Can you believe that the month of December is upon us already? It’s that busy time of year again. It’s the time of year to commence the Christmas shopping, drag out the decorations, and put together holiday party plans. It is that time of year to . . . time? How do we find the time to do it all?!?
There is a lot going on during the month of December at Atonement as well. In addition to the Living Nativity event on Friday, December 13, we are beginning midweek Wednesday Advent Services this year on December 4, 11, and 18 at 7pm in the Sanctuary. During these three midweek services we will consider a sermon series entitled, Beautiful Savior King of Creation. The series focuses on selected “creation psalms” from the Book of Psalms.
You might be thinking, “How will I find the time?” If so, you are not alone. I found myself thinking similar thoughts. Amid those thoughts I recalled some words about prayer that are often attributed to Martin Luther: “I have so much work to do that I never get it done unless I pray three hours a day!” This may seem a bit excessive to us, but Luther’s words do touch on a profound truth. The hours, minutes, and seconds of each day are all a gift from God. Time itself is a gift from God. Contrary to what we might think, it is not “our time.” It is God’s time. In a busy time of year like the month of December, why not take more time to rest in prayer and in God’s Word.
The brief midweek Advent Services make available this opportunity for you. Luther’s meaning of the third commandment regarding the keeping of the Sabbath is applicable: “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it” (Small Catechism, “Ten Commandments”). During the midweek, Wednesday Advent Services this December we will have the opportunity to gather together as the body of Christ to encourage one another and to rest in the prayer and in the comfort of God’s Word. We have three more opportunities to receive God’s eternal gifts, to grow in our faith and trust in him, and to reflect on the meaning of the Advent season, recalling all the gracious ways that our God comes to us. What a gift! What a privilege! I can’t think of a better way during a busy time of year to spend God’s time! See you there.
In Christ,
Pastor Josh
You might be thinking, “How will I find the time?” If so, you are not alone. I found myself thinking similar thoughts. Amid those thoughts I recalled some words about prayer that are often attributed to Martin Luther: “I have so much work to do that I never get it done unless I pray three hours a day!” This may seem a bit excessive to us, but Luther’s words do touch on a profound truth. The hours, minutes, and seconds of each day are all a gift from God. Time itself is a gift from God. Contrary to what we might think, it is not “our time.” It is God’s time. In a busy time of year like the month of December, why not take more time to rest in prayer and in God’s Word.
The brief midweek Advent Services make available this opportunity for you. Luther’s meaning of the third commandment regarding the keeping of the Sabbath is applicable: “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it” (Small Catechism, “Ten Commandments”). During the midweek, Wednesday Advent Services this December we will have the opportunity to gather together as the body of Christ to encourage one another and to rest in the prayer and in the comfort of God’s Word. We have three more opportunities to receive God’s eternal gifts, to grow in our faith and trust in him, and to reflect on the meaning of the Advent season, recalling all the gracious ways that our God comes to us. What a gift! What a privilege! I can’t think of a better way during a busy time of year to spend God’s time! See you there.
In Christ,
Pastor Josh
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