Messages on Advent

Messages on Advent

Being Present in Hope

In this sermon, Pastor Wayne reflects on the true meaning of Advent/Christmas amidst the bustling holiday activities. While society celebrates with lights, decorations, and gift shopping, the church is reminded that Advent/Christmas is also a season of shadows, where darkness and struggles intensify. Drawing from Mark 13, Pastor Wayne emphasizes Jesus’ preparation of his disciples for difficult times, cautioning them about various challenges. However, the central message is one of hope – the assurance that Jesus has come, is continually…

Advent 4: 2022

Hello McFarland! Pastor Wayne here! Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Normally in this space we would present the message for today. However, today was the Sunday that the choir performed their cantata, The Promised Hope. The choir did a good job with a touch of adversity since sickness limited their number. But they persevered in spite of the challenges. I thank them for their hard work and dedication. I wish that I could present their performance in this space. However,…

Joseph: What’s The Story Joe?

As we continue traveling “On The Way to Bethlehem,” we drop in to visit with Joseph. The man engaged to Mary. Well, probably more like Mary, a slightly older teenager who has established a reputation as a carpenter, or craftsman. He is in an arranged engagement/marriage with Mary. He’s just found out that Mary is pregnant and he is not happy. This child is not his. How does he react? What does he do? Join us as we take a…

Mary: Touched By An Angel

Happy New Year, you brood of vipers! This Sunday, we begin a new liturgical year in the church. Typically, we would be dealing with either the prophecies or, in this case as we move to the Gospel of Matthew, we would hear from John the Baptist as he addresses the “brood of vipers” who have come to hear him prophecy. However, that will not be the case for this year. This year, we will concentrate on the story. In this…

What About Joseph?

What do you think was going through Joseph’s mind when Mary told him this amazing story about the angel’s proclamation? “Does she really expect me to believe this?” Can you imagine how disappointed he must have been? As Mary’s betrothed, he had the option of having her stoned to death… he could do that if he wanted to deal with the shame. No, he was going to dismiss her quietly so that they could both move on with their lives.…

Mary Did You Know?

Mark Lowry wrote a poem in 1984 to be used in a Christmas play at his church.  Music was added in the early 90’s and a Christmas classic was born. The song asks Mary if she knew what her newborn baby would accomplish in life. Well, according to Luke’s Gospel, she did know. She expressed her knowledge when visiting her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist (see Luke 1:39-56). The knowledge that Mary had was that her…

An Encounter With An Angel

Our Scriptures for this Second Sunday of Advent are Isaiah 7:14-16, Psalm 80:1-7, and Luke 1:26-38. The candle representing peace is lit in the Advent wreath and takes its place with the candle of hope that was lit last week. Our theme this week is the encounter between Mary and the angel Gabriel. In a week when we have heard another reason to fear with the Michigan school shooting, we need to hear the angel’s message that we don’t need…

Time to Go Home

Happy New Year, Church! Today is the first Sunday in Advent, marking the beginning of a new liturgical year. Advent is a season of preparation for the coming of Messiah. Today, we introduce you to the season and a new series based upon Advent entitled Come Home for Christmas.  When we think of Christmas/Advent, we don’t usually think of an apocalyptic text. Yet, that is what we find in the Gospel for today, Luke 21:25-36. When paired with the Old Testament…

Is It So, Joe?

What do you think was going through Joseph’s mind when Mary told him this amazing story about the angel’s proclamation? “Does she really expect me to believe this?” Can you imagine how disappointed he must have been? As Mary’s betrothed, he had the option of having her stoned to death… he could do that if he wanted to deal with the shame. No, he was going to dismiss her quietly so that they could both move on with their lives.…
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