Friends,

This Sunday marks the fourth Sunday in Advent when, for us, our thoughts will gather around the idea of trust. There’s never a time when this idea isn’t timely for followers of Jesus. And while we anticipate the joy of our gatherings to celebrate Christmas, there always seems to be the hint of weariness that creeps in because of all the preparation. My hope for you is that you have been pursuing the idea of rest in the sufficiency of Christ—that no matter what else is happening around you, you are able to find the peace that comes from being held in the grip of God’s overwhelming love and Christ’s strong grace.

Our nation is experiencing a degree of weariness amid the toxic political climate. At all levels we seem to have lost the art of dialogue that invites reason to emerge as voices from all quarters clamor to be heard and to prevail. It helps to remember that Jesus was born into a weary world filled with anxiety and political intrigue. It is interesting to hear the Apostle Paul’s voice in Galatians explain that in the fullness of time—in other words, when the time was right—Jesus came into the world to bring about a change making it possible for weariness to be replaced with hope, joy, and peace. This exchange is still happening as we allow ourselves to be led by Christ into the larger reality of God’s presence pursuing God’s mission of setting the world right again. The ancient cry “Immanuel,” God with us, still rings true, but how that rings true is what we’ll explore in our time together this Sunday. 

A quick reminder that our Christmas Eve services this year will take place at 5PM, when our children will lead our thoughts by presenting “We Three Spies. And then our 9PM candlelight service will be a Lessons and Carols service where we’ll listen to the Scripture and sing carols in response. And, as we’ve announced, there will not be an 11PM service this year—so plan on 5PM and/or 9PM to ring in your Christmas celebration.

The Friday Food Pack team invites you to join in preparing weekend food packs after the morning worship service this Sunday. This is the last weekend before Christmas which can be filled with a host of activity, but please remember that hunger doesn’t take a break at Christmas. Thanks for continuing to bless our community families with this ministry of kindness. 

One more quick note—we’re in the process of interviewing candidates for the Youth Director position. Please continue to pray for God’s leading to be clear in this process. We’re excited at the progress made. Thanks very much for your generosity in giving through this month! This is making it possible for us to make promises we can keep as we develop plans for hiring a youth director who will join us in forming the lives of our young people to be life-long followers of Jesus. The world may be weary, but we who follow Jesus are at rest in the overwhelming goodness of God! 

Teresa joins me in expressing our thanks for your warmth and affection as we wish you a blessed, joy-filled Christmas!

See you Sunday,
—frank