Advent 2023

Weekly Update – November 30th, 2023

Yesterday I was reading from Psalm chapter 5 and verse 7 stuck out to me.  The Psalmist writes, “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love will enter your house.”  David here is writing in contrast to the wicked who will not “stand” or “dwell” in God’s presence.  His expectation is different though, as his trust rests in the Lord.  In this Psalm, David is clear here that his trust does not rest in his deeds.  He is not contrasting his good works against the wicked deeds of evildoers.  Instead he is contrasting wicked men against the “abundance of God’s steadfast love.”  David rests in God’s love for him as the means by which he will “enter” into God’s house. 

As I read this, I thought, what is the abundance of God’s love?  If it is through the abundance of God’s love that we enter into his presence, then we ought to be clear what this love looks like towards us.  This is when I thought about how fitting this verse is as we look towards Christmas.  The abundance of God’s love was on full display in the sending of His son.  When God became man, He showed his love towards us by taking on flesh.  Though He had every right to make us bear our guilt (Ps. 5:10), He chose to make a way for reconciliation.  And this redemption comes to light for us in the incarnation.   

For the four weeks prior to Christmas we celebrate the abundance of God’s love shown to us through Jesus and his birth into the world.  This time is called our Advent season.  Christians, since the early church, have celebrated Advent as it helps to focus our hearts and minds on the coming of Jesus.  What this means is that just as the Old Testament saints were waiting for the first coming of the Messiah, we are waiting for his return.  Advent, which literally means “coming” or “arrival”, reminds us of how much we need a Savior as we remember his first coming, while at the same time, anticipating his second.

The way that we celebrate at First Baptist Church is by having our song and message time these four weeks point us specifically to celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world.  In addition to these times, we will also include special scripture reading and a lighting of the Advent wreath.  Now some may be unfamiliar with what this Advent wreath means.  The Advent wreath contains three purple candles and one pink candle for the four weeks prior to Christmas, along with a white candle being called the Christ candle, which is lit on Christmas Eve. The purple color for three of the candles signify seriousness and repentance with typical themes attached to them such as hope, love and peace.  The pink candle signifies a break from this seriousness and stands in on the third week of Advent representing joy.  The purple candles are meant to represent our longing for the coming of Jesus with the pink candle reminding us that He did actually come.  All of this culminates on Christmas Eve when the wreath is fully lit and we celebrate God becoming man breaking into the world for the salvation of our souls.

Now, even though we are celebrating Christ coming throughout this entire Advent season at church, there are also opportunities for you to focus your heart and mind on this time at home as well.  There are many great resources available that are completely free that allow you remember Christ and anticipate his return on your own.  One great resource is offered from www.desiringgod.org titled Advent is for Adoring Jesus.  You can find it HERE. This resource offers you a devotional for December 1^st through 25^th all geared towards the focus of Jesus coming into the world.  Then a second resource I would like to recommend to you is for families with younger children.  It is offered at www.faithgateway.com.  It is called The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent calendar and reading plan.  You can find this HERE. This is a resource that my wife and I have used with our children multiple times in years past. There are also additional resources available in the Welcome Center.

As we enter into the month of December tomorrow, I pray that our hearts would be focused on Jesus as we remember his coming into the world while at the same time anticipating his return for us.  But while this is our focus this month, let us also remember the reason why he came.  He was not just a baby born long ago to a young couple in transit.  He was and is the very son of God who came as a display of the abundance of God’s steadfast love to ransom us from all of our sin, to reconcile us back to the Father, now and for all eternity. 

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"...whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
- Matthew 20:26-28

Announcements:

Christmas Choir: Rehearsals for Christmas Choir are held on Friday evenings. Please contact Martin Maharas for details.

Christmas Cookie Exchange: all women of the church are invited to participate in a Christmas Cookie Exchange at the Nelson home on Saturday, December 9th. More details can be found HERE.

Members’ Meeting: We are planning to have a potluck lunch and members’ meeting following the morning service on Sunday, December 17th.

Advent Devotionals: There are three options for Advent devotions available in our Welcome Center. The first one is free and it is titled, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus. The second one is $10 and it is titled, Gifts of Grace. The last one is also $10 and it is titled, Come, Let us Adore Him. Feel free to check these out and get one for this Advent season.

Christmas Caroling: On Wednesday, December 20th at 6:30pm, we will meet at the church to go out caroling to our shut-ins and our neighborhood.

Christmas Eve Service: Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held on December 24th at 6:00pm. On this evening, we will read the Christmas story, sing Christmas Songs together and hear a short Christmas message. Make plans to join us and invite your family and friends.

Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.

Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal.

Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of the minor prophets will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament will meet in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE. 

Wednesday Evening Activities

Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.