The Message of Advent

As we look at God’s word, we need to understand how the Christ (as the word of God) comes to humankind now and how we can receive and carry the Christ’s presence today. This starts with our Love… and the guides for which can be found all throughout scripture. We are calling the next four weeks “The Four Steps to Christmas” — the offering of quality time, Gifts, Acts of Service and Words of Affirmation. The task then becomes to take this journey over the next four weeks to come into a full consciousness with God, who comes to us in Jesus the Christ and these stages of God’s love.

Also as part of our journey to the Christmas event you may find daily readings here. I will post them in our Facebook Group. They will also be the subject of our Monday Night Bible Study beginning November 28th.

May this journey be filled with blessings and awesome wonders in your relationship with God.

The Candles of Advent | Year A

First Sunday of Advent: Hope

VOICE – Today is the First Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Hope.

VOICES – Our hope is in God, and in his son Jesus Christ. He is the one appointed by God to be judge of all things. He is the one through whom God has promised to save and redeem his people.

VOICE – We light this candle today to remind us that he is our hope and the hope of the world. We thank God for the promises he has made to us and for the light he has brought into the world.

Light the First Candle

VOICES – Let us pray: O God of Hope, Emmanuel, God with Us, we pray you to send your light into our hearts at this time. Help us to be ready for the day and the hour of Christ’s final appearing. Live in us and help us to live in you. By the power of the Holy Spirit, transform us so that our worship, our celebration, our time of preparation, may be pleasing unto you — both now and forevermore. Amen.

Readings: Psalm 122, Matthew 24:36-44

Message: “Prepare” (Romans 13:11-14) Pastor Paul

Second Sunday of Advent: Peace

VOICE – Today is the Second Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Peace.

VOICES – Our peace is found in God and in his son, Jesus Christ. John the Baptist, and all the prophets remind us, that to receive peace we must be prepared for it.

VOICE – We light this candle today to remind us that Christ is
the Prince of Peace, the one promised from the beginning
of the world. We thank God for the hope he gives us and
for the peace he bestows.

Light the First and Second Candles

VOICES – Let us pray: O God of Peace, Emmanuel, we pray you to send your light into our hearts currently. Help us to be ready for the day and the hour of Christ’s appearing. Work in our hearts currently and help us prepare ourselves for the peace that he brings — the inner peace that tells us that we are united with you and the outer peace which will come when he returns to judge the world. Bless our worship that it may be pleasing unto you, and bless us that we may prove to be your faithful servants. Amen.

Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13

Message: “Repent” (Matthew 3:1-12) Pastor Paul

Third Sunday of Advent | White Gift Sunday: Joy

VOICE – Today is the Third Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Joy.

VOICES – Our joy is in God and in his son Jesus Christ. Like peace, joy is a gift from God. It overtakes us and fills us when we remember what God has done and what he has promised to do.

VOICE – We light this candle today to remind us that Christ came, and is coming, so that all people might have a rich and abundant life. We thank God for the hope he gives us, for the peace he bestows, and for the joy he pours into our hearts.

Light the First, Second and Third Candle

VOICES – Let us pray: O God of Joy, Emmanuel, send your light
into our hearts at this time. Help us to be ready for the time of Christ’s appearing. Fix our hearts and our minds upon those things you have done and those you have promised to do that we may have the joy you have promised. As we worship you, strengthen us so that we may always do your will and so bless you and the world you have made. Amen.

Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:2-11

Message: “Be Patient” (James 5:7-10) Pastor Paul

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love

VOICE – Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Love.

VOICES – Jesus shows us God’s perfect love. He is God’s perfect love in human form. Those who believe in him and live in him, live in love. Love transforms and perfects all things. It never ends.

VOICE – We light this candle today to remind us that God is love. We thank God for hope he gives us, for the peace he bestows, for the joy he pours into our hearts, and for the love that redeems us and shows us the way.

Light the First, Second, Third and Fourth Candle

VOICES – Let us pray: O God of Love, Emmanuel, send your light into our hearts currently. Help us to be ready for the time of Christ’s appearing. Grant that we may so dwell in him that his perfect love fills our entire being. Make our worship a time in which we celebrate your love and are made ready to show that love to the whole world — both today and forevermore. Amen.

Readings: Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7

Message: “God Always Answers” (Matthew 1:18-25) Pastor Paul