Happy Advent! I hope you are having a good December and finding the time of year to be one of reflection on the gift of Jesus Christ and what this means to you. If you haven’t picked up a copy of our devotional, make sure to pick one up at the church. If you can’t make it out, call the office and we will see about getting one to you. There is a different one for each day through Christmas Eve. I think you will find the readings a great way to start the day, a good break amid all the busyness, or the perfect way to end the day with a bedtime reading.

We will also have a week filled with song and worship to help you find the right place for your peace of heart and mind. This Sunday, December 10th, our choir will bring the gift of music to our worship with a cantata, “Christmas is Jesus.” I believe this may be the best cantata we have ever had! Afterward, we will gather in the fellowship hall for our “Friends and Family” fellowship and feast. Bring a friend, bring yourself, but bring your appetite. The kitchen will be serving up brisket with all the sides.

On Wednesday, our service will be more subdued and contemplative as we have our Blue Christmas service. This service allows hearts to lay down the heavy burdens we may be carrying within. Not all of us are ready for the bright lights and cheer of most Christmas celebrations. We can even become depressed, as we watch what appears to be the rest of the world and all its happy cheer. It is good to give Jesus our grief, fears, illness, or anything else weighing us down. I find this service to be an important part of the season as I consider all the emotions and the past and present events that go into making us who we are as members of humanity. Jesus came into the world for all of us and all that is inside of us. He came to give us peace and reconcile us to the Lord our God.

I hope you will join us on Sunday, Wednesday, and the other worship-filled celebrations this month. By the grace of God, something remarkable has happened and is happening as Jesus has come to us and for us!

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Pastor Rick