Advent 2015

Advent is upon us!
That means a lot of things to a lot of different people.  For some it is the season of preparation for Christmas.  For others it is the Christmas season.  That comes from the fact that some Christian denominations do not recognize or set aside the time of Advent.

I would reiterate what I wrote this time last year:
Advent is something of an unusual time.  On the one hand it is the time of preparation for Christmas and the stories of the nativity, Joseph, Mary, Jesus’ birth and so forth.  On the other hand, Advent is a time of reflection and hope for the second Advent, or the second coming of Christ.  In that respect it is a time of not merely remembering Christmas, but looking forward in hope for the fully realized Kingdom of God.

In the middle of those two understandings of Advent, there is the tension of seeking to encounter the present reality of Christ.  In other words, we continue to seek the presence of Christ in our own lives, not merely looking back at what was and hoping for the future.  Advent is when we stop to reflect on the reality of the unfolding Advent of Christ in our own lives. 

Since Advent is such a tremendously important time in the life of the Church, I hope that you will take advantage of as many opportunities as possible to ‘drink in’ the season to its fullest. We will be having two regular services during Advent: November 29th and December 13th.  The other two Sundays in Advent are special events.

December 6th is the Children's Pageant and December 20th is the Choir Cantata.  We will also be having our Christmas Eve service on Thursday the 24th with a service of Holy Communion.  And, like last year, we will also hold the special "Longest Night" service on December 21st, which I will talk more about later.

I will also be updating the post each week during the season of Advent with thoughts on the four aspects of the season for this year: peace, joy, hope, and love.  So check back in each week during Advent.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Charles

The Celebrations of November

November is a special month.  Most people think so because of Thanksgiving.  That has something to do with it, I am sure.  But it is a special month because this year there are no less than four special days in the church calendar.

The first Sunday of the month is All Saints Sunday.  This isn’t a Sunday that gets all that much press in most churches, but it is the second half of All Hallows Eve (which didn’t have much to do with candy, originally!).  All Saints Sunday is when we take time to reflect and remember the saints of our own local church and church family who have left this life to join the Eternal Kingdom.  As it is the first Sunday, we will be having communion as well, which will add to the reflective mood of the day.

The second event is Christ the King Sunday, which signals the end of the Christian year.  It is a triumphal day that reminds us that celebrates the all-embracing authority of Christ as King of the world and all that is.  The language is a little difficult for some…king not being a word we normally utilize for Christ.  However, as one author wrote, “in a chaotic and unjust world that seems to scorn any kind of authority, many Christians proudly celebrate Christ the King Sunday, where the loving and merciful - and just - king of the universe is praised and glorified.”

The third event is the Community Thanksgiving service on Sunday, November 22^nd, the same day as Christ the King Sunday.  It is a time when we come together as a larger community of faith that stretches beyond just United Methodists.  That evening we will gather to worship together and give thanks to God.

Finally, on November 29^th, Advent begins.  This is the first Sunday of the new Christian year as well as the beginning of the preparation time that leads us to the Christmas Season that begins on December 24^th.  Advent signals a change in the tone of the church, with different colors and decorations – it is a time of joy and wonder as we turn our minds towards the approaching Messiah.

I hope that you will be with us on these special days.  We will also be having a few guest speakers this month as well: our own J. C. Smith on November 8^th and Bishop Richard Looney on November 15^th.  These two capable speakers will be a joy to hear.

It is a time of transition, but one that brings newness and expectation with it.  Come and be a part of it!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Charles