|
 Dear
Saints:
Advent.
Our English word is a transliteration of the Latin, adventus,
meaning "coming" or "arrival". It wasn't
very much a part of my religious tradition when I was growing up, so
only over that last several years have I begun to develop an
appreciation for it.
It
is, of course, a time of waiting and hoping—a
time in which we joyfully anticipate during the weeks prior to
Christmas the wonder of the incarnation—the
birth of the Savior. On the other hand, it's an occasion in
which we are urged to engage ourselves in self-examination and
repentance in expectation of Christ's second coming when he will
appear as Judge of both the living and the dead. Focusing on
both of these—joyful
anticipation and repentant self-examination—can
help to make this season more meaningful for us.
There
are also many special events happening at St. Matthew that can
enhance our appreciation for Advent and Christmas—and
you are invited! We will have our regular Sunday services,
which will be filled with special traditions and music for
everyone! In addition, there will be our Wednesday evening
Advent services that follow our usual time of good fellowship and
food at Celebration Café.
Our
Christmas Eve services this year, as they have been in the past,
will be at eight o'clock and ten-thirty. The Youth (and all
youthful adults!) will be meeting at the Loney's on December 4th to
go Christmas caroling. There will be opportunities to set up
and prepare the Chrismon Trees in the sanctuary. The annual
Christmas Tea will be held in the Fellowship Hall on the 11th of
December. Also on that date will be the annual German Christmas
Service at six o'clock in the sanctuary. You don't know what
fun is until you have been to one of these!
And
don't forget the Open House at the Barksdales on December 17th
from six o'clock through nine o'clock in the evening! Bring a
favorite dessert and your wonderful personality for a fun-filled evening.
The
opportunities for you to be blessed (and to be a blessing) abound at
this time of the year. I hope you will take advantage of these
I have mentioned and others as they become available. I also
look forward to seeing you this month at church. Liz, Meaghan,
Graceanne, and I wish you a very merry and most blessed Advent and Christmas!
Grace
and peace,
Pastor
Larry |
