Community Church Devotionals: Recent Episodes
San Marino Community Church, pcusa
The SMCC Advent Devotional Podcast is back for Advent 2023. The clergy of San Marino Community Church have prepared Devotionals for every day in Advent. You can pick up a hard copy in the Courtyard or Church Office any time.
The Podcast will be updated daily throughout Advent.
Rev. Jessica Vaughan Lower reads her reflection on Wrath, and the art work "It Is Finished".
Scripture: Ephesians
4:26-32
Victoria Smith reads her reflection on Pride, and the art work "Undignified".
Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11
Natalie Davis reads her reflection on Greed, and the art work "God or Mammon".
Scripture: Luke 18:18-27
CP Bongs Bringas reads his reflection on Lust, and the art work "Stain Glass".
Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-15.
Rev. Dr. Erk Wiebe reads his reflection on Gluttony, and the art work "Feast".
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34a.
Willow S. reads her reflection on Envy, and the art work "Envy Rots the Bones".
Scripture: Proverbs 14:30 & 1 Corinthians 13:4-6.
Natalie MacMillan reads her reflection on Sloth, and the art work "Ode to Sloth".
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:14-18
Friday, December 30
Written and read by Willow Stephens.
1 Corinthians 13:13
"And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love."
Friday, December 29
Written and read by Natalie Davis.
1 Corinthians 13:13
"And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love."
Thursday, December 28
Written and read by CP Bong Bringas.
John 4:17 & 19
"God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them… We love because God first loved us."
Wednesday, December 27
Written and read by Natalie MacMillan.
John 15:9-12
“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love. I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you.”
December 26
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Erik Wiebe.
Ephesians 4:2-3
"I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences."
Advent Day 23
Written and read by Rev. Beth Putney
Luke 2:10-11
"Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Advent Day 22, Christmas Eve
Written and read by Rev. Jessica Vaughan Lower
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.
Advent Day 21
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Tom Tewell
Luke 1:28
"And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you.”
Advent Day 20
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Ron White.
Isaiah 35:10
"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
Advent Day 19
Written and read by Victoria Smith, Director of Development & Communications.
Psalm 43:4
"Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God."
Advent Day 18
Written and read by Willow Stephens, Director of Contemporary Worship.
Zephaniah 3:17
"The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
Advent Day 17
Written and read by Skip Ober Miller, Business Manager.
Psalm 81:1-2
"Sing aloud to God our strength; shot for joy to the God of Jacob. Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp."
Advent Day 16
Written by Jihan Massoud, SMCC Nursery School Director.
Read by Rev. Beth Putney, Pastoral Resident.
Luke 1:47-49
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name."
Advent Day 15
Written and read by Rev. Beth Putney, Pastoral Resident.
Psalm 4:6-7
"'More, more." I have God's more-than-enough, More joy in one ordinary day, Than they get in all their shopping sprees. At day's end, OI'm ready for sound sleep. For you, God, have put my life back together."
Advent Day 14
Written and read by Bong Bringas, Commissioned Pastor.
Matthew 5:9
"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family."
Advent Day 13
Written and read by Natalie MacMillan, Director of Children's Ministries.
Philippians 4:6-7
"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concern. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
Advent Day 12
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Erik Wiebe, Associate Pastor.
Romans 5:1
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Advent Day 11
Written and read by Willow Stephens, Director of Contemporary Worship
Luke 2:14 (NRSV)
"Suddenly, a great company if the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.' "
Advent Day 10
Written and read by Skip Ober Miller.
John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Advent Day 9
Written and read by Victoria Smith.
Isaiah 52:7
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace."
Advent Day 8
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Ron White.
Matthew 5:9
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
Advent Day 7
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Erik Wiebe
Hebrews 10:23
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
Advent Day 6
Written and read by Natalie Day Davis, Director for Youth Ministries.
Psalm 31:24
"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord."
Advent Day 5
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Tom Tewell.
Ephesians 1:18
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people."
Advent Day 4
Written and read by Rev. Beth Putney, Pastoral Resident.
Psalm 130:5
"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope."
Advent Day 3
Written and read by Bong Bringas, Commissioned Pastor.
Psalm 119:114
"You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word."
Advent Day 2
Written and read by Natalie MacMillan, Director for Children's Ministries.
Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Advent Day 1
Written and read by Rev. Jessica Vaughan Lower, Pastor.
Isaiah 40:31
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength."
Apr 8 • 25:48This episode is scheduled to publish on 04/8/23 at 12:00 AM
Written by Rev. Jessica Vaughan Lower
Matthew 28: 1-10 | The Power of Resurrection
Advent Day 29
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Ron White.
Psalm 121:8 (NRSV)
"The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore."
Advent Day 28
Written and read by Willow Stephens, Contemporary Music Director.
Luke 2:10-11 (NRSV)
"Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord."
Advent Day 27
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Erik Wiebe.
Matthew 12:18 (NRSV)
"Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,
my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the gentiles."
Advent Day 26
Written and read by Rev. Jessica Vaughan Lower.
1 John 1:9 (NRSV)
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Advent Day 25
Written and read by Dr. Peter Green, Director of Traditional Worship.
Isaiah 30:18 (NRSV)
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
Advent Day 24
Written and read by Rev. Jessica Vaughan Lower.
Hosea 12:6 (NRSV)
"But as for you, return to your God; hold fast to love and justice,
and wait continually for your God."
Advent Day 23
Written and read by CP Bong Bringas.
Psalm 82:3-4 (NRSV)
"Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."
Advent Day 22
Written and read by Tiffany Ashworth.
Matthew 1:21 (NRSV)
"She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
Advent Day 21
Written and read by Skip Ober Miller.
Psalm 35:9 (NKJV)
And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation.
All my bones shall say,
“Lord, who is like You,
Delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him?”
Advent Day 20
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Marilyn Manning.
Isaiah 61:3 (The Message)
"God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies— and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit."
Advent Day 15
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Erik Wiebe.
Romans 15:13 (NRSV)
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Advent Day 18
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Tom Tewell.
Colossians 1:11-12
"May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light."
Advent Day 17
Written and read by Rev. Jessica Vaughan Lower.
Jeremiah 15:16 (NRSV)
"Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts."
Advent Day 16
Written and read by Victoria Smith, Director of Communications & Development
Nehemiah 8:10 (NRSV)
"Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord, and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Advent Day 15
Written and read by Natalie Day, Director of Youth Ministries.
Matthew 11:4-5 (The Message)
"Jesus told them, Go back and tell John what’s going on:
The blind see, The lame walk,
Lepers are cleansed, The deaf hear, The dead are raised,
The wretched of the earth learn that God is on their side."
Advent Day 14
Written and read by Natalie MacMillan, Director of Children's Ministries.
Malachi 4:2 (The Message)
"But for you, sunrise! The sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honor my name, healing radiating from its wings. You will be bursting
with energy, like colts frisky and frolicking."
Advent Day 13
Written and read by Willow Stephens, Contemporary Worship Director.
1 Corinthians 12:9 (The Message)
DR. PETER GREEN, DIRECTOR OF TRADITIONAL WORSHIP
You called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time.
He spoke the word that healed you.
Psalm 107:20 (The Message)
Advent Day 11
Written and read baby Rev. Dr. Marilyn Manning.
Isaiah 58:8 (NKJV)
"Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard."
Advent Day 10
Written and read by Natalie Day, Director of Youth Ministries.
Luke 4:18 (NKJV)
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted."
Advent Day 9
Written and read by Tiffany Ashworth, Pastoral Intern, Fall '22
Isaiah 53:5
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed."
Advent Day 8
Written and read by Skip Ober Miller, Business Manager.
Matthew 3:11 (The Message)
“I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama – compared to him I’m a mere stagehand – will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out.”
Advent Day 7
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Ron C. White.
Psalm 119:129 (NRSV)
"Your decrees are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them."
Advent Day 6
Written and read by Victoria Smith, Director of Communications & Development/
Psalm 2:30 (NRSV)
"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; that I know very well."
Advent Day 5
Written and read by CP Bong Bringas.
Joel 2:30 (NRSV)
"I’ll even pour out my Spirit on the servants, men and women both.
I’ll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below."
Advent Day 4
Written by Jihan Massoud, Community Church Nursery School Director.
Read by Natalie MacMillan, Director of Children's Ministries.
Psalm 136:3-4 (NRSV):
"O give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever"
Advent Day 3
Written and read by Natalie MacMillan, Director of Children's Ministries.
Psalm 88:12 (NRSV):
"Are your wonders known in the darkness
or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness?"
Advent Day 2
Written and read by Rev. Jessica Vaughan Lower, Pastor.
Daniel 6:26-27 (NRSV):
"For he is the living God, enduring forever.
His Kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end.
He delivers and rescues;
he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth."
Advent Day 1
Written and read by Rev. Dr. Tom Tewell, Preacher in Residence.
Matthew 24:42 (The Message):
"So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up."
Rev. Dr. Erik Wiebe welcomes you to our 2022 Advent Devotional.
We're glad you're here! Come visit us at www.smccpby.com