Sermon - Hope in an Unlikely Place

Preaching on the Annunciation in Luke 1:26–38, Pastor Jenny invites us into Advent as a season of waiting—waiting for God to heal, renew, and break in with hope. Through Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel, she shows how God’s love often arrives in the most unlikely places, through the most unlikely people, and at the most unlikely times. Mary’s honest questions remind us that faith doesn’t require certainty; it requires the courage to say yes even while afraid or unsure. Pastor Jenny connects Mary’s story to our own seasons of uncertainty, including the pandemic years, reminding us that hope often emerges in quiet, unexpected ways when we stay open to God’s presence. Ultimately, Mary’s prayer—“Let it be with me just as you have said”—becomes our Advent prayer of trust, courage, and readiness to receive the God who still comes to us as Emmanuel, bringing hope that changes everything.

Reflection question:
Where might God be inviting you to say a courageous yes this Advent—trusting that hope can be born in an unexpected place in your own life?