First Sunday in Advent

I wonder what Isaiah thought when he spoke these words?

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;  Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.—Isaiah 7:14

Can you imagine saying something so impossible to your friends…your family…an entire nation?  I wonder, did the prophet question his own sanity?  Could he have wondered, “Am I going crazy?”

That wasn't the end of Isaiah’s telling.  He goes on to say:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.—Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah might not have known exactly when this miracle would happen but he knew it would.  He even knew how.  Most of all he knew exactly what kind of Savior was coming.

The first candle signifies hope. A light is coming into the world. The hope of all the ends of the earth.

(Light the first candle of your wreath.  This candle should be lit each day from now until Christmas.  Maybe at supper each night is a good time.)

Isaiah called him Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  He called him Immanuel which means God with us.  And that’s the best truth of all.  God stripping himself of all glory and coming as a baby.  Tying himself down in flesh and bones just like us.

Take time to share with those around you how Jesus has been mighty or wonderful or peace to you in your life…or maybe even this past week.

Pray:  God we are waiting.  Waiting to celebrate you coming to us in flesh and bones.  Help us remember that you are here with us in the waiting.  We celebrate your coming.  In Jesus name, amen.

Don't Forget... Give Thanks

This past Sunday, Rev. Osteen brought our attention to the importance of giving thanks to God.

Read Luke 17:11-19. If you don't have a Bible with you, click the scripture reference to read online.

Pastor Bonnie reminded us how quick we are to take credit for the good things that come into our lives:

We forget where our blessings come from.

We forget to thank Him.

I write this on the eve of Thanksgiving. Thinking about this message, and the importance of thanks, some other verses come to mind.

God knows our bent toward forgetfulness. He warned the Israelites before entering the Promised Land about this exact issue.

"And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers,

to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you --- with great and good cities

that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill,

and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant---

and when you eat and are full, then take care lest you forget the Lord,

who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. ..."

Deuteronomy 6:10-12 ESV

And Paul, to the Romans, warns of the darkness that overcomes when we forget to give thanks to Him.

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God

or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking,

and their foolish hearts were darkened. 

Claiming to be wise, they became fools...

Romans 1:21-22 ESV

To be thank-less is dangerous business and skews our perception of reality.

So, beginning this Thanksgiving, make it a spiritual discipline to begin thanking God --- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit --- for all things.

Don't forget... give thanks...

Give thanks in everything,

for this is God's will for you

in Christ Jesus.

1Thessalonians 5:18 HCSB

Carol Weaver

Before Advent begins...

Advent Wreath’s Story

Each Advent season those who decorate our church place the Advent wreath in the sanctuary.  I love to watch each year as families light the candles every Sunday.  The wreath is a symbol of waiting.  God’s people waiting thousands of years for the Messiah.  Still today we are waiting.  Each candle represents a week of waiting.  Waiting to celebrate the birth of Jesus…waiting for Him to return.

The church sanctuary is not the only place for Advent wreathes.  Many celebrate this tradition in their homes as well.  It’s a great way to take a moment to stop and remind ourselves what all the hustle and bustle is really about.  I can just imagine families all over the world gathering to light the candle each Sunday.  Faces glowing as they read His word which points us to the fact that we don’t have to wait much longer.  For He is coming…the Light of the World.

As we wrap up our Thanksgiving celebrations maybe we  should take time to consider this tradition in our homes.  Before the first Sunday in Advent gather those around and create your own Advent wreath.  Five candles placed on a plate or in a circle with some greenery is all you really need. Four on the edge and the tallest in the middle.  Let the children help out.  Maybe they can gather a pinecone or two or a nice bow to complete your wreath.

If you want to go all out there are many ideas on the internet.  Whether simple or more elaborate, this is a tradition that helps us to remember right in the midst of the busiest season of the year, that Jesus…He’s worth the wait!

Behind the worship

When she asked me I said yes, but inside I cringed.  The times I've attempted it before were a lot like pulling teeth and I just wasn't sure this time would be any different.  Quite frankly...my attitude stunk.  I thought about it all day after our meeting.  What does it look like for children to lead worship?  Should I just plug them into what we already do?  Will they be able to do it?  All the things that could go wrong marched across my thoughts like little soldiers.  In the car going home I prayed, you are going to have do this one God...I am way out of my comfort zone.

My friend challenged me with one statement. "If you're gonna have a worship service led by kids, then create it that way.  Don't try to get them to lead like adults."  I spent a lot of time praying about this one, and slowly an idea formed.  Over the next few weeks God inspired a theme and pieces fell into place.  I called and e-mailed parents...asked kids to read and lead and sing.  Not one turned me down.  In fact they were excited. 

One week before the service, I woke up panicked.  Would it all come together?  Is this really possible?  You see, down deep in my heart, I didn't want this to be about kids performing on a stage.  I wanted worship...authentic worship led by young ones.  At practice that evening I reminded the children how awesome it was they would leading worship.  I reminded them it doesn't matter what your age is, God is glorified when we offer our gifts and talent to Him.  Worship is about Him...leading others to Him.

I kept one thing in mind as I journeyed through the next week.  "This is not about performance but your presence Lord".  Last Sunday morning I woke up with a song in my heart and a peace I don't quite understand.  I prayed one sentence as I shut the front door...Lord, worship is yours so you're going to have to show up.

I would like to say the morning's practice went off without a hitch.  No one was nervous and we remembered all of our lines.  I would love to say it...but it wouldn't be the truth.  God was gently pushing my little friends and I out of our comfort zones and we were well...uncomfortable!  We finished up and I gathered those sweet ones around.  "Touch a friend" I said to them.  It's not cool to hold hands at this age.  We bowed our heads and I prayed...prayed for them...prayed for those who would come to worship.  We asked Jesus to be the focus not us.  We offered up our gifts as a sacrifice to glorify His name.  It was the most special moment for me.

The rest is history I guess you could say.  What awesome worship we had!

Conviction runs deep when you realize your attitude could have gotten in the way of what God wanted to do.  The children led us in amazing worship.  Behind the worship, they led me to a lesson I won't soon forget. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.--Proverbs 3: 5-6

Is Jesus Your Superhero?

Children ministered to us in worship this past Sunday. Faithfully leading us into His presence through song, Word, and prayer. Hebrews 11:17-40 laid the foundation for the service and Rev. Osteen's message. Read it now. If you don't have a Bible with you, click the Scripture reference to read online.

With children leading worship, several verses came to mind as they sang and prayed...

"From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise..."

Matthew 21:16 NIV84

... and a little child shall lead them.

Isaiah 11:6 ESV

And that is what happened: ordained praise from the lips of children leading us in worship.

Jesus said:

"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them,

for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 19:14 ESV

The theme of worship, Jesus is My Superhero, reflected the truth of this verse. Children believe in superheros and miracles and powers far beyond anything the world has to offer.

And I wonder... Do I consider Him my Superhero? Do you? Or have we lost our childlike hearts, the faith to believe in such powerful wonders?

Journeying through the book of Judges in Sunday School this week, reminded me of the importance of being passionate and diligent when it comes to my faith. 

...and there arose another generation after them 

who did not know (recognize, understand) the Lord, 

or even the work which he had done for Israel.

Judges 2:10 Amp

The sobering possibility of a generation coming behind not knowing Jesus is terrifying. It is our responsibility --- yours and mine --- to make sure the next generation does not forget, but knows, recognizes, and understands God to such a degree that they love, serve, and fear Him.

Pastor Bonnie told us: 

Faith is not simply believing there is a God --- there is a trust... 

By faith we allow God to transform us into a vessel of love.

Are you trusting Him, by faith, to transform you into a vessel of love? for Him? for others?

Through our own passion and diligence in following Jesus and serving Him, we become a testimony to those around us for who He is and what He has done.

We also have an opportunity to be a hero of the faith, like those listed in Hebrews 11. Trust Him with childlike faith, experience Him yourself firsthand, and share your story with the next generation.

Be a hero of the faith, raise up a future hero.

Just like the beginnings of those who led us this past Sunday...

Carol Weaver

Good Reason to Press On

Philippians 3:12-16 was the Scripture reading this past Sunday.
Take a moment to read it now. If you find yourself without a Bible, click the reference above to read on BibleGateway.com.

Pastor Bonnie began by sharing the story of Wrong Way Silva. In the lead of the New York Marathon, he took a wrong turn. When he realized what he'd done, he turned around, but found himself behind those who were previously trailing him. His detour delayed him, yet he somehow found it in himself to press on and win by the closest margin in the history of the race.

This turning around, when we find ourselves going the wrong direction, is an important part of our spiritual journey.

When we make a wrong turn, 

we have to turn around to get back on track.

There are many temptations that try to keep us going in the wrong direction. Pride: I can surely figure a way to make this right. Despair: There's no use... I've ruined everything. Fear: I can't turn back, what will other people think? Complacency: Oh... nobody's perfect!

But to not turn around, when we've turned wrong, always leads to a dead end! Maybe not literal death, but death of relationships, death of dreams, the end of our spiritual growth.

In Christ, we always have room to grow, press forward for more, no matter how old we are or what we have attained. And there's always potential for making wrong turns, but He always provides the grace to turnaround --- repent.

...I press on to make [perfection] my own, 

because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Philippians 3:12 ESV

To walk with Christ is to pursue Perfection. And the best reason to pursue Him: He has made you His own.

A Scripture came to mind, during worship...

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21 ESV

To live is Christ paints the picture of taking up your cross and carrying it daily. Living each day like Him, pressing on, dying to self's desires, and obeying the Father's voice. Every moment of every day.

To die is gain tells us leaving this natural realm puts us wholly in His presence, where our current focus is to be. This is why we press on.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:1-3 NIV84

Yes, we have good reason to press on. A gracious God who died for us, who has made us His own.

When you discover you've made a wrong turn in your life, turn around, quickly and with a firm commitment to reach the goal --- Christ Jesus.

I press on toward the goal for the prize 

of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14 ESV

Carol Weaver