CURRENT SERMON SERIES
Advent 2024—Promises
Our culture says that Advent is a happy (busy!) time filled with decorations and nostalgia and family and friends. In our churches Advent is when we begin counting the blessings of Christmas with the familiar themes of Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy. All of these things are wonderful as long as we don’t miss the true meaning of Advent: preparation. Traditionally during the season of Advent we remember Christ’s first coming and rejoice, while also preparing for His second coming. This year, we are going to take a closer look at the Old Testament prophecies and the promises God made to his people before Christ’s first coming to find clues in how we live as we await his second coming. Through it all we can rest in the assurance of Emmanuel, God is with us, and He always keeps His promises.
First Sunday of Advent: December 1st—Pastor Megan Gomez Preaching
Theme: Promises
An important step in preparing our hearts for Christ is to focus on God’s promises. In the book of Jeremiah we see how in the midst of trying, uncertain times, God promised a Branch would spring up and bring justice, righteousness, and safety. In today’s passage from Luke, Jesus himself paints a disturbing picture of fear and foreboding. In both passages, we see that we are not to focus on the chaos around us, but the promise of what God will do and the Hope we can find in Him.
Note: Today’s Advent theme is Hope—the Promises of God give us HOPE.
Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Luke 21:25-36
Second Sunday of Advent (Choir Specials at 11): December 8th—Matt Brown Preaching
Theme: Preparation
Last week we focused on the promises of God in the midst of challenging times. This week, we look at how God’s promises should move us toward repentance. For most Old Testament prophets, no matter how dark and dismal they may seem, there is always a move to hope and joy because of God’s unfailing love—if the people will repent and turn to Him. Repentance was central to John the Baptist’s message as he prepared the way for Jesus, and if we want to face uncertain times with peace in our hearts, then we must repent as well.
Note: Today’s Advent theme is Peace—when we repent as part of our preparation it leads to PEACE.
Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 3:1-6
Third Sunday of Advent: December 15th—Paul Plourde Preaching
Theme: Passion
Passion is not always something we are comfortable with, especially at church. It can feel out of control, out of place, even inappropriate. But when we look at the lives of the prophets and John the Baptist, there is no denying their passion for God. As Christians, we are not called to a ho-hum boring belief, but the promises of God should stir a deep passion for God that changes who we are and how we live. This passion may be quiet or more expressive, but it should run deep and touch the lives of others around us. As we allow the promises of God to soak into our lives, may our passion for God fill us with joy.
Note: Today’s Advent theme is Joy—our passion for God naturally fills us with JOY.
Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20 or Isaiah 12:2-6; Luke 3:7-18
Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 22nd—Pastor Frank Bernat Preaching
Theme: Presence
As we close out an Advent focusing on the promises of God, we cannot leave without focusing on Emmanuel, the promise of God’s presence with us. Jesus was foretold in the Old Testament and Mary sang of him before his birth. Whether Jesus returns tomorrow or centuries from now, we can still rest in the promises and presence of God, assured of God’s great love for us.
Note: Today’s Advent theme is Love—Jesus himself is a reminder of God’s great LOVE for us.
Scripture: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55 or Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)
