Dear Friends in Christ -
I don't know about you, but this time of year I always feel "sped up" as if I am 1 or 2 weeks ahead of the calendar. We can make the mistake of getting ahead of ourselves, fraught with the anxiety of getting things done before that Christmas Day arrives.
I am one of the slowest people I know, and even I started putting up the Christmas tree around Thanksgiving this year! I'm still working on it though...
Advent is not Christmas yet. It is a time of preparation and contemplation. When we are still looking forward to the culmination of joy, but we hunger for it so much that when we see just a glimpse of that for which we wait, we want to grasp more of it.
This is why Lent and Advent have much in common. Both call for a certain amount of moderation and discipline. But, as Advent can be more of a challenge because the festivities and holiday planning have already begun, this time can be a little more difficult. We are living in between the now and the not-yet. It's not exactly stuck in the middle of two extremes, but rather in both, as we try to live in this world but not of this world. We are surrounded by the darkness and hurt we see and feel, and yet we know the Kingdom of God is also at hand.
Keep your chins up and keep hope alive, for God is truly near.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guess what? Here's what's happening this week at 1st Pres:
Today - Yoga at noon-sharp :) Quilters come for the afternoon. I will be in the office till about 1:00PM.
Tonight I'll be the "color commentator" during the basketball games starting about 6PM. We're playing Texico Wolverines (girls first, then the boys)
Tomorrow and Friday - Exercise, Eat and Pray from 9-10:15ish
I will also be in the office Wednesday and Friday till about noon.
Thursday - I will be out and about in the community - visiting at Quail Ridge morning and afternoon, delivering communion.
Saturday - a Big Day! Community Health Talk on "Depression" presented by Cassie Huffman, Counselor. Come on out and support our Community Health Talk programs and learn about this very important topic. (click for flyer)
And then... the Presbyterian Women invite all of you to the Christmas luncheon starting at 11:30. It's potluck, so bring a treat, a dish or salad to share.
Sunday - We continue at 9:30 in the conference room viewing the video, "Hark! Listening for the Surprises of Advent." Then, after a little coffee and fellowship, we worship the Lord!
Special thank you to Yvette McFarland, for her constant leadership over the Green Chile Gals get-togethers on the first Mondays of the month.
Happy Birthday this week to Ron Wilmot (12/10) and Kelly McFarland (12/11)!
Make yourself a blessing to someone else this week.
Peace and much love,
Pastor Amy 575-708-0860
I don't know about you, but this time of year I always feel "sped up" as if I am 1 or 2 weeks ahead of the calendar. We can make the mistake of getting ahead of ourselves, fraught with the anxiety of getting things done before that Christmas Day arrives.
I am one of the slowest people I know, and even I started putting up the Christmas tree around Thanksgiving this year! I'm still working on it though...
Advent is not Christmas yet. It is a time of preparation and contemplation. When we are still looking forward to the culmination of joy, but we hunger for it so much that when we see just a glimpse of that for which we wait, we want to grasp more of it.
This is why Lent and Advent have much in common. Both call for a certain amount of moderation and discipline. But, as Advent can be more of a challenge because the festivities and holiday planning have already begun, this time can be a little more difficult. We are living in between the now and the not-yet. It's not exactly stuck in the middle of two extremes, but rather in both, as we try to live in this world but not of this world. We are surrounded by the darkness and hurt we see and feel, and yet we know the Kingdom of God is also at hand.
Keep your chins up and keep hope alive, for God is truly near.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guess what? Here's what's happening this week at 1st Pres:
Today - Yoga at noon-sharp :) Quilters come for the afternoon. I will be in the office till about 1:00PM.
Tonight I'll be the "color commentator" during the basketball games starting about 6PM. We're playing Texico Wolverines (girls first, then the boys)
Tomorrow and Friday - Exercise, Eat and Pray from 9-10:15ish
I will also be in the office Wednesday and Friday till about noon.
Thursday - I will be out and about in the community - visiting at Quail Ridge morning and afternoon, delivering communion.
Saturday - a Big Day! Community Health Talk on "Depression" presented by Cassie Huffman, Counselor. Come on out and support our Community Health Talk programs and learn about this very important topic. (click for flyer)
And then... the Presbyterian Women invite all of you to the Christmas luncheon starting at 11:30. It's potluck, so bring a treat, a dish or salad to share.
Sunday - We continue at 9:30 in the conference room viewing the video, "Hark! Listening for the Surprises of Advent." Then, after a little coffee and fellowship, we worship the Lord!
Special thank you to Yvette McFarland, for her constant leadership over the Green Chile Gals get-togethers on the first Mondays of the month.
Happy Birthday this week to Ron Wilmot (12/10) and Kelly McFarland (12/11)!
Make yourself a blessing to someone else this week.
Peace and much love,
Pastor Amy 575-708-0860
| dec_6_sermon_-_inquire_within.pdf |
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