Welcome as we start the glorious Advent season in anticipation of the birth of our dear saviour! May we keep the reason for the season in our hearts. On Sunday, we lit the first candle, of the season (Hope, Psalm 33:20-22) and we hung the Christ mons, the symbols of our faith, on the tree. Now the church is fully decorated and awaiting God’s light. It is the preparation of God’s great plan for the Christ child. 

Sunday’s scripture reading, by Pastor Todd Holman, was Isaiah 2:1-5. This passage is a very different message of hope, that in the last day’s things will be very different.  In the first Sunday of Advent, we look at the second coming of Jesus.  Invision a high mountain where the temple of God is built and all the people live in unity.  We look beyond restoration to a better kind of happening.  In John 1:14. Jesus brings a new type of being. We are redeemed, but the world remains fallen.  The complete fulfillment of the promises in Isaah is yet to come. We have experienced the salvation of God in Christ as we grown in faith and trust and holiness and love. We believe that the second coming of Jesus is the means by which an even more pervasive newness will appear.  There will be over arching peace and unity.  There will be a holy temple where God will be worshiped by all nations.  He will settle disputes among all nations. We dare to hope this will take place.  In the meantime, what will we do?  What is our responsibility? How does the world see we Christians?  May we live for others and strive for real change.  May we be caught in the act of living and loving like Jesus until his return.  Come Holy Spirit and fill us with your spirit of hope!

Join us for Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m. You may also follow us on Facebook at First UMC Bourbon Missouri.