The season of Advent is a double feature. It brings our attention back to the longing and expectancy of the Jewish people as they waited for the Messiah, which reminds us how desperately we also need a Saviour. It also points to the coming of that very Messiah and the fulfillment of the promise that He really would come, which reminds us to be looking and waiting expectantly for His second coming. It's truly a beautiful season.

Sunday marks the first day of Advent this year and around the church we are getting ready. We intentionally make changes to our decor and sermon series to mark the day. We use these external markers to remind us that we're in a new season. We also mark this date because we are all well aware of how (I hate to say it...) busy December is and how quickly our attention gets drawn away from the miracle of the birth of Christ and the hope, love, joy and peace that we are invited to participate in because of Him.

To help you truly celebrate the coming of Christ and to look to His second coming, I'm going to provide a prayer and some readings (Old Testament, New Testament, Gospel and Psalm) that I have gone back to many times over the years and find helpful.

Advent Readings & Prayers: Week 1

We will pause in each service during Advent to pray the prayer together, so I encourage you to read it over before Sunday.

We also have a YouVersion reading plan for Advent starting on Sunday. It would be great to read scripture with you over the next few weeks so click the link below for the invitation to the plan.

This Sunday's Advent theme is hope. How very fitting for this Season of Hope we are in as a church. I'm really looking forward to sharing these next few weeks with all of you.

With hope,
Pastor Tracy

Advent readings and prayers: week 1

advent reading plan (youversion): starts november 28