December 2024 - The King is Coming
Earlier today, I talked with the kids during the Children’s Sermon about what they want to do when they grow up… some of us are still trying to figure that out. We wondered what Jesus thought he might be someday when he was there age… He is fully human, so that would be natural. We discover that he was born to be a king. This morning was Christ the King Sunday. It is the last Sunday of the liturgical year which begins anew on December 1st with the First Sunday of Advent.
We move from the celebration of Christ as our King in anticipation of Christ’s second coming, even as we enter the season of preparation (Advent) to celebrate the birth of Christ. It is a cycle that we repeat year after year as a reminder of our story, which is the story of how God seeks to be in relationship with each of us.
During the last month, we practiced Counting Our Blessings! The first Sunday of November we remembered those who died during the last year and were reminded of the promise that the best is yet to come. The second Sunday of November we were reminded of the Blessing of Relationship that we have with each other. We need to remember to give thanks for the people who God has put into our lives, walk alongside those who are carrying a heavy burden, and encourage them in their walk with Christ.
The third Sunday of November we were reminded of the best relationship of all as we give thanks for our Blessing of Salvation through Jesus Christ. We need to take time each day to remind ourselves we don’t earn our relationship with God, that gift has already been given us; to reflect on ways our life still needs transformed and seek God’s help; and to share the good news of the gift of salvation with others.
The fourth Sunday of November we were reminded of the Blessing of Provision as God meets our needs spiritually, emotionally, and materially. We need to practice gratitude for what God has already provided, develop contentment that we have enough, and trust God with our future turning our worries into prayers.
This Wednesday evening at the Community Thanksgiving Service we will be reminded of the Blessing of Hope. It is a great way to conclude Counting Our Blessings as we also move into the season of Advent in which we celebrate the hope we have in the coming of Christ. Count your blessings, and name them one by one for God has been faithful and the one who started a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.
At the start of the New Testament, Israel is enduring a 400-year silence from God, in which they experienced hopelessness, shame, sadness, and isolation. Then, suddenly, the silence is broken. Angels speak and sing of the coming of the Messiah in the birth of a child. This child will bring hope, peace, joy, and love. The four Sundays of Advent will use select passages from chapters 1 and 2 of Luke using key scenes from The Chosen’s Christmas special “Holy Night”.
Worship starts at 9:30 AM each Sunday. On Christmas Eve, December 24th, we will gather for worship at 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Communion will be celebrated at the 11:00 PM worship and both worship services will celebrate the lighting of the individual candles as we honor the birth of Christ.
Come join us on the journey that leads to Christmas!
Come join us on the journey that leads to new life in Christ!
Blessings!
Pastor Alan
