. sugar 1 TBS water

1 C ground almonds 2 C flour

• Mix ingredients and shape into crescents.
• Bake at 300 for 20 minutes

Dust with confectioner’s sugar while warm.

These cookies were part of my mom’s annual “must make” list. Although the recipe looks easy, in the days before you could easily buy blanched almonds they were a lot of work. The almonds had to be shelled and then slipped. To slip almonds you par boiled them and then, while they were still pretty hot to handle, you slipped the brown skin off of the nut. Then the almonds had to cool before you ground them. No one liked that part of the work. 

The powdered sugar that coated the cookies also made it hard to sneak a cookie. They inevitably left a tell tale trail of crumbs on your hands and shirt. Further, mom always put them in the hardest of her cookie tins to open. 

 Tree of Promise Devotions

Natalie Grace Hartwig

The full Advent Devotions for Tree of Promise

 and symbol pages (Natalie- Symbols)

 are in the Files section

 of the DC Metro Visual Faith group.

 Find them here:

FILES- DC Metro Visual Faith Community

Advent 1- Alpha and Omega

November 27

Read Genesis 1:1, John 1:1, Revelation 1:8,

 and Matthew 28:18 - 20

Advent, the time for study, reflection, and preparation for the coming of the Christ, begins with God. God is, for us, both the beginning and the end, the sum of everything, our sure hope for eternity, and our ever present help in time of trouble. The God who made us promises always to be with us. We use the time of Advent to study the promises that God has made.  We begin with the promise to be with us always. 

The ancient hymn, ‘Of the Father’s Love Begotten’, sings God’s praise, reminding us of prophesies and fulfillment to be sung by the saints on earth and those in glory.

Of the Father’s love begotten Ere the worlds began to be,

He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,

Of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see, Evermore and evermore.

Oh, that birth forever blessed, When the virgin, full of grace,

By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bore the Savior of our race,

And the babe, the world’s redeemer, First revealed His sacred face, Evermore and evermore.

This is He whom seers in old time Chanted of with one accord,

Whom the voices of the prophets Promised in their faithful word.

Now He shines, the long expected; Let creation praise its Lord Evermore and evermore.

O ye heights of heav’n adore Him; Angel hosts, His praises sing.

Pow’rs, dominions, bow before Him and extol our God and King.

Let no tongue on earth be silent, Ev’ry voice in concert ring Evermore and evermore.

Christ, to Thee, with God the Father, And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee

Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving And unending praises be,

Honor, glory, and dominion, And eternal victory Evermore and evermore.

The symbols for this eternal, ever present, ever comforting God are combined in the alpha and omega surrounded with a circle. You can find the alpha and omega symbol in several different configurations online. Hang this symbol on your tree of promise and give thanks for God’s eternal presence.

Alpha and Omega-Advent Bible Journaling -
Connie Denninger

Maybe you would like to join in with this 

Visual Faith project for Advent?

Advent 1-Devotions- Tree of Promise by
Natalie Grace Hartwig

Advent Journey- The Tree of Promise

A bit of the story of the Tree of Promise Advent Resource:

1. What prompted you to create this Advent Resource?
The Tree of Promise devotions encourage the reader to focus on the promises God made, kept, and keeps. My sister’s death in December of 2000 and my husband’s death the following January surrounded Christmas. As my daughter and I packed away the 30+ trees that filled our home we reminded ourselves that the trees, especially the Chrismon tree, were a constant reminder that the cross of Calvary had become the New Testament tree of life and that the approach to life and God was no longer barred by angels bearing flaming swords. 

Later Pastor Hinlicky asked me to write a series of Advent devotions for the congregation. I tried, but the pressures of work and grief interfered and the project was left incomplete. This summer the visual faith projects and my 70^th birthday reminded me of the task. I picked it up and combined the original plan of using hymns and scripture with ornaments inspired by the visual faith projects. A Christmas tree can be an Advent calendar. 

2.  What were some of the challenges in putting these resources together?

Twelve years of Lutheran education and a life time of mid-week Advent services have burned the hymns of the season into my heart and memory. However, not all of the hymns I selected are in public domain. Since getting copy right permission for all the hymns was a formidable task, I decided to include only the text of those hymns that are in public domain. References to the various Lutheran hymn books where other hymns could be found are provided for readers who want to use other hymns.

3.  How has this practice of the devotions with the created visuals enhanced your Advent worship?

Adding ornaments challenged me and I wanted to make them as simple as possible so that even children could make them. Perhaps I will work on counted cross stitch ornaments for another year. Converting the basic designs to cross stitch is not difficult. I think it would be most effective if each family could personalize their ornament selections or designs with their own family stories and memories.

Tree of Promise

Daily Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Devotions for the Christian Home

My earliest memories of Christmas always begin with Advent, are centered around hymns and readings, and include art. As an adult I developed an enthusiasm for Christmas trees and in the almost 50 years since I decorated a tree as a new bride the number of trees and the ornaments that go on them has ballooned astronomically. Currently my daughter and I put up 10 full sized trees and more small trees than I am willing to count. As I began to work on some devotions I wanted to include not only the hymns I love but also a visual mark of the promises of God. The idea of a Tree that would serve as an advent calendar took shape. The TREE OF PROMISE devotions are designed to be used in the home, combining the scriptures with hymns and symbols in a way that holds before our eyes the true promises of God celebrated during this portion of the church year. They begin with the first Sunday in Advent, and continue until Epiphany. Advent begins on the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew, November 30^th. The earliest possible date for the beginning of Advent is November 27^th. If Advent begins later in the year in which you are celebrating, make your first day a day of cumulative celebration and include the dates prior as well. Epiphany is always January 6^th. To create a Tree of Promise in your home use either an artificial or live tree, a twig or vine, and place it on the floor, wall, or even suspended from the ceiling. You may decide to keep your tree of promise up through the entire Epiphany season. The last possible date of the Epiphany season (the Saturday before the first Sunday in Pre-Lent) is February 20^th. Since Easter is a movable feast, this calendar date will vary from year to year. Pre-Lent begins nine Sundays before Easter. 

I chose to place a pencil shaped tree in the corner of our dining space and plan to hold the devotions at the table. I decorated the tree with ornaments, many of which will fit the various devotions. Part of each devotion will be identifying the ornament on the tree that best fits the devotion.

Symbols are suggested for each day. You may have, among your ornaments, ones that will fit the devotions. Feel free to use those. If you wish to create new ornaments, use the media of your choice. Except for ornaments that are garland like or box shaped, I used water color paper because of its weight and ability to take and hold multiple colors and ink media. The idea is to be able to see, touch, and hear the promises of God to you. You may choose to use Chrismon© symbols or Christian cross stitch symbols. Perhaps you have a book of symbols or a variety of Christian stamps. Do not be afraid to design your own symbols. Let the Spirit guide your eye and hand. A spread sheet with more detail is available. My own symbols are primitive sketches of disparate sizes, but if yours is a steadier hand, go for it and thank God for the gift He gave you.

Use the Bible translation most beloved to you for the readings, and know that the validity of God’s word does not rest on human effort. I used a collection of translations, often reading the verses from more than one. 

The hymns are listed as useful supplements to the devotions and are effective both as songs and poems. Some are original works and here I included the texts and grant permission to duplicate these texts. Most are familiar hymns that you’ve sung for years. Many are available in multiple hymnbooks. The text of those that are in public domain are included. However, copyright laws restrict the inclusion of text within these devotions for some hymns. Each devotion contains specific hymn book locations. The hymn books listed are the common Lutheran hymnals and song books used in North America within the last 100 years. If the first hymn(s) listed are not in public domain, then I have tried to include an alternative hymn that is in the public domain. On occasion, the Spirit might move you to select a different hymn or even write your own. Do not be afraid to let the Spirit lead your soul to sing. Remember, Psalm 100 instructs us to ‘Make a joyful noise unto The Lord!’ So, if your singing voice is not pitch perfect, or if you are shy, then read the songs aloud or even read them silently. God hears and rejoices. 

God’s promises are sure, Christ is coming!

Natalie Grace

Thanks to  Contributing Writer-

Natalie Grace- 

To God Alone be the Glory!

Devotions will b added daily 

to this site for this Tree of Promise Resource.

Mary Durkin- Nepal Mission Trip- Part 2

 Reflections of a Midwestern Girl 

on a Midwestern culture

During my time in Nepal I was blessed to worship 

with the Christian church of Kathmandu, Nepal. 

 We walked from our guest house 
to the small church

 located about a mile away.  

As we traveled down a rocky alley way,

 I spotted the church next to a marshy rice field.  

The building was weathered, worn, and dated. 

 It lacked adequate power supply and plumbing.  

The windows did not close 
and the toilet did not flush. 

 It was unexpected for a house of worship.  

 However, what I was about 
to experience was beautiful.

We entered the small, dark, damp church. 

It was raining outside.  

The windows were open but there was no breeze.  Kathmandu is not a mild climate. 

 It is hot and humid, much more humid 

and warm than this Midwest girl
 had ever experienced.

  The monsoon season came early this year,
 lucky me.   

The church was segregated by gender.   

Everyone sat on the floor 
on faded oriental style rugs.

  The carpet underneath was old and worn.  

There were osculating fans mounted on the ceiling

 that seemed to taunt me by randomly 

turning on and off throughout the worship. 

 So, we sat on the dirty oriental rugs
 at the back of the church, stagnant heat,
 awkward smells, 

and rising emotions.  
Families were arriving.  

Children, teens, fathers and mothers 

all filled up the small room.  

Each family that walked in 
greeted us with shy smiles 

and bowing as they walked past.  

When worship began,

 there were approximately 
50 people in attendance. 

They took their places on the appropriate sides

 of the church and devoted their attention to the front.

  The music began.  It was loud!  

The electric piano and guitar blared 

and the singers sang with a volume and level

 of enthusiasm I had only seen at professional concerts. 

 The congregation joined in!  

All of these Nepali people were on their feet,
 dancing, singing, and praising the God of all Creation. 

 The presence of the Holy Spirit arrived and expanded 

to fill every single heart in that little church 

next to a rice field.  

The room transformed from being uncomfortable 

to a holy place of worship!  

All of the songs were in Nepalese 

but we knew that God was present 

and His children in Nepal were praising Him. 

 After several worship songs,

 the preacher began to preach.  

His sermon text was Isaiah 40. 

 The chapter begins

40 “Comfort, comfort my people,”

    says your God.

² “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.

Tell her that her sad days are gone

    and her sins are pardoned.

Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over

    for all her sins.”

 These words are so precious 

to the Nepali Christians 

because the country

 is radically changing.  

There is a new constitution declaring that Nepal 

is a non-religious country. 

 It is a country that does not condone religion.

  Unfortunately the main religion

 being attacked is Christianity. 

Their only comfort at this time is their Lord.   

So, as the pastor continued, 

tears began to fall down the faces 

of the men and women in the church. 

 I could see and feel the hurt and persecution

 they were feeling as tears 

streamed down my cheeks. 

 The struggles they deal with on a daily basis

 to keep their church open 

was beyond my comprehension.  

But, as the pastor pointed out to us 

was God is sovereign, he is powerful, 

and He cares for his people.

^{Isaiah 40:10-11}

¹⁰ Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power.

    He will rule with a powerful arm.

    See, he brings his reward 

with him as he comes.

¹¹ He will feed his flock like a shepherd.

    He will carry the lambs in his arms,

holding them close to his heart.

    He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

God will rule with his powerful arm!  

He cares for His faithful people.  

He will carry them.  

He will carry me!  God is powerful.  

At that moment, His love and power 

was revealed to me.  

God truly is everywhere.  

He is alive and well in Midwest

 of the United States and He lives

 in a little church down an alley in Kathmandu

 and in our Northern Virginia metropolitan area.  

My worship experienced 

changed me that day.  

God is ever present.  

He carries us all close to His heart. 

 As worship continued 

and we were on our feet,

 raising our hands praising God,

 I knew that He loves us, He loves us all.  

 Contributing writer - Mary Durkin

Mary Durkin is a member at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

 in Springfield, Virginia.

 Born and raised in Illinois, she is a Midwestern girl at heart. 

She is a wife to John Durkin, DCE and mother of 2. 

Mary has been teaching for 17 years, 16 years serving Lutheran schools. 

She currently teaches for Fairfax County Public Schools.

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