Pastor's Corner

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It must have felt like the longest night when Jesus was born! Not only did Mary and Joseph get turned away at the Inn, but they had also waited nine months to see what the Savior of the world, conceived by God’s Holy spirit, would look like. Their people, Israel, had waited for seven hundred years to see prophecy fulfilled: “A child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) There was darkness in the world when Jesus came. King Herod heard about a “king of the Jews” being born and did not want the competition, so he ordered all young boys in Israel to be killed. Somehow Jesus was spared this atrocity and lived to teach, heal, forgive and offer salvation in his day. Sometimes we wonder if Jesus’s life made any difference in our world today. We look for God’s light through our faith in Christ, even in the darkest night. Difficulty and loss cloud can cloud our view.

This year I am offering a chapel service before Christmas on the longest night of the year: December 21, when the sun will set at 3:54 p.m.! Not everyone feels joyful around Christmas. We will gather in the midst of suffering to remember God is good, God is strong, and God is nearby. We are not alone, and we have every reason to hold on to hope. Some people have lost a family member; some people are all alone; some have just moved into the area; some are lamenting the terrible killing on other shores; some want to reach out and find God again, and some feel God let them down in the distant past, right around these holidays. This service will give space and time to grieve, pray, sing and hope again in the saving grace of God given through Jesus Christ. Join me on the Saturday before Christmas and experience the light filling our darkness once again.

Jesus’ advent (coming) truly changed the world. I hope you join us also for all the special events this holy season, preparing ourselves spiritually to receive the greatest gift ever given: Jesus the Lord. Nothing remains the same when following God’s direction, except the love of God and isaHisHisHis relationship with us. We have been assessing the work of our church in reaching more people with that Love. In doing this work, your leaders are working hard to bring about some changes that will help us be more effective, efficient, and focused in who God is calling us to be. Look for the coming signs of a renewed vision for our church beginning in the New year. And please join us to find the light of God this season!

Pastor Jeff McDowell