Advent Sermon Series, November 30-December 21
“A Light Has Dawned: Seeking the Hidden Meaning of Christmas”

The series will gather around the assumption that our culture has become increasingly secular. As a result, the message of Christmas is increasingly hidden. This series will seek to highlight and put forth the “glad tidings of great joy” that is drowned out in the growing volume of secular and commercial messaging, with the hope that there is new messaging and Advent life in store for all of us, no matter where we are in our relationship with the newborn child.

First Sunday of Advent: November 30
Sermon Title: “A New Hope”
Lay Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
Preacher Reading: Matthew 1:1-17
Rev. Stephen Coleman

The Gospel of Matthew attempts to answer the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” He begins to answer that question and tell his story with a genealogy of Jesus’ family. It is an interesting start to his story. This passage is also an interesting way to begin the season of Advent. Jesus’ genealogy is not your typical Advent passage. Most of us tend to skip over genealogies when they appear in the Bible. The names are hard to pronounce, and most of the people we do not recognize or know. Yet there is some significance to the names and people in Jesus’ family, especially with the four women who are included. Gathering with family and friends is a big part of Advent and Christmas. As we gather Jesus’ family, we will gain an understanding of how his past can give us hope both now and in the future as well as help us understand the importance and meaning of his birth.

Second Sunday of Advent: December 7
Sermon: “Why is that Guy in the Strange Clothes Shouting?”
Lay Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
Preacher Reading: Matthew 3:1-12 (read from CEB)
Rev. Dr. Peter Moon

Increasingly, it seems odd to folks to have John the Baptist, at least figuratively, in our manger scenes. His appearance and words seem out of synch with the contemporary message of Christmas. To many today, he appears like someone wearing strange clothes, shouting at people who are going by. There is, of course, a powerful meaning underneath the high volume of the voice. The sermon will speak to why John spoke and what his message means for us today.

Third Sunday of Advent: December 14
Sermon: “What is So Great About Glad Tidings?”
Lay Reading: Luke 1:39-45
Preacher Reading: Luke 1:46-56
Rev. Dr. Peter Moon

Joy is thematic to the two readings, and to the lectionary passage we are not reading: Isaiah 35:1-10. Deserts bloom with joy, babies leap for joy in their mother’s womb, and Mary sings because of the joy within her soul. These passages all represent such poignant images of joy that can be lost. The sermon will speak to the meaning and availability of this same joy from the Christ child for all of us today.

Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 21
Sermon: “The Holy Couple”
Lay Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Preacher Reading: Luke 2:1-5
Rev. Dr. Peter Moon

Typically, we assign a week for Mary and a week for Joseph. We treat them separately. This year, we are going to look at them as a couple, working through the challenges together to bring Jesus into the world and raise him. In a contemporary world that frames gender roles through extreme language and paradigms such as toxic masculinity and radical feminism, perhaps there is, within this mutual journey to Bethlehem, a more gentle and healthier model of strength for all of us, married or single. And, perhaps there is a model for working together through all of our challenges, despite cultural differences.

Christmas Eve Services: Wednesday, December 24
3:30 pm Children’s Christmas Pageant with Children’s Choirs and Children’s Handbells, fellowship hall
5:30 pm Lessons and Carols Service with Christmas Choir, Instrumental Ensemble, and Youth Handbells, sanctuary, livestream – Child care will be provided in room 102.
7:30 pm Christmas Eve in the Chapel with Communion and CrossPoint Musicians
11:00 pm Traditional Candlelight Service with our Christmas Choir, sanctuary

Combined Worship Service: December 28
We will hold one combined worship service in the sanctuary at 10:00 am on Sunday, December 28.
Sermon Title: “The Word Became Flesh”
Lay Reading: John 1:1-18
Preacher Reading: None

Epiphany Sunday: January 4
Sermon title to be announced
Lay Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Preacher Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
Rev. Bayo Ogungbade