Bulletin
Jesus' Gifts to Us | Advent 2023
When God created the world, it was completely aligned with his will. But, when humanity sinned, it became misaligned, resulting in pain, death, and war. Throughout history, godly leaders have helped us realign our wills with God’s and have helped reestablish peace but it has never been complete nor permanent. Individually and collectively, we alternate between more and less alignment with God’s will but we never achieve perfect or lasting peace. Often, it seems like there will never be a leader capable of achieving it and that thought is truly devastating. However, it’s wrong. There is in fact a leader who can and will enact God’s redemptive plan for the world and such a leader is worthy of all the worship the world can muster.
The Christmas Holiday is full of many traditions, emotions, memories and gifts, which make it “the most wonderful time of the year.” All of this celebration is fitting because we are celebrating the greatest news to ever be uttered at anytime on this planet. The angel who originally announced this great message described it as “good news of great joy that will be for all people.” Why is the gift of Jesus to cause such great joy? Do we live in the joy we were meant to have? What are the implications of this joy for each of our lives? Join us as we explore the great joy of this Christmas Season!
In 700 B.C. it was announced, “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” If Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy, where is the increase of His influence? Where is unending peace? Join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. to sing, pray, light Advent candles and consider what the promised gift of Christ’s governance looked like in the 1st century, what it looks like today and what it will look like in the days to come.
Description: C. S. Lewis wrote, “We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him.” Yet the fast pace of December can easily crowd out our experience of God’s presence. May this year be different! Join us at 9 a.m. each Sunday this month as we greet one another, sing praise, light candles, pray, rest in silence, come to the table and ponder a few of the gifts that Jesus brings to us. This Sunday, the 1st Sunday of Advent, Lead Pastor Dean Wertz will facilitate the ministry of God’s Word as we marvel at the exceedingly undeserved gift of God’s presence!