Dear Advent people,
I remember sitting in the heat of this summer thinking, “I wish it were time for Christmas decorations…” and suddenly, in the blink of an eye, here we are. The Chrismon trees are going up as we speak, Advent Offering tags are being created, and garland, lights, and wreaths are being hung. The Advent season has begun!
Thank you to everyone who participated in Giving Tuesday in support of our new Missions partner, Sleep In Heavenly Peace (SHP). Our goal was to raise $5,000, and you exceeded that in raising $6,921! I’m so excited that we will once again have a chance to build beds on Saturday in our parking lot with SHP. Already 100 people have signed up for the build day, and there’s still time to sign up to join us. Click here to register and we’ll see you on December 2.
This Sunday we begin our Advent series called The Presence of Christmas, as we consider how the presence of the Christ child brings hope for our past, peace for our present, joy for our future, and love for the world. We will be focusing on Scripture from the prophet Isaiah, with Pastor Melissa leading all of our podcast lectures for the season (the latest episode is available wherever you get your podcasts, or by clicking here).
Part of our discipline of Advent, which is a liturgical time of reflection and preparation of our hearts and minds for the coming of Christmas, is to give to our Advent Offering. This year we want to continue the tradition of helping you choose a YES offering to our ongoing ministries budget to support the children, youth, and adults in our congregation in spiritual formation and belonging, AND an offering to missional ministries beyond our budget supporting children and families in our community. Whatever you give may you do so out of the power of the love of Christ’s birth in YOUR life. You can pick up a tag in each worship venue starting this Sunday to learn more about this special offering.
I can’t wait to see you in worship this week as we begin our Advent journey together. Your PRESENCE is just the PRESENT I need to begin this season with hope, peace, joy, and love.
With great anticipation,
Jenn.