Advent 2013
We’ve all seen the signs: "Repent, believe, the end is near." They are held high, often at busy street intersections or large sporting events by well-meaning evangelists. They warn us to get ready and to prepare for the end of the world as we know it.
There are passages of scripture that warn us to prepare for a mysterious day when Christ will come again. More than that though, scripture is a story of beginnings. God always seems to be creating something new. There are new days, new seasons, new leaders, new life, & new creations. Even in the imagining the end, there is talk of a new heaven & a new earth.
So, why are we so caught up in preparing for the end?Maybe it fits our modern day preoccupation with deadlines & definitions, maybe it lets us off the hook from having responsibility for caring about the world & all its suffering now.... or maybe it's because we are missing the point.
When we look at God's larger story, instead of always anticipating the end, it seems more appropirate that we spend our time and energy preparing for a beginning.
Advent, the beginning of a new church year, is a time of prepration and anticipation. It is the perfect time to think about the new beginnings that are before us. What might happen if we began to prepare ourselves to see and live as if God is creating new possibilities and potentials? What signs might we begin seeing? Where could they lead us? What changes, directions and endeavors might unfold?
Our Advent season begins this Sunday, December 1st. We will focus our time on seeing how "The Beginning is Near" as we come together in worship & small group gatherings. It promises to be an exciting time of seeing, listening and serving together. Here is a glimpse of what is to come. It will be such a richer time if you are part of it.Dec. 1: Beyond BrokenLighting the Candle of PeaceIsaiah 2:1-5Dec. 8: Beyond ComplacencyLighting the Candle of RepentanceMatthew 3:1-12Dec. 15: Beyond ConfusionLighting the Candle of PatienceMatthew 11:2-11December 22: Beyond the NormLighting the Candle of ImaginationMatthew 1:18-25Chirst has come, Christ is coming and Christ will come again. However you choose to spend this time of anticipation, we wish you much peace, joy, hope & love!