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December 3, 2023
Sunday December 3rd, 2023 is the first Sunday of the first season of the liturgical calendar year, Advent. It is fitting for those who claim the name Christian to begin their annual journey with Advent, the coming of Jesus into the world. After all, Christians believe that Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise of God to save us from the destruction we cause ourselves. In Christ, Jesus God redeems, reconciles, and repairs the ruptured relationships of our lives. In Christ, God interrupted our existence, to intercept our lives, with an intervention that inspires us with God's desires, expectations and intentions for our existence. That is why Christians believe that Jesus is the reason for season.
In 1838, Abraham Lincoln spoke before the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois and made the observation that “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves”. In this speech, Lincoln was partly referring to the dangers of slavery. We destroy ourselves by becoming slaves of discrimination, greed, and selfishness. God promised a different future, bringing to the world the possibilities of truth, justice, and righteousness in the life of Jesus, the Christ.
Be sure to take an Advent Calendar with scriptures to read each day during this special season where we acknowledge our inability to save ourselves. We will light a candle each Sunday and remind ourselves with lyrics requesting God to intervene, intercept, and inspire us to life abundantly in Jesus. I paraphrase the original lyrics to say, "O come, O come Emmanuel and save us from the destruction we cause ourselves."
Let me conclude my musing with a quote from Benjamin Franklin. "We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly." Do not let idleness, pride, or folly eclipse your opportunity for the fulfillment that comes in Christ.
I am announcing my intention to retire the end of 2024 as I indicated in my reflections at our Mid-Year Church Meeting, Sunday July 16th. I am committed to seeing you through your search for a successor. The Diaconate Ministry will follow The Constitution and appoint a pulpit committee to begin the search. The congregation will be updated on a consistent basis about the progress that is being made and provided an opportunity to have input.
Financial Faith Commitment cards are available for you to pledge your support for the 2024 budget. Give commensurate with your capacity so we are able to maintain and sustain our congregation of believers in Christ.
Be sure to get your copy of the revised Constitution for your perusal for our Year-End Church Meeting on Sunday, December 17th, 2023 at Noon, via Zoom. Details will be made available to members via email. Ministries are expected to begin the process of preparing their Annual Report for the 2023rd year.
Sunday, December 10th, is the second Sunday of Advent at the 8:00 am in person service.
Sunday, December 17th, is the third Sunday in Advent at the 8:00 am in person service. Year-End Church Meeting at 12:00 Noon on Zoom.
Agenda / Prayer / Verification of Quorum / Minutes of the Last Church Meeting / Pastor's Reflections / Diaconate Ministry, / Trustee Ministry Reflections / Budget and Finance Ministry will present the budget for 2024 at our Annual Meeting, January 28th, 2024 / Investment Ministry Report / Projected Calendar of Events for 2024 / Appointment of Nominating Ministry/ Presentation and passing of the revised Constitution / Conclusion and Adjournment
Sunday, December 24th at 8:00 am, in person service with lighting of candles for our traditionally held Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.
Sunday, December 31st at 8:00 am, in person worship service which will serve as our final service of the year replacing our Watch Night Service.
May this special season of the year lift you beyond the limitations imposed by life, generally and particularly, so that you will soar above the storms caused by sinister situations with emboldened belief, fortified faith, and sustained strength. Let the music of this particular season of the year fill you with enthusiasm, excitement, and expectation about the positive possibilities of the future.
-Pastor
Dr. William S. Epps, Senior Pastor
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