December 6th, 2025
by Sarah Hines
by Sarah Hines
Advent 2025 DevotionalCore | Peace
December 6, 2025
Written by Dave Merrill (the older elder)
Title: I Will Work for Good
Scripture:
My Reflection
In God's name we pray for good for others (including peace)
King David wrote this song of ascent to express his sense of joy and excitement as he approaches and enters the “house of the LORD” (the Temple in Jerusalem). His anticipation of a time of worship and a fellowship of peace with others is palpable and contagious. David’s reverence and humility in this place of praise inspires us to approach our faith in a similar fashion.
This Psalm illuminates the unity, prosperity, and peace only supplied by a Holy God. Gathering together as a community of worship and fellowship for the cause of peace can only happen effectively when we are working for the “good” of others. This song underscores the profound significance of communal worship and shared camaraderie among believers. I pray The Gathering (our house of the LORD) inspires you each week as a place of peace, joy, and excitement.
In this season of Advent and in this time of giving, be intentional about working for the good of others. When your beliefs and your prayers are directed toward the LORD, and when your relationships with others are focused on their well-being, God’s will for your life may be fulfilled. Pray for others, rejoice with others, love your neighbor, and give thanks for others at all times. The joy and peace that passes our understanding will result.
My Prayer:
Reflection Question:
Sign up to receive the Advent Devotional here.
December 6, 2025
Written by Dave Merrill (the older elder)
Title: I Will Work for Good
Scripture:
“And because of the house of the LORD our God, I will work for your good.” (Psalm 122:9, CEV)
My Reflection
In God's name we pray for good for others (including peace)
King David wrote this song of ascent to express his sense of joy and excitement as he approaches and enters the “house of the LORD” (the Temple in Jerusalem). His anticipation of a time of worship and a fellowship of peace with others is palpable and contagious. David’s reverence and humility in this place of praise inspires us to approach our faith in a similar fashion.
This Psalm illuminates the unity, prosperity, and peace only supplied by a Holy God. Gathering together as a community of worship and fellowship for the cause of peace can only happen effectively when we are working for the “good” of others. This song underscores the profound significance of communal worship and shared camaraderie among believers. I pray The Gathering (our house of the LORD) inspires you each week as a place of peace, joy, and excitement.
In this season of Advent and in this time of giving, be intentional about working for the good of others. When your beliefs and your prayers are directed toward the LORD, and when your relationships with others are focused on their well-being, God’s will for your life may be fulfilled. Pray for others, rejoice with others, love your neighbor, and give thanks for others at all times. The joy and peace that passes our understanding will result.
My Prayer:
LORD of Heaven and earth, soften my heart. Replace any feelings of bitterness, shame, and anger with joy, praise, eagerness, and love. Remind me and help me each time I enter The Gathering (the house of the LORD), that I am here to worship you, engage with the fellowship of believers, and serve the community of faith in my thoughts, words, and deeds. You have told us, “blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” In this season of Advent, LORD, make me, mold me, and use me as a peacemaker for the good of others. You created me in your image to do good works. Help me to fulfill your promise with the joy and excitement I have seen today in King David’s worship. Amen.
Reflection Question:
- Am I joyful and excited about coming to church each week to praise God and work for the good of others?
Sign up to receive the Advent Devotional here.
Posted in Advent Devotional
Recent
Working Out My Own Salvation | Lent Devotional Day 39
March 28th, 2026
Serving (at Easter) is Powerful // M-Note 3.28.2026
March 27th, 2026
CoreGroup Guide | Why Did Jesus Have to Die? - Part 5
March 27th, 2026
Jesus and Community | Lent Devotional Day 38
March 27th, 2026
Christ’s Victory Empowers His People to Serve | Lent Devotional Day 37
March 26th, 2026
Archive
2026
January
CoreGroup Guide | Shift Happens Part 1Three Reasons to Worship This Weekend // M-Note 1.10.2026A Mix of Celebrations and Bittersweet News // M-Note 1.17.2026CoreGroup Guide | Shift Happens Part 2CoreGroup Guide | Shift Happens Part 3Spread the Word: Online Only Worship on January 25 // M-Note 1.24.2026A Hard Lesson to Learn...Life's Not Always Fair // M-Note 1.31.2026
February
CoreGroup Guide | Shift Happens Part 4CoreGroup Guide | Power of Serving Part 1CoreGroup Guide | Power of Serving Part 2Ash Wednesday - The Party's Over | Lent Devotional Day 1Led Into the Wildnerness | Lent Devotional Day 2Take a Step Back to Grow Closer to God // M-Note 2.21.2026Celebrating Lent - An Oxymoron? | Lent Devotional Day 3CoreGroup Guide | Power of Serving Part 3Let's Journey With Openness | Lent Devotional Day 4What we Mean by "Penal Substitution" | Lent Devotional Day 5The Cross - Sin and Nearness | Lent Devotional 2026 Day 6The God Who Doesn't Look Away | Lent Devotional 2026 Day 7Worthy of Belonging | Lent Devotional Day 8Confession Without Self-Hatred | Lent Devotional Day 9The Repairer | Lent Devotional Day 10The Lamb of God | Lent Devotional Day 11Why Did Jesus Have to Die? // M-Note 2.28.2026
March
Turning the Lights On | Lent Devotional Day 12CoreGroup Guide | Why Did Jesus Have to Die? - Part 1Love That Leads to Change | Lent Devotional Day 13Like Ads for Love | Lent Devotional Day 14Who are You…Really? | Lent Devotional Day 15Nothing Between Us | Lent Devotional Day 16Let It Rip | Lent Devotional Day 17Christ + Nothing | Lent Devotional Day 18An Unjustifiable War // M-Note 3.7.2026CoreGroup Guide | Why Did Jesus Have to Die? - Part 2A Queer Atonement | Lent Devotional Day 19In Christ Was Life, the Light For All People | Lent Devotional Day 20Failure and the Invitation To New Imagination | Lent Devotional Day 21Jesus & Queerness: Entertaining Angels | Lent Devotional Day 22The Least of These | Lent Devotional Day 23The Good News For All Creation - and the Strange Wonder of God’s People | Lent Devotional Day 24Ready to Receive an Invitation // M-Note 3.14.2026Christ’s Death Frees Us So His Reconciling Life Can Flow Through Us | Lent Devotional Day 24 CopyFeminist Atonement Theory | Lent Devotional Day 26CoreGroup Guide | Why Did Jesus Have to Die? - Part 3Time to Tear Down | Lent Devotional Day 27God Doesn’t Glorify Violence, Man Does | Lent Devotional Day 28God Shares in Our Emotions, Death, and Resurrection | Lent Devotional Day 29A Meal that Matters | Lent Devotional Day 30The Cross is About Community | Lent Devotional Day 31Only Later Did It Begin to Make Sense | Lent Devotional Day 32CoreGroup Guide | Why Did Jesus Have to Die? - Part 4Jesus is Liberator of the Oppressed | Lent Devotional Day 33The Bigger Picture - Exodus, Jesus, and the God of the Oppressed | Lent Devotional Day 34Marginalized Prophetic Voices Emphasize God’s Character | Lent Devotional Day 35Freedom from Sin is both Personal AND Communal | Lent Devotional Day 36Christ’s Victory Empowers His People to Serve | Lent Devotional Day 37Jesus and Community | Lent Devotional Day 38Serving (at Easter) is Powerful // M-Note 3.28.2026CoreGroup Guide | Why Did Jesus Have to Die? - Part 5Working Out My Own Salvation | Lent Devotional Day 39
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3
2 Comments
Amen! Thank you, Dave the older elder, for this beautiful reminder.
Dear Dave, thank you for your inspiring message. And I can say without reservation, the answer to your prayerful question is “yes!” Your joy and excitement at being in the Lord’s house is obvious every week. It’s also contagious. Thank you for being there.