Slideshow image

Well, it is less than two weeks to Christmas. I hope you are excited for the second half of December. On Saturday, we have our community outreach through the Journey to the Nativity. Invite your friends, neighbors, co-workers to this special recreation of the birth of Jesus. I always enjoy this event and seeing the church working together to creatively tell the story of Jesus’ birth. My thanks to Diane Herr and her great team and to all the volunteers who will help make this year’s Journey to the Nativity so meaningful.

On Wednesday evening this week, we concluded our Great Passages Bible study by looking at John 20 and the resurrection of Jesus. Might seem a bit odd to be studying the resurrection of Jesus just two weeks before the celebration of His birth, but as we shared on Wednesday, it is the resurrection that makes Jesus’ birth worth celebrating. I have heard it said that the resurrection is God’s amen to the crucifixion. Yes, it is great to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Emmanuel—God with us is extremely important. But let us always remember that our salvation wasn’t secured in a wooden manger, but on a wooden cross. I remember years ago at a Christmas eve Candlelight service I was leading, that after we lit our candles and sang “Silent Night” we then sang “The Old Rugged Cross.” We need to celebrate all of Jesus’ life—His birth, His death, and His resurrection.

Last Sunday we celebrated the second Sunday of Advent season by sharing about peace. We will continue the series “God With Us” this Sunday with a message on the joy that Christ’s birth brings. It was a quieter week at the church this week, but it will be a busy weekend with the Journey to the Nativity and Sunday Services. Keep in mind that Christmas caroling is happening on Wednesday evening after the Roots Meal and we are preparing for our Candlelight Communion Service on Sunday, December 22nd at 7:00 pm. As a reminder, this Sunday we are receiving our Christmas offering.

Our building enhancements are winding down and the transition of the COM ministry to the lower level will begin in earnest next week. Ken Rutt will be giving an update on the remaining funding that is needed to complete and pay for the project this Sunday. The new entrance doors should be fully functional within a week. My thanks to the Project Team and the Finance team and Ken Rutt and Janae McMichael who did so much to manage the project that began back in May. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” What a wonderful promise for every believer and every church.

I was able to visit Mel Shaub, Jim Kreider, Anna Jane Glisson, Charlie and Edna Wagner, and Charlotte Miller this week. In addition, we prayed for Jim Showalter and Ben Wenger and their surgeries this week. Ben’s surgery went well but he still needs prayer. Jim’s surgery will require further follow-up treatments. Your prayers and encouragement for both of them are needed.

Ruth and I are in Harrisburg today. We hope to arrive back home tonight or early Saturday morning. I am hoping to complete my Christmas shopping today and perhaps this weekend, get the gifts wrapped that are stashed throughout the house. I was able to get our family’s Christmas letter out last weekend. Ruth has been busy making cookies, wrapping gifts, and making our annual light bulb ornament. The excitement for Christmas is building in our home.

I hope that the excitement for Christmas is evident in your life as well. As I was again living in the Christmas story this week, I couldn’t help but think of Mary and Joseph and what was going through their minds as they are brought into the very heart of this miracle. How does one prepare to raise from an infant who is the very Son of God? The Christmas story still amazes me and the truth that God is with us, Emmanuel, means more to me each year. Isaiah predicted as much in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel.”

Friends, it is still good news of great joy and come Sunday we are going to celebrate the joy that Jesus’ birth brings. As we light the third candle of Advent and sing the songs of Christmas, we will remember that there still is good news of great joy, and it is for all people. So, let’s come together Sunday with joy as we continue our Advent journey of Emmanuel, God with us. 

Have a great weekend. I will see many of you on Saturday at the Journey to the Nativity and look forward to worshiping with you with great joy come Sunday. Remember it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Kevin