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A Word From Our Pastor…
This week we open another gift from God – love. This will be the fourth light of our Advent wreath. Joy – Peace – Hope – and now Love. Love’s greatest gift is our Savior.
“Worship we the God-head, love incarnate, love divine; worship we our Jesus, but where-with for sacred sign?” (“Love Came Down at Christmas,” #181).
Christina G. Rossetti, who wrote these lyrics, invites the question. If Jesus is truly God made flesh, what fitting sign or offering can we bring to worship him? Gold? Beautiful churches? Religious performance? Something “worthy” of God?
The next line of the hymn answers the question: “Love shall be our token, love be yours and love be mine.”
The sacred sign is love itself. Not ceremony. Not spectacle. Not wealth. But a life shaped by love—God’s love received and shared.
We worship Jesus as God’s love made flesh—but what can we offer Him? Only this: a life marked by love.
“We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
Here is a reminder about next week’s services.
1. Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion.
Next Wednesday we will have a couple of options for families. Come and Go Communion will be from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Communion will be served at the altar rail during this time. Our candlelight service will be at 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Communion will be served by intinction. Prayer at the altar rail will be optional for families. Our service will close with a beautiful demonstration of light piercing the darkness as we sing by candlelight. One of my favorite moments of worship all year! Invite a friend or neighbor to join you for this special service.
2. One worship service on December 28th.
We will have a combined worship service the Sunday following Christmas. It will be held in the Worship Center at 10:00 a.m. Sunday school classes that want to meet can meet at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. This will be a come as you are service – dress casual.
I hope you have a great weekend. I will see you Sunday!
Jimmy