November 29, 2009  - Advent Begins!

 

9:15 am – Christian Education

10:30 am – Worship

   

“Bursting In – Breaking Out”

               

                The theme of this year’s Advent season challenges us to view the cosmic reality of God in the midst of the chaos in our every day lives. How does God’s light and influence burst into the midst of our economic chaos? The chaos in our personal lives? The chaos of international terrorism, wars, and natural disasters?

                In a sense, chaos will strike our Advent Sunday services as well. You will not recognize the order of service, things will be different, songs will be sung in unfamiliar places in our worship and we know many will not be comfortable with this chaos. But if we pay attention and focus on worship instead of the chaos – you will find God’s light breaking out and bursting into the service. If we can learn to do that in a worship service, can we take that into the world as well?

                The theme song we will use at the beginning of each Advent service is “I Will Trust in You.” Written by Brian Suderman, this melodic ballad reminds us of the chaos in the world and our need to trust in God. We will also use the song “Great is He” to end each service – a joyful expression of hope and excitement for the season events ahead.

                Be sure to get into the sanctuary early because many pre-service activities will include singing seasonal favorite songs.

                Be prepared.

                Planners for the advent season are:  Anika Baumgartner, Stefan Baumgartner, Ron Guengerich, Jan Holsopple, Janice Troyer, and Mike Yoder.

                This Sunday Mark Epp-Tiessen will be introducing us to this year’s advent theme: bursting in and breaking out. The texts for this week all speak about the hope for God’s future intervention in the world – a theme that is central to the meaning of advent. Mark will speak about the double nature of advent; not only is advent about preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ, but it is also about preparing for the time when Christ comes again. During advent, we ought to remind ourselves that God continues to redeem creation and burst into our world and our lives.

                The scripture texts are Jeremiah 33: 14-16, Luke 21: 20-36, and 1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13.  Mark Epp-Tiessen will bring the message.