From your pastor…
As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them… (John 17: 18)
Can you believe that it is Christmas time again? The years go speeding by us. It seems that time speeds up each year. Where does it go? This Christmas, we are going to use the new book SENT: Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmas as our focus for Advent and Christmas Eve. The book is written by Jorge Acevedo, Jacob Armstrong, Rachel Billups, Justin LaRosa, and Lanecia Rouse. This Advent journey will help us discover how, where, and why we are sent. We will be using the book for preaching. You can order a devotional book from www.Cokesbury.com that matches the series. If you would like to read the Scripture focus ahead of time, the following will be the sermon titles and Scriptures from the book:
| Date | Sermon | Verses |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 30 | Jesus Reconciles | Luke 2: 8-20 |
| Dec. 6 | Jesus Sets Us Free | Luke 4: 16-19 |
| Dec. 13 | Jesus Is God With Us | Matthew 1: 18-25 |
| Dec. 20 | Jesus Brings New Life | Ezekiel 37: 1-14 |
| Dec. 24 | Jesus Changes Everything | Galatians 4:4a |
Many times during the Christmas season, we may find ourselves stressed and lacking a spiritual focus. Christmas has become so commercialized that we forget the purpose of Christmas. We celebrate the coming of Jesus, and as He was sent from heaven to earth, so He sends us out into the world to share His love and grace with others. As we meet people who may be overwhelmed at the cash register, on the phone, or at the mall, let us be filled with love and grace for each person we meet. Who knows? God may have sent us to be an angel for them.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Becky