Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
1st Sunday in Advent ? December 2nd The season of Advent is about the arrival of the king to his kingdom. The Church?s Advent season begins with the arrival of Jesus on a donkey to the cheers of the crowd. Not to be upstaged or overshadowed, the shopping malls and downtown merchants associations began their season of Advent with the arrival of Santa Claus on a fire engine to the cheers of the children. Clothes and branches are laid down at the feet of Jesus. Check books and Visa cards are laid down at the feet of Santa. Two questions begging for our answer. The one asks, ?what?s in your wallet?? The other asks, ?what?s in your heart?? The one has done all the clever marketing surveys and offers us just what we want ? on sale. The other knows us better than we know ourselves and offers us just what we need ? for free. Two voices vying for our attention. The one voice says, ?Behold, the flat-screen TV.? The other says, ?Behold, your King!?
The church has been observing the season of Advent since 900 AD. But I don?t think that it has ever been more important for the Church to observe this season carefully and diligently than in these last days, when the competition for our attention is at it?s fiercest. My friends, I urge you to be diligent in attending worship and bible study, in prayer and devotion during the season of Advent. ?So let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.? (Romans 13:12)
Readings for this Sunday Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 21:1-11
Sermon ?He Will Come Again To Judge? – Isaiah 2:1-5
Sunday School this Sunday ? 8:45am. This week?s Sunday School lesson is the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist Luke (1:5?25). The children will learn that God in His mercy promised to send John to prepare sinful people for the coming of the Lord. In His Word, God calls us (sinful people) to repentance, declaring us righteous because of His Son, Jesus.
Adult Bible Study Forum – 8:45am. 1 Corinthians 6 – ?Sexual Immorality Among The Corinthians.? How does this stuff happen?
Christmas Craft Fair – This Saturday, 9:00am. ? 2:00pm. Help is needed to set things up. If you can spare some time on Friday, it would be greatly appreciated by these women who have worked hard all year to put this annual fair together. We?ll have a chance to do our own shopping after worship on Sunday.
Have a blessed day! See you Sunday, Pastor Nielsen