- Advent is about new beginnings. The First Sunday in Advent is December 1.
As followers of Jesus who are Presbyterian, we are “missional” and “connectional”. Although we are 1.2 million individuals in the Presbyterian Church (USA), we find ways to connect and fulfill the mission of Jesus collectively.
As followers of Jesus, we exist to proclaim salvation in Jesus Christ and him alone; nurture and equip followers of Jesus for the work of ministry; worship God with our whole mind, body and spirit; preserve the truth; promote justice while serving the marginalized in society, and demonstrate the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.
- Jesus Christ came into the world, fully God and fully man. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, came into the world to proclaim a connectional and missional beginning for the salvation of humans in order to reconcile all things to the Father.
It is this Jesus who suffered, died, and was buried. It is this Jesus who rose from the dead in order for humans to know the most incredible new beginning…forgiveness of sin, everlasting life, and purpose for living. Advent is the new beginning of partnering with Jesus to change the world one life at a time.
- Read the benediction below (benediction, in Latin, means, “good word”) written by the late Richard Halverson, Minister of Word and Sacrament (PCUSA), and Chaplain to the United States Senate (1981- 1994).
You go nowhere by accident.
Wherever you go, God is sending you.
He has a purpose in your being there.
Christ who indwells you has something he wants to do through you wherever you are.
Believe this.
And go in his grace and love and power.
Amen.
- Remember, nothing in your life and Grace’s is life is an accident.
On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,
Steve
The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh
Interim Pastor
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