As we approach the final week of Advent, we sense the light of God’s hope shining in our lives, and the call to prepare the way of the Lord brings meaning in deep and powerful ways amid all life’s challenges! Excitement is growing for our big Live Outdoor Nativity, Saturday and Sunday night at 7. Spread the word and invite neighbors, family & friends to join you for this inspiring 30-minute enactment of God’s love born for us. We again have live animals, free hot drinks, and a chance for children to interact with the characters afterward. If needed, you can listen from the car on our FM transmitter. We were so inspired by the Youth Christmas program last Sunday – and the Youth Christmas Tree Lot will be open again this weekend. They have trees left, with good prices – so please spread the word in the community and post on your social media to help out our youth in funding for all their amazing work. Midweek Advent Prayer services continue Wednesdays at Noon & 6:30 – if you’ve missed any of these powerful experiences, they are posted on our YouTube channel. Don’t forget the daily Advent e-devotions and your Advent Food Boxes, with 28 non-perishable food items from each household. Go ahead and mark your calendars for Christmas Eve Services: quiet communion at Noon, the joyful Children/Family service at 5:00; the traditional candlelight communion worship at 7:30 (with very special music starting at 7:15). On Christmas Day, we have one joyful service at 10:30, with readings, carols, and a special celebration of Jesus’ birthday. Load up the family & come-as-you-are – PJ’s welcome! This Sunday, Pastor Carl is planning to be back and deliver an inspiring Advent sermon. We light the 4th candle of the Advent wreath & rejoice in the Good News of Jesus coming to fulfill the ancient promise of EMMANUEL, God with us. We hear how an angel appears to the carpenter Joseph to re-assure him that Mary’s child is God’s Son. May we too find re-assurance in the promise of EMMANUEL, God with US, as we prepare to gather this Sunday, with Advent light & hearts shining!
