| SUNDAY, DECEMEBER 2, 2007 - A GLIMMER OF HOPE |
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Maturity - that's what HOPE brings to our spiritual life - maturity - as we understand that God (just like us earthly parents) often makes His children wait for the promises He has given...
...and we (just like our earthly children) don't like to wait. But HOPE is the key to waiting. Today was the first Sunday of Advent, the Sunday when we focus on the topic of HOPE, and what it means to us. Quite truthfully, I probably enjoy this Sunday of Advent as much as any other one, because it is such a grounding message. It makes us say, just like we say to our kids 2 weeks before Christmas, that it is ok to wait. But as we wait (and as they wait), we do so in hope - confidently expecting that what God has promised will come true. And we KNOW that God will keep His promises because of the guarantee that we have in the Holy Spirit. HOPE is a great message, providing a glimmer of light in even the worst of times, because we KNOW that God always keeps His promises, even if they aren't being fulfilled right now...good stuff. Beyond the message of the sermon was the message of the music. Yes, we had some technical issues (they happen, but we are blessed that they rarely happen). But the praise team intro'd Jesus, Light of the World, which was well received, and they also lead the congregation in a fantastic version of O Come, O Come Emmanuel, which is a great Advent hymn. The chorus is a declaration - "Rejoice! Emmanuel will ransom captive Israel!" What a great message, especially when the fact is that Jesus came to set not just Israel free, but us as well! Thank you, praise team, for your work so far this Advent season. We had a good day - lots of visitors. But we also were missing many of our families (you know who you are!). We had 147, and I hope the rest of our church family joins us this next week as we talk about the PEACE that results from our hope in Jesus Christ!
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