An Advent Message

By Nick Pegelow, Church Council Vice President

As we enter the season of Advent, we enter a time of waiting, preparation,    anticipation, and contemplation. A time for self-examination of our lives and   actions in preparation for the return of Christ in the second coming. A time to slow down and ponder God’s incarnation, The Word made flesh, the baby in Bethlehem. A time for us to search for Emmanuel, God with Us in our community and our everyday lives. This year at Faith the seasonal theme of  Advent 2021 is God Among Us which is an adaptation of Emmanuel or God with Us. Each of the four weeks of Advent will blend this theme into the traditional weekly themes: Hope Among Us, Peace Among Us, Joy Among Us, Love Among Us. All leading up to the celebration of the Nativity, Christ Among Us.

Incorporating ideas from the congregation and ministry team members, our   Advent liturgies will be familiar, and we will draw from our rich Advent hymnody to emphasize the themes of the season. All are encouraged to take your       bulletins home weekly and reflect on the hymns & texts as part of your at home Advent devotions. Beginning on the first Sunday of Advent, with the Advent wreath, you will notice the addition and weekly increase of greenery in the sanctuary as visual sign of growing anticipation and excitement.

In a society whose seasonal values are antithetical to the themes of Advent, our worship services are a refuge and an opportunity to catch our collective breaths, reflecting and giving thanks for all the ways God has been made known among us, ponder all the ways God is among us, and prepare for all the ways God will come among us. Blessings to you and your loved ones during this holy season of Advent. May you experience the increasing Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of God Among Us.