We are now approaching the second Sunday of Advent, less than three weeks from Christmas! My personal prayer this season is to stay focused on Jesus so that I am able to bring a sense of encouragement and hope to every encounter and interaction. This goal sounds easy enough, but the challenge lies in making time for God first, before tackling all the daily tasks that can consume us.
The theme for the second Sunday of Advent is hope. There is a difference between authentic Christian hope and false hope or incomplete hope. We will explore the meaning of Christian hope in the message Sunday.
The scriptures for Sunday are Isaiah 11: 1-3 and Romans 15: 4-7, 13. The message is entitled “An Altogether Hope.” We will continue to draw upon the distinction between “Almost” and “Altogether”, a distinction that comes from John Wesley’s sermon entitled ‘The Almost Christian.” Please pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance for our worship, including our music, message, and fellowship.
Many thanks to those of you who remember Grace UMC in your end-of-year giving. Your faithfulness makes a difference in the lives of so many people as this church blesses the Merritt Island community. As we approach the end of 2019, I am so grateful for this church and the ways that so many of you have been a blessing to me and my family.
See you Sunday! Pastor Steve Hart