Hey Centennial,
Here’s the question I would like you to ponder as we begin our Advent sermon series.
What are you trying to build this Christmas season?
I don’t mean that physically – though, some of you may have started a major home project over Thanksgiving. Here’s what I’m thinking about: in our relationships, traditions, times with family and friends, it all adds up to something. If we consider how we spend our time, money, and energies, we are creating something with it all. If you looked across your life in this way, then you could try and answer the question,
What am I trying to build with my life?
Humans have tried to build all sorts of things. Reputations, memories, friendships, communities. They have also built many destructive things. Codependence, passive-aggressive behaviors, habits of manipulation or unhealthy self-protection. Whatever these major themes are in your life, I know one thing is certain.
They often get emphasized when the holidays come around.
Holidays can make loneliness feel heavier just as much as it can cause family to feel closer.
Frankly, we all have some good and some not so good that we are building.
This Sunday, we will create some time during worship to consider both what we are building but also – and maybe more importantly – how we are building it. The Advent Sermon Series comes from something God said to Israel through his prophet Zechariah. You can read it for yourself in Zechariah 4:6, but here is what it says:
“Not by might nor power, but by my Spirit” says the Lord.
Whatever we build with our time, talents, and treasures, here is the invitation we will make each and every Sunday as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Build it by God’s Spirit.
My hope for us all is that, over the next month, we will learn in a new way what is meant by one of our core affirmations in the Covenant Church, that we affirm the need to live with a daily, conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Grace and peace,
Karl
P.S. This is the final Sunday to support our two Christmas outreach ministries. We have two trees in the Welcome Center, one from Mile High Ministries and one from Parent Life. Grab and ornament, make a difference in someone’s life this Christmas.
P.P.S. A couple notes on holiday schedules around here:
- Christmas Eve worship gatherings are at 3:00 and 4:30pm. They are identical gatherings. Look for invitation post cards at the hub during advent. An easy way to invite a friend or neighbor.
- The church offices will be closed during the week of Christmas. However, we will be open again on Monday and Tuesday December 30th and 31st. If you want to make sure any end of year gifts, make it into the church on time, you can drop them off one of those days or make sure they are postmarked by December 31st.