Advent Gatherings:
Sundays, December 2, 9 and 16 at 9 and 11 am
Sunday, December 23 at 10:30 am
Monday, December 24 at 5 pm
The celebration of Advent is always a special season of focus. During this time we focus on three ‘comings’ of Christ: His arrival in history as a baby born of Mary, His return in fearsome glory at the end of time and His intermediate entrance into our own lives. As we look back at the coming of Christ and expectantly look forward, this season calls us to examine our own lives and to be spiritually ready. Though Scripture doesn’t require us to celebrate Advent or do anything different this time of year, we believe it is a great opportunity to discover, celebrate and enjoy the gospel together.
The gospel is good news and, as such, it implies two things: it must be truly good; and it must be proclaimed, after all, news is meant to be reported. Why is it good? It is good because it removes the obstacles to the only lasting, all satisfying source of our hope, peace, joy and love: Jesus Christ. Jesus is the goal of our salvation. The gospel is defined throughout the New Testament as the gospel of Christ (Romans 15.19). Even more specifically, the gospel is the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4.4). The apostle Paul says that the preaching of the gospel is the preaching of the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3.8). So, the good news is that the everlasting and ever-increasing joy of Christ is freely ours forever by faith in the peace-making death, hope-giving resurrection and love of Jesus Christ.
As we discover, celebrate and enjoy the gospel this season my prayer is that it would compel us to abandon all things for Christ and lay our life down on a daily basis. The apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5.14-15 says, The love of Christ controls us (compels us)…so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. I pray your advent and Christmas joy would be wrapped up in Jesus and that you would see living out the mission of God as a great get to!
Below you will find information on our Advent giving, candles and readings...
Advent Giving
This advent season the elders have put forth an advent giving goal for us. This year's goal is $91,000. In years past, you have given above and beyond to help fund the work of the gospel both locally and globally. We want to invite you to pray and join in doing the same again this year. As you pray let me encourage you to meditate on 2 Corinthians 9.6-8. Let this be a joyful opportunity this advent season.
The funds given this year will be distributed as follows: $51,000 will go toward our normal monthly expenses and the over and beyond amount of $40,000 will go toward specific ministry endeavors locally and globally. We will have a breakdown of those funds soon
Advent Candles
The Advent candle stand consists of five candles. One candle is lit each week with a corresponding Scripture reading until all are lit. The growing light and development of the story progressively reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope.
Advent Readings
We want to encourage you to take time and read the Scriptures this Advent season. The following Scripture readings can be done individually, with your family or with other groups of people during this season.
November 25 - December 1 (Preparing our Hearts): Colossians 1.15-22; Romans 8.18-25; Romans 5.1-11
December 2 - 8: Genesis 1-2; Isaiah 2.1-5; Psalm 122; Isaiah 11.1-10; Revelation 21-22; Luke 21.25-36
December 9-15: Psalm 126, Zephaniah 3.14-20; Isaiah 35.1-10; Luke 1.5-25, 57-80; 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24
December 16-22: Micah 5.2-5; Psalm 123; Luke 1.26-38; Luke 1.39-56; Matthew 1.18-25; Romans 16.25-27
December 23-29: Luke 2.21-40; John 1.1-18; Philippians 2.5-11; Galatians 4.4-7; Psalm 8; Numbers 6.22-27