Service Folder Theme: Rejoice! When God told 99 year old Abraham that he and his 89 year old wife, Sarah, who were childless, would have a son within the year, Abraham laughed with joy. Their son Isaac would be the ancestor of Jesus, Jesus is the reason the apostle appeals to us, “Rejoice …for the Lord is at hand!” John the Baptist…
Service Folder Theme: Poinsettias Our preparation for Christmas includes decorating with poinsettias. Poinsettias are a popular plant given as household gifts and altar flowers. These vibrant flowers also can help us reflect on the advent (or coming) of Jesus during Advent.
Service Folder Forerunners of Christ The coming of the Promised Savior, Jesus, was foretold throughout the Old Testament. Noah was among those. Immediately after the flood he built an altar to the Lord and sacrificed a burnt offering pointing to Jesus’ sacrificial offering on the altar of the cross. Others foretold Jesus coming – among them, Moses, David, and Isaiah. Finally, John…
Service Folder We decorate in preparation for Christmas. Our decoration preparation includes the use of lights—from candles to string lights. These luminous decorations also help us prepare for the advent (or coming) of Jesus during Advent, a season of preparation. Tomorrow we will consider how lights point us to the coming of Christ and the glory He brings.
Service Folder Advent 2 is the Sunday of hope. We hope for many things in this life, but whatever hopes we have here eventually disappoint. God gives us a hope, though, that will not disappoint – Jesus’ second advent (coming). God promises Jesus’ second advent. God will keep his promise. Hope waits on God to keep his promise. A good example. of…
Service Folder This year’s theme is: EVERY HEART PREPARE We decorate in preparation for Christmas. In November and December people spend hours putting up lights in their living space and ornaments on their evergreens. Poinsettias are placed on the mantel and presents under the tree, and we “deck the halls with boughs of holly.” These Christmas decorations bring enjoyment and anticipation to…
Service Folder The season of Advent, begins by focusing on the lowly coming of Jesus. His coming was first promised when Adam and Eve fell to the devil’s temptation in paradise. When they fell, all humanity fell with them and paradise was broken. Fast forward four millenia, Matthew shows us Promised Savior: “Behold, your king is coming to you, lowly and riding…