Advent Devotional

The First Sunday of Advent - HOPE

“O Holy Night”

O holy night! the stars are brightly shining;

It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope- the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Today is the first day of Advent, the day we light the candle of

Hope. Some of my favorite passages in the bible center around hope. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Psalm 27:13 “I would have been without hope had I not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

The lyrics to O Holy Night were translated into English by John

Sullivan Dwight in 1855, a year in which many I am sure were

looking for hope. A quick glance at the historical calendar and

you see riots, battles and skirmishes that were precursors to the Civil War. Although Dwight’s translation is close to the original French text, he did alter the third verse to reflect his anti-slavery beliefs: “Truly He taught us to love one another…chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, and in His name, all oppression shall cease.”

I often think back to the days of slavery and the role the churches played in its abolition. As one who attended Quaker, Disciples of Christ, and Methodist services as a child, I can say I am proud to know that there were so many that were against it and fought to end its practice in this nation. One church in particular that caught my attention was the 2nd Presbyterian Church in New Albany, IN. The escaped slave knew that if he could make it across the Ohio River from Kentucky to that church, there he would find people willing to step out of their comfort zones to provide food, shelter and safety. And, while the church building itself served as a refuge (a sanctuary, indeed) and a meeting place to plan and coordinate, the most important

work was done outside its walls along the riverbank.

It is easy for me to become cynical. I am writing this at a time when the war between Ukraine and Russia is ongoing, violence in the Middle East has erupted yet again, and there are troubles in our nation and around the globe. Sometimes it seems that once one problem in the world is fixed, another one is there to replace it. But, we are Easter people. We are those who sing with heartfelt honesty “A thrill of hope-the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!” We see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living, and we demon-strate that loving-kindness in the way we treat one another. I will be in prayer this Advent season that I will be a beacon of hope within the church walls, and a messenger of hope outside the church walls.

- Andy Truex, Music Director

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

1 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock.You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us.

3 Restore us, O God;

make your face shine on us,

that we may be saved.

4 How long, Lord God Almighty,

will your anger smolder

against the prayers of your people?

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.

6 You have made us an object of derision[b] to our neighbors,and our enemies mock us.

7 Restore us, God Almighty;

make your face shine on us,

that we may be saved.

17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,

the son of man you have raised up for yourself.

18 Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.

19 Restore us, Lord God Almighty;

make your face shine on us,

that we may be saved.

In Psalm 80, the people plead for God to save them from their desperation and agony as they are rejected by their neighbors and mocked by their enemies. The people had fallen away from the God of salvation and hoped to return to His promise of life by pleading with Him for restoration. Can you recall a time when you fell away from God only to return with hope for restoration? It is a repeated theme seen throughout history and within each of us. All of us have turned from God and taken up idols or relied on ourselves. As we celebrate this time of advent and the coming hope of Christ, let us now turn to God and lament as the people did in Psalm 80.

Prayer | God, we know we have turned away from you. If You restore us, we will not turn from You again but only call on You, God. “Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”

- Kayla Helmintoller, Communications Director & Modern Worship Leader

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Although written simply as the overture of Paul’s first letter to the community of believers in Corinth, the words in this passage contain deep meaning. Imagine being a Christian in the earliest generations after Christ, when many of the theological principles we take for granted as foundational truth were being explored, debated, and understood for the first time! The New Testament as we know it did not exist yet, and perhaps even Paul himself had not come to fully understand the meaning of his faith.

Reading on into the book of 1 Corinthians, we quickly understand that the Corinthians were doing many things wrong. Paul needed to put them back on track. And yet, in spite of their numerous and repeated shortcomings and failures, Christ accepted these people into his grace, and shared his strength with them. These words from Paul helped the Corinthians to understand that the power to achieve salvation and dwell forever with Christ would - strangely - come from Christ himself. It’s not easy to understand now, and it must have been even more radical two thousand years ago.

Today’s Christians are just like the Corinthians. We try to solve our problems with our own strength, we look to ourselves for stability, and (although we have New Testaments!) We celebrate our own abilities.This simple passage reminds us that when we answer God’s call to fellowship with Jesus, we tap into the very - and only - strength that can actually save us. As we reflect upon the past year this Advent season, even in our lows, may we above all else be encouraged by the infinite hope we have in Christ. After all, grace is given - even to those of us who find ourselves a little off track.

- Samantha Kosoris, Funday School Director

Mark 13:24-37

24 “But in those days, following that distress,

“‘the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light;

25 the stars will fall from the sky,

and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Some of the readings that our mothers and fathers in the faith say are “the right ones” to read in preparing for Advent leave us shaking our heads. “Why would anyone think this is helpful? Who decided on that one?” This reading is one of them.

But as we linger over these words a while (a good thing to do when letting scripture speak to us), we begin to see. “A-ha! I see the connection now!” “Oh, now I get it!”

The message from Mark’s gospel above describes a time when God will shake things up… and that we need to be ready and watching for when that might happen.

When was the last time Jesus really “shook you up?” To be sure, most of our growth in faith is gradual, built on small discoveries and realizations. But there’s also the “shake you up” kind, and we’re told that we should not only be ready for these, but also be watching for them.

During the days of this Advent season, as we not only celebrate our Lord’s coming but welcome his coming among us and into us, let’s look and listen for ways God is speaking to us through that blessed One in whom we have found salvation. Could it be in the chance to act as a peacemaker, when people are jostling and hurrying and sometimes being rude? Could it be in expressing gentleness and compassion to those who, for whatever reasons, are stressed and curt? What if you sense God nudging you with some crazy idea about visiting someone who is old or alone, or calling someone you haven’t spoken to in years, just to let them know you value their friendship and what they’ve meant to you? Maybe Jesus will appear in the form of someone in need, or in the many chances we have during this season to share with others. After all, Jesus was poor, a refugee, and hated by a government that sought to kill him while a child. If the Spirit of God speaks to your heart and even “shakes you up”, let’s look, listen, and let it happen!

What was it Jesus told us to keep in mind?

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

- Dr. Kevin Tully, Senior Pastor

Isaiah 40:1-11

Comfort, comfort my people,

says your God.

2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

and proclaim to her

that her hard service has been completed,

that her sin has been paid for,

that she has received from the Lord’s hand

double for all her sins.

3 A voice of one calling:

“In the wilderness prepare

the way for the Lord;

make straight in the desert

a highway for our God.

4 Every valley shall be raised up,

every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level,

the rugged places a plain.

5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,

and all people will see it together.

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

6 A voice says, “Cry out.”

And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass,

and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.

7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

because the breath of the Lord blows on them.

Surely the people are grass.

8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God endures forever.”

9 You who bring good news to Zion,

go up on a high mountain.

You who bring good news to Jerusalem,

lift up your voice with a shout,

lift it up, do not be afraid;

say to the towns of Judah,

“Here is your God!”

10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,

and he rules with a mighty arm.

See, his reward is with him,

and his recompense accompanies him.

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.

The phrase “comfort, comfort my people” feels like a warm hug every time I go to read this chapter. This passage, like many in the middle of Issaiah, offers a beautiful proclamation of what God intends to do on behalf of God’s people. I love this passage a lot, but then again there is that pesky little section in the middle. You know, that bit about dead grass in verses 6, 7, and 8 that interrupts all the good things God is telling the people? It might shock you to hear that it would appear that these two verses were meant to be the focal point of the whole poem! So why, in such an encouraging poem, highlight the dead grass part?

In Advent we remember the feelings of hurt, loss, and hopelessness the people must have felt in the world that Jesus was born into. In order to really understand Christmas, we cannot skip past these things like we are so often tempted to do. The same goes for this passage. It could be tempting not to focus on those three verses in the middle, but then we would not get the full effect of the comfort God is announcing to the people. “What shall I cry '' is Issaiah’s question, but what is there not to cry out about? The people feel beat down and withered like grass! This is probably something that isn’t hard to relate to. But if we dance around the honest and difficult parts of this text that admit that life is difficult for the people, we can never fully understand the comfort being offered. It would be like trying to make your hurting friend feel better by jumping to worn out positive clichés without actually listening to why they are hurting. In the same way, if we skip past advent and don’t take time to remember how much the people were hurting in the days that Jesus was born into, we may not fully understand why Christmas is such comfort and good news. Perhaps the best way to not miss Christmas this year is to not skip taking the time to remember all the hard things that lead up to that holy night.

- Seth Jones, Youth Director

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

1 You, Lord, showed favor to your land;

you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave the iniquity of your people

and covered all their sins.[b]

8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;

he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—

but let them not turn to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,

that his glory may dwell in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness meet together;

righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,

and righteousness looks down from heaven.

12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,

and our land will yield its harvest.

13 Righteousness goes before him

and prepares the way for his steps.

In this season of Advent, we echo the prayers of the ancient Hebrew people through Psalm 85 for God’s promised righteousness and restoration to come to us. We wait with hope in anticipation of God’s gift of forgiveness and salvation that will come to us, and lead us. The Hebrew people placed their faith and hope in God’s love and fidelity that offers all humanity righteousness and peace with God.

Throughout the ages, we continue to wait with hope for righteousness and peace that only God offers. We ask ourselves how can we humans be made right with God? God is holy and perfect, while humanity is sinful and imperfect. The ancient Hebrew people couldn’t have imagined how God would fulfill this promise of restoration and righteousness, and today we continue to be in awe of God’s work of salvation sent to us through Jesus. Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, he is the only one who can save us from our sin and restore us into right relationship with God. As we prepare our hearts for his coming, let us focus on the promise that Jesus is our hope, and through his love and sacrifice on the cross we are made righteous and given salvation through him.

Prayer |Gracious God, thank you for the gift of Jesus who has made us righteous, and restored us to right relationship with you. Help us to hold onto hope in this season, and to remain faithful and loving. Prepare our hearts to follow the way in which you lead us. In the name of our Savior, Jesus, Amen.

- Rev. Val Stewart, Associate Pastor

2 Peter 3:8-15

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.[a]

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

During this festive season, as we find ourselves in a time of reflection and renewal, it's crucial to remember God's eternal nature and His unwavering promise to us. Christmas, beyond gifts and lights, invites us to immerse ourselves in the infinite love and patience of our Creator.

Peter, in his second letter, reminds us that for God, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day. This eternal perspective reveals that, although sometimes we feel God is slow to respond, He operates in a timeframe that transcends our human understanding. His patience is not a sign of distance or disinterest, but a loving invitation to transformation and repentance.

Christmas is a reminder of the greatest gift God has given us: His son, Jesus Christ. Just as we await Jesus's arrival during the Advent season, Peter urges us to hope and prepare for the Lord's day. A day that, although unpredictable, promises us total renewal, a new heaven, and a new earth where righteousness dwells.

So, this Christmas season, as we enjoy the company of our loved ones and reflect on the year that has passed, it's essential that we also look forward to the future with hope and determination. Let's strive to live holy and godly lives, longing for the divine promise and making every effort to be at peace with Him.

May the Lord's love and patience inspire us during this Christmas and guide us into a new year full of blessings and spiritual renewal. For in the Lord's patience, we find our salvation, a gift that transcends time and offers us eternal hope.

- Jesus & Lili Molina, Alpha Ministry

The Second Sunday of Advent: LOVE

Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine (Joseph lieber, Joseph mein)

Verse: "Joseph, Dearest Joseph mine,

Help me cradle the Child divine.

God reward thee and all that’s thine,

In paradise," so prays the mother Mary.

Refrain: He came among us at Christmas time

At Christmas time in Bethlehem

Men shall bring him from far and wide,

Love’s diadem; Jesus, Jesus;

Lo, he comes and loves and saves and frees us.

Verse: "Gladly dear one, Lady mine

Help I cradle this Child of thine."

"God’s own light on us both shall shine,

In paradise," as prays the mother Mary.

Our chancel choir sang a stunning Howard Helvey arrangement of this carol last Christmas Eve. The text is an English translation from German. Joseph lieber, Joseph mein was associated with the tradition of a cradle-rocking service. In this type of service, the village’s baby born nearest to the date of Christmas is placed in a cradle in the sanctuary and rocked while the nativity story is told through acting, song and dance.

The authors of the tune and lyrics are unknown. The verses paint the picture of Mary and Joseph caring for the infant Jesus, and the refrain reminds us why the infant was sent. It made me think of God’s love for us, how he is cradling us, how he wants to meet our every need, how he wants the best for us. In many ways, I am still a child in the spiritual sense. I cry and fuss and insist on my own way. I may not understand what God is trying to tell me. In those less mature times, it is good to remember that I am a child of God.

Prayer | O Lord, my parent and guardian, thank you for loving me and knowing what I need. Thank you for fulfilling those needs even when I am angry, frustrated, or hurting. Help me, Lord, to trust you, even when I do not understand the world around me. Let me grow in my love for you, and be able to demonstrate your love to those around me. In the name of Jesus, who saves and frees us. Amen.

- Andy Truex, Music Director

Mark 1:1-8

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b] 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way”—

3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.’”

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The gospel of Mark begins with the exciting news that something big is about to happen. There is good news coming our way. We are to prepare for the promised coming of the Messiah. The Prophet Isaiah long ago proclaimed his coming, and now the time has come, but the messenger who announces God’s son is rather odd. He’s a man who lives in the desert baptizing people, he wears crazy clothes, and eats bugs and honey. John is the one whom God chose to introduce his precious son, and who John is should be a clue to us about how we receive this message. He is the one who announces, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” John is the forerunner of Jesus, and his message is much more important than it first might appear. If we think John is a boundary breaker, we should be asking, what will Jesus be? What does this mean for me?

Jesus of course turns out to be the ultimate boundary breaker. He reaches out to the outsiders in society, he eats with the outlaws with whom the religious leaders ignore, and he heals the outcast ones. He turns the status quo upside down, and the religious leaders who thought they knew it all were left behind, so what is John saying to us? John is sending a boundary breaking message to you and to me, but what is his message to us this Advent season?

Prayer | Gracious God, heighten our awareness to you, so we may respond to the message of John this Advent season. Give us the courage to seek you in the boundary breaking places of life. Empower us to reach out to the outcasts and outsiders. Give us the grace to love others like

Jesus in the deserted, lonely, and broken places. This Advent, guide us to answer the call you have placed on our lives, to order our lives like Jesus, and to love beyond all boundaries. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

-Rev. Val Stewart, Associate Pastor

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord

for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins

and restore the places long devastated;

they will renew the ruined cities

that have been devastated for generations.

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;

I hate robbery and wrongdoing.

In my faithfulness I will reward my people

and make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 Their descendants will be known among the nations

and their offspring among the peoples.

All who see them will acknowledge

that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

10 I delight greatly in the Lord;

my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation

and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,

as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up

and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness

and praise spring up before all nations.

I don’t know if the Hebrew prophet Isaiah had any idea of what God was going to do in sending our savior. He did, however, know what God does and what God seeks to do. Jesus quoted this prophecy when he told of who he was and what God had sent him to do (Luke 4:8). It’s what God does, seeks to do, and did for us in Jesus.

In this passage, there are three themes, all of which we see in the life of our Lord: release, redemption and rebuilding. These are things God still seeks to do, in each of our lives.

God has promised to release us from our sin, our brokenness, our polarization, and the spiritual poverty of our lives.God can release us from guilt and shame. God can release us from resentment and bitterness.

God redeems those who have been lost, who have been told or who feel they are worthless or unimportant. God claims us as his own, and calls us his own dear child. God has a special interest in those who are poor - whether economically, emotionally, relationally, or spiritually. We may have been - or presently are - among the brokenhearted, the captives, the prisoners, the mourners, or the despairing. God wants to help.

And God seeks to rebuild us into the image of his son Jesus, who loved, forgave, and who trusted God to the utmost. God seeks to rebuild our relationship with us by granting forgiveness, mercy, and new life in Christ. God rebuilds us by inviting us to follow Jesus’ example. God invites us to love, accept, forgive and help heal others in his name - just as he has done for each of us..

Which of these is God seeking to do in your life these days? Just remember what God does and

seeks to do is always good, so don’t be afraid to let it happen.

- Dr. Kevin Tully, Senior Pastor

John 1:6-8, 19-28

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

In a recent sermon, I shared what sometimes happens when I fly a commercial airline. Like many, I share pleasantries with the person sitting in the seat next to me. When friendly conversation follows, it’s not unusual for us to inquire about where each other is from and the like. When the person asks “what do you do for a living?” and I answer, “I’m a pastor”, one of two very different responses follow. In some cases, that’s the last they speak to me for the rest of the flight. In other cases, it’s not unusual for them to tell me about their faith and church. But the most common response I’ve heard is something along the lines of, “I used to go to church…” or “we’ve been meaning to get back to church…”

I know there are some who would say, “this is your chance to witness to them! See if you can get them to repent of their sins and get saved before the plane lands!” I prefer a different

approach. I simply say, “I hope you will. It’s good for you.” If I want to make it a bit more personal, I’ll say, “I hope you will. It’s really made a difference in my life.”

John the Baptist was asked about his role, who he was, and how he fit into God’s plan concerning the Messiah. He deflected attention from himself, and said his job was to point people in the direction of Jesus.

None of us can get someone else saved. But we can point them in the direction of the One who can and does save us. Salvation only comes through God’s grace and mercy, through the gifts of forgiveness and redemption. The testimony of what God through Christ has done for us is often the most powerful, authentic, and effective means through which we, like John, become “a witness to the light.”

When we have the opportunity, let’s point people in the direction of Jesus. Doing so is good for us, and good for them, too.

- Dr. Kevin Tully, Senior Pastor

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”

3 Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

4 But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:

5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’

8 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders[a] over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me[b]; your throne will be established forever.’”

I imagine we can understand Nathan. As a prophet, he was probably happy to hear Israel’s leader concerned with doing something grandiose for God! Without even thinking he gives David his full approval to build a beautiful temple for God. One would think that there is no way that this would not be a good thing. God, however, thinks differently.

Nathan is sent back to David to retract his previous approval for the Temple and delivers a new message. In this message from God, David is reminded that God has never needed a fancy house. Rather it has been better that God has not needed a house because this means that God has been with David everywhere David has gone! God was out tending sheep with David. God was there leading David to royal status. God was in the battle field with David’s people.

While building a magnificent temple might seem like a nice thing to do as someone who follows God, perhaps it misses the whole point of what makes God so amazing for God’s people. God has never “settled down”. God goes with God’s people wherever they might be. It is easy for 21st century Christians to forget this as well. There may be things we have planned to do as Christians that are good things done from good intention. But it is also easy in all our attempts to do something big in our faith journey to miss the fact that God can ALWAYS be found near. God is in everything, even little things. When we limit God to just the big things we have planned, we limit the God who wants us to be able to find him anywhere and everywhere. This season it may be easy to expect God to be in Christmas Eve services or in special gatherings with those we love, but do not limit God to those things alone. God is with you when stores begin to stress you out. God is with you when you are laying on the couch after a long day. God is with you as you make your cup of coffee in the morning. God is with you… even now…

- Seth Jones, Youth Director

The Third Sunday of Advent: JOY

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels.

O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

John Francis Wade, a Roman Catholic, fled religious persecution in England in 1745, settling in France. As a way of earning money, he became a copyist of musical scores. Although it was initially believed that Wade copied Adeste Fidelis from an ancient hymn, it is now believed that he was the original author. He passed away in 1786 at the age of seventy-five. In 1845, Frederick Oakeley, an Anglican minister who would later convert to Catholicism, did his best to translate Wade’s Latin text to the English words we know as O Come, All Ye Faithful.

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent, the day we light the candle of Joy. What does joy look like to you? I am reminded of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol and the morning Scrooge wakes up and realizes that he has a second chance to make things right. The once grumpy, selfish man has spent the night being haunted by spirits who show him the negative consequences of his actions. Seeing the error of his ways, he is determined to change. It is a story of redemption. We all know the tale, and I bet you have your favorite movie version. (Incidentally, if you need a good belly laugh today, I suggest watching “A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong”.)

I can relate to Scrooge, both the grumpy and selfish one and the redeemed one. And I admit that there are many mornings when I wake up and I don’t feel joyful at all. Sometimes for me, extra time in prayer is what I need. But other times, I think if I will be a person of action, the joyful feeling will eventually come. Scrooge demonstrated joy that morning through singing and dancing and laughing. But he was also moved to action. He gave to charity. He mended relationships with family. He fed the hungry and showed compassion to the downtrodden. He was no longer the same person.

We are people with joy because we know what God has done for us. This knowledge brings a change that starts on the inside that leads to changes in behavior. So, let me ask you: do you feel joyful and triumphant today? If you don’t, maybe a little extra time in prayer is needed. But perhaps a little action is what the Great Physician has ordered.

- Andy Truex, Music Director

Romans 16:25-27

25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

The last two verses at the end of Romans are classified as a doxology, a song of praise to God’s glory given to us through the gift of Jesus Christ. This song announces God’s mystery of the ages revealed in the Advent and Christmas stories. The Apostle Paul writes in our scripture text that this mystery of faith is for all people.

This song is an announcement that uncovers the divine secrets of salvation that God unfolded through the ages. First God revealed these secrets in private through the prophets, to Mary, to Elizabeth, to Zechariah, and to Joseph. Those were personal revelations, and then the message spread to the community. The divine secret was revealed in the gospel, the good news of Jesus given for all humanity through the celebrations of the angels, the shepherds, the Magi, the disciples and apostles, throughout the ages, and continues to us.

This divine mystery of God, the good news of Jesus Christ has come into the world to accomplish God’s divine purpose of salvation offered for all. Jesus came so we could know peace and reconciliation between ourselves and God. This doxology connects the Advent stories to the birth of Jesus. It seems the good news cannot be contained between a few people for only a short time. Did you notice that God used ordinary human beings to reveal the mystery of faith and salvation? The mystery is not a secret to keep for ourselves. God revealed this glory for us to share. God is calling us to go, and share the joy and good news of Jesus in this Advent season. God continues the on-going revelation of salvation for all people, and we are called to be a part of the legacy of the prophets, of Mary, of Elizabeth, of Zechariah, and of Joseph. We are called to proclaim Christ as the angels, the shepherds, the Magi, the disciples and apostles did. Through our faith and obedience, we continue to proclaim the glory and salvation of God revealed in our lives.

Prayer: Holy God, thank you for revealing the mystery of faith and salvation through Jesus. Throughout the season of Advent, prepare our hearts and minds to seek your glory, so we may share the gift of grace and salvation given to us. Enable us to proclaim Jesus in all we do and say. We pray all these things in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

- Rev. Val Stewart, Associate Pastor

Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

As we grow older and more mature in our faith, we have more experiences, both positive and negative. We witness things that are good, as well as things that are evil. These enter into our struggle to love and forgive despite hatred and persecution. They impact our ability to trust in God’s goodness when terrible and tragic things happen. They tempt us to either “take matters into our own hands” or give in to hopelessness. It might be true that “everything always works out”, but only in the sense that time inexorably moves on regardless of what happens. The truth is that things don’t always work out in good or positive ways, and certainly not on the timetable we want. War happens. Children die. People starve. Sickness, disease, and pain bring despair, grief and loss.

Like Mary, even as my faith tells me that God will work things out, I ask, “How will this be?”

An honest reading of the Bible text above reveals that Mary’s question wasn’t answered very well, except in vague terms - “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Nothing about him becoming an itinerant preacher, nothing about dealing with the shame of premarital pregnancy in that place and time, nothing about the rejection her son would endure, nor his terrible and unjust crucifixion. Just, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most high will overshadow you.”

And yet she said, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.” In those words, I find direction for living, and strength for trusting God whatever comes. In our willingness to be used by God, we give birth to something that we may not see come to fruition -at least not in our lifetimes. But we can be sure that every act of submission to God’s will is used by God for his divine purposes - both in and through us. Mary’s willingness became God’s gift to the whole world, forever. Thanks be to God!

- Dr. Kevin Tully, Senior Pastor

Psalm 96

1 Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;

proclaim his salvation day after day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come into his courts.

9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness;

tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;

He will judge the people with equity.

11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

let the sea resound, and all that is in it.

12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;

let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,

he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples in his faithfulness.

God made this world and it is his world. There is really no God like my God. Jesus was born the Son of God, the resurrection confirmed this. Jesus is over all things physical and heavenly. As we try to understand the power and splendor that is God, we see we have no reason to ever doubt him. It’s a great and wonderful thing to know that he uses this power in our lives daily.

Prayer: Father God, it is with humility that I can admit how small I am and how wonderful you are in this world. I need you every second of every day, to help me with all that confronts me. I know I need to commit all to you, for you to help me. Be patient with me Father. In your name I pray, Amen.

- Karon Meredith, Church Secretary

Isaiah 9:2-7

2 The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned.

3 You have enlarged the nation

and increased their joy;

they rejoice before you

as people rejoice at the harvest,

as warriors rejoice

when dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,

you have shattered

the yoke that burdens them,

the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor.

5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle

and every garment rolled in blood

will be destined for burning,

will be fuel for the fire.

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this.

There is a reality that confronts us in this season of light. In our world there is darkness, but Christ is coming to break through the darkness with hope and peace. The hope and peace of Christ shines through the dark places of our lives. The light of Christ brings us the promise of God’s love and grace. Christ’s light comes to restore the world with redeeming love and abundant grace.

In our scripture, the Prophet Isaiah is proclaiming the good news of salvation that is coming for all humanity in the form of a promised child. We identify this child sent from God as our Messiah who came to earth as Immanuel, God with us. This child is both human and divine, so he brings to each one of us the assurance of righteousness with God. His presence breaks down walls between people by the power of love, grace, and mercy. This child is the good news of God’s active transformative presence in the world. He comes to be our savior. He comes to be the light and life of all people.

There are only two more days until Christmas Eve when we will again celebrate the light that pierces through the darkness. Each one of us will receive the light of Christ present with us as the light is shared, and passed among us throughout the Sanctuary. As we hold our candle, the source of the light will come again to each one from the Christ Candle. We’ll sing Silent Night holding our candles as the light of Christ gleams through the darkness. The light from the candles will illuminate the room, but Christ’s light will shine beyond the space, and come into our hearts once again.

Prayer: Holy God, we anticipate the coming of Jesus, the light of the world. May Christ illuminate the darkness in us and around us, so we may once again live in your blazing light of salvation. In the name of Jesus, the light and life of the world. Amen.

- Rev. Val Stewart, Associate Pastor

Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

The central message of Titus 2:11-14 reveals to us the magnitude of God's love and grace. God's grace has not only appeared to offer us salvation but also serves as a guide in our lives, teaching us to reject ungodliness and worldly passions. Each day, we are called to live righteously, with self-control, and in harmony with the divine, even as we await with hope the glorious return of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This passage reminds us that Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for us, not only to redeem us from wickedness but also to purify us, so that we may be a unique people, dedicated and eager to do good.

Now, think about this: God's grace is not just a gift but a tool, a compass, that guides us in our daily journey. It prepares and purifies us, constantly reminding us of our divine purpose. And here's the part that will truly make you reflect: If God's grace is so powerful that it transforms and guides us, imagine how immense and profound is the love of God that propelled that grace. That love, that vast love, is what gives us the ability to look beyond our circumstances, beyond our mistakes, and see a life full of purpose, hope, and a bright future. Because when we understand the depth of that love, it not only changes our perspective but changes our entire being. That is the potency of God's grace and love!

- Jesus & Lili Molina, Alpha Ministry

The Fourth Sunday of Advent: PEACE

Good King Wenceslas

Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,

When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.

Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel.

When a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel.

“Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither,

You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”

Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing,

You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.

With words written by the Anglican minister John Mason Neale, this carol details the actions of the Duke of Bohemia. Wenceslas, who lived and reigned in the 10th century, was a very different kind of ruler. He worked for peace among neighboring countries. He encouraged the building of churches. He sought to decrease the number of death sentences and curtail the powers of judges. He cared for the poor, even chopping firewood and bringing it to orphans and widows, along with food and drink. His life was cut short by an assassination at age 22, but even in just a few years, his actions left a mark on this world. He was posthumously given the title of king by Holy Roman Emperor Otto the I and is known as the patron saint of the Czech people.

Today is the 4th Sunday of Advent, when we light the candle of Peace. I wonder how much more peaceful the world would be if more of the kings and presidents lived as Wenceslas did. It is unfortunate that this is not the case, but thankfully God calls us to do many of the same things this man did, whether we are princes or paupers, rulers or subjects. I am sure that you have had a hectic Advent season, and I do hope that you find some time to rest and find some inner peace. However, once you are rested, I hope you are ready to hit the ground running, going about the work of the kingdom to strive for peace, to build the church, and to care for the poor and misfortunate. Those New Year’s resolutions are just around the corner!

Prayer: God, we thank you for the gift of the Advent season, and the attention it draws to your Son and his meaning in our lives. Help us to remember the encouragement from the Apostle Paul to not grow weary in doing good. We pray that the world will see the Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace that we read about, and speak about, through our actions. In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, amen.

- Andy Truex, Music Director

Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

People worry about having a perfect Christmas. We spend money (often too much!) on decorations and parties, we stress over meals and finding just the right gift. And yes, pastors and church staff members fret over worship services, music, liturgy, children’s plays and pageants, attendance, budgets, and a whole host of other things.

But it’s not the accouterments and accessories that make for a perfect Christmas. Think of the first Christmas and Jesus’ birth. Smelly shepherds showing up unannounced, having to birth a baby away from home and in a stable, with all the smell and noises and germs and dirt that go along with such a place. And then, all the uncertainty: would the baby survive? (mortality rates were high). Would he nurse? How are we going to travel back home with a newborn?

And yet, it was perfect.

It is not what we bring to Christmas that makes it perfect; it is God coming to us. It is not the successful party determined by who shows up, it is the love and mercy of God, come to be with us. It’s not creating the perfect meal - it’s God, feeding us with the one called “the bread of life.”

So, enjoy the good news of this day. Christmas! Emmanuel, God with us! In the midst of all we try to do to make things the best they can be, don’t worry. God has already done the best thing ever, for all of us.

Merry, happy, restful, and blessed Christmas to you and yours.

- Dr. Kevin Tully, Senior Pastor