"Heaven and Natures Sing"
They say it's the most wonderful time of the year... Christmas.
For many of us, it's been an extremely draining pandemic season of change, masks, sacrifices, altered schedules, lost loved ones, canceled rituals and traditions, and the list keeps running and running. Finding the JOY of this season has not only eluded us for the final 30 days of the calendar year... it's been an impossible target to hit since March, 2020. It all begs the question, "WHY would the church emphasize JOY at a time like this?"
It's a question we understand quite well: the journey to the side of Jesus' manger has been painful on many levels for our community. But the JOY of the season will not go unnoticed... we can't let that happen. The JOY of Christ's birth stands over and above all strife, trial, struggle, trouble, and concern. Jesus' birth represents JOY at its deepest level: it is the birth of hope, peace, light, life, and love! JOY is found as the Word comes to life... as Emmanuel breaks into our world - "God With Us." Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and at that moment: heaven down came to earth.
It is easy to understand how some might be feeling down and out or have a case of the blues, but we pray it is also understandable how the birth of a Savior is worth not only gatherings and decorations... but also singing, worshiping, and celebrating. Jesus the Christ is born not only thousands of years ago, but in each of us who comes to the manger. As each of us accepts the invitation to look into the eyes of Mary and Joseph's son, our prayer is that you will allow the love of God to be born in you again. That the hope, light, life - the JOY of the Lord - will be awakened in a whole new way.
This IS the most wonderful time of the year - it is the birth of our Savior, the entrance of God wrapped in flesh, and holy days of JOY.
This season is filled with opportunities to grow in faith and fellowship, to come together, to worship and to celebrate.
We pray you will find your way to the manger through some or all of the events and services below.
Won't you join us? Won't you connect your journey with the JOY of the Lord this Advent season?
O, Come, All Ye Faithful!
We are praying you will receive the JOY of the season found in the form of the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.
O, Come, Let Us Adore Him! He is Christ the Lord!
He is JOY - he is JOY to our world! A Merry Christmas to you, and a Merry Christmas to all!
For many of us, it's been an extremely draining pandemic season of change, masks, sacrifices, altered schedules, lost loved ones, canceled rituals and traditions, and the list keeps running and running. Finding the JOY of this season has not only eluded us for the final 30 days of the calendar year... it's been an impossible target to hit since March, 2020. It all begs the question, "WHY would the church emphasize JOY at a time like this?"
It's a question we understand quite well: the journey to the side of Jesus' manger has been painful on many levels for our community. But the JOY of the season will not go unnoticed... we can't let that happen. The JOY of Christ's birth stands over and above all strife, trial, struggle, trouble, and concern. Jesus' birth represents JOY at its deepest level: it is the birth of hope, peace, light, life, and love! JOY is found as the Word comes to life... as Emmanuel breaks into our world - "God With Us." Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and at that moment: heaven down came to earth.
It is easy to understand how some might be feeling down and out or have a case of the blues, but we pray it is also understandable how the birth of a Savior is worth not only gatherings and decorations... but also singing, worshiping, and celebrating. Jesus the Christ is born not only thousands of years ago, but in each of us who comes to the manger. As each of us accepts the invitation to look into the eyes of Mary and Joseph's son, our prayer is that you will allow the love of God to be born in you again. That the hope, light, life - the JOY of the Lord - will be awakened in a whole new way.
This IS the most wonderful time of the year - it is the birth of our Savior, the entrance of God wrapped in flesh, and holy days of JOY.
This season is filled with opportunities to grow in faith and fellowship, to come together, to worship and to celebrate.
We pray you will find your way to the manger through some or all of the events and services below.
Won't you join us? Won't you connect your journey with the JOY of the Lord this Advent season?
O, Come, All Ye Faithful!
We are praying you will receive the JOY of the season found in the form of the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.
O, Come, Let Us Adore Him! He is Christ the Lord!
He is JOY - he is JOY to our world! A Merry Christmas to you, and a Merry Christmas to all!
Help Us Help Others: 2021 Christmas Offering!
ALL ITEMS Have Been Received & Delivered!
Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 3:30 & 5:30pm
