Sunday's Comin' December 11, 2009

Submitted by bill on Fri, 12/11/2009 - 1:55pm

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

       The Advent Season is an interesting time. For most of us, things only get busier and it seems to require more of us—more energy, more money, more time… I think we have more choices than we think we do during these days.  But to those who feel a bit overwhelmed, for those who feel like it’s just too much, I have good news for you.  Help is on the way!  We also recognize that this can be a very difficult season for those who are experiencing real loss and grief.  For some this will be the first Christmas without a loved one, or perhaps facing the holidays with broken relationships and fragmented family—all can be quite depressing.    I’ve got good news for you, too.  Help is on the way!  You have reason to live hopefully, even in sadness or grief. You have reason to hope even in overwhelming situations…and its hope beyond reason…unreasonable hope.   
     The best news is hope is something to receive, not something to manufacture.  Hope is a gift from the Lord.  There are things you can do to encourage it, ways to hold on to it. We can grab on to hope, but it must be true hope for often false hopes are given to us.  It has to be hope with substance, hope with handholds.  The arrival of Jesus into this world, is the arrival of hope, not just 2000 years ago, but hope today and tomorrow.   
      This Sunday I will be preaching from Romans 15 and Colossians 1 on “The Arrival of Hope.”  This hope is an anchor, the author of Hebrews tells us.  It holds in storms, high winds and rough seas.    Let’s explore this together.
 
See you Sunday,
 
Bill
 
P.S.   I don’t do this often, but some of you would be disappointed if I didn’t tell you when we need help.  It is an honor and a privilege to provide an emergency shelter for homeless women and children in our church.   It takes a lot of volunteers and help to make this a home—a discipling, faith-building, loving family that feeds the hungry, comforts the afflicted and provides the kind of care you would want us to give in the name of Jesus.  Would you pray about volunteering to stay overnight (even just one night), or to provide breakfast and snacks for our guests?   We especially need help over the holidays.   Thanks for all you do for Christ, for Grace Community Church and for the least of these.