First Sunday of Advent

Hi Church Family,

Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is all about waiting for Jesus to arrive afresh and anew in our lives. In one sense, this season is an anticipation of the second arrival of Jesus by remembering His first arrival. In another sense, this season is preparation to receive Him into our lives right now, in the present tense, by the power of His Spirit! We pray, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

I’m looking forward to journeying through the same scriptures and devotional readings with you these next few weeks. If you haven’t yet picked up your copy of the Advent devotional, Joy of Every Longing Heart, grab one tomorrow morning at GCN. On Sunday mornings this season, we’ll be looking at the lectionary passages from Isaiah. Tomorrow, we’ll be looking at Isaiah 64:1-8. What does it look like for God to tear open the heavens and come down? I would invite you to reflect on this passage as you prepare for the first Sunday of Advent tomorrow.

Bring a gift-wrapped toy ($5ish / gender-neutral) and/or a $25 gift card to Amazon, Walmart, or Target. We’re partnering with Stewartown Community Center and their upcoming community Christmas party. By donating a toy or gift card, you can be a real tangible presence of Jesus to our neighbors. This reminds me of the first Christmas, when God became flesh and moved right into the neighborhood. We only have one more Sunday to bring those toys back. (Deadline: December 10th)

Invite someone to join you for our Sunday morning worship services and to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (5pm on 12/24) this season. I think Advent, this season leading up to Christmas, is one of the best times to invite someone in your life to join you for worship service. Who could you text, call, or reach out to today and invite them to join you tomorrow morning? Who is lonely and in need of a community of believers to surround them? That’s who the church is, and that’s what the church does.

Much love,

Pastor Brian

No Comments