Greetings to all in the name of Christ,

Christmas is drawing closer; most likely a different Christmas from those we have experienced in the past. For many of us, we are being confronted in one way or another with adapting our lives and activities because of a devastating viral pandemic. Our emotions are heightened with confusion, fear, and anger. I have heard that more than a few of us are wrestling with faith issues and concerns around all the matters emerging in our time. Again, many of us want a return to the "normal," and to be able to celebrate Christmas as we have done in previous years. But families and friends and loved ones are separated for numerous reasons; again many of us know and have been impacted by the presence of the virus in our community. Therefore, this is a time for prayer and faithful hope, calling upon the presence of God in Christ Jesus.

It is also a time to return to the promises we hear in Holy Scripture, promises that emerged in Israel's exilic time. In Isaiah 11, we read: "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." And in Isaiah 9. "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

And then an angel visited Mary. "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High."

As difficult as this time is for us, may we continue to live in the hope and faith received in God's promises and presence. Be continuous in prayer and share the good news!   Pastor John

Greetings to all in the name of Christ,

Christmas is drawing closer; most likely a different Christmas from those we have experienced in the past. For many of us, we are being confronted in one way or another with adapting our lives and activities because of a devastating viral pandemic. Our emotions are heightened with confusion, fear, and anger. I have heard that more than a few of us are wrestling with faith issues and concerns around all the matters emerging in our time. Again, many of us want a return to the "normal," and to be able to celebrate Christmas as we have done in previous years. But families and friends and loved ones are separated for numerous reasons; again many of us know and have been impacted by the presence of the virus in our community. Therefore, this is a time for prayer and faithful hope, calling upon the presence of God in Christ Jesus.

It is also a time to return to the promises we hear in Holy Scripture, promises that emerged in Israel's exilic time. In Isaiah 11, we read: "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." And in Isaiah 9. "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

And then an angel visited Mary. "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High."

As difficult as this time is for us, may we continue to live in the hope and faith received in God's promises and presence. Be continuous in prayer and share the good news!   Pastor John

Greetings to all in the name of Christ,

Christmas is drawing closer; most likely a different Christmas from those we have experienced in the past. For many of us, we are being confronted in one way or another with adapting our lives and activities because of a devastating viral pandemic. Our emotions are heightened with confusion, fear, and anger. I have heard that more than a few of us are wrestling with faith issues and concerns around all the matters emerging in our time. Again, many of us want a return to the "normal," and to be able to celebrate Christmas as we have done in previous years. But families and friends and loved ones are separated for numerous reasons; again many of us know and have been impacted by the presence of the virus in our community. Therefore, this is a time for prayer and faithful hope, calling upon the presence of God in Christ Jesus.

It is also a time to return to the promises we hear in Holy Scripture, promises that emerged in Israel's exilic time. In Isaiah 11, we read: "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." And in Isaiah 9. "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

And then an angel visited Mary. "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High."

As difficult as this time is for us, may we continue to live in the hope and faith received in God's promises and presence. Be continuous in prayer and share the good news!   Pastor John

Greetings to all in the name of Christ,

Christmas is drawing closer; most likely a different Christmas from those we have experienced in the past. For many of us, we are being confronted in one way or another with adapting our lives and activities because of a devastating viral pandemic. Our emotions are heightened with confusion, fear, and anger. I have heard that more than a few of us are wrestling with faith issues and concerns around all the matters emerging in our time. Again, many of us want a return to the "normal," and to be able to celebrate Christmas as we have done in previous years. But families and friends and loved ones are separated for numerous reasons; again many of us know and have been impacted by the presence of the virus in our community. Therefore, this is a time for prayer and faithful hope, calling upon the presence of God in Christ Jesus.

It is also a time to return to the promises we hear in Holy Scripture, promises that emerged in Israel's exilic time. In Isaiah 11, we read: "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." And in Isaiah 9. "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

And then an angel visited Mary. "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High."

As difficult as this time is for us, may we continue to live in the hope and faith received in God's promises and presence. Be continuous in prayer and share the good news!   Pastor John

Greetings to all in the name of Christ,

Christmas is drawing closer; most likely a different Christmas from those we have experienced in the past. For many of us, we are being confronted in one way or another with adapting our lives and activities because of a devastating viral pandemic. Our emotions are heightened with confusion, fear, and anger. I have heard that more than a few of us are wrestling with faith issues and concerns around all the matters emerging in our time. Again, many of us want a return to the "normal," and to be able to celebrate Christmas as we have done in previous years. But families and friends and loved ones are separated for numerous reasons; again many of us know and have been impacted by the presence of the virus in our community. Therefore, this is a time for prayer and faithful hope, calling upon the presence of God in Christ Jesus.

It is also a time to return to the promises we hear in Holy Scripture, promises that emerged in Israel's exilic time. In Isaiah 11, we read: "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." And in Isaiah 9. "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

And then an angel visited Mary. "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High."

As difficult as this time is for us, may we continue to live in the hope and faith received in God's promises and presence. Be continuous in prayer and share the good news!   Pastor John

Greetings to all in the name of Christ,

Christmas is drawing closer; most likely a different Christmas from those we have experienced in the past. For many of us, we are being confronted in one way or another with adapting our lives and activities because of a devastating viral pandemic. Our emotions are heightened with confusion, fear, and anger. I have heard that more than a few of us are wrestling with faith issues and concerns around all the matters emerging in our time. Again, many of us want a return to the "normal," and to be able to celebrate Christmas as we have done in previous years. But families and friends and loved ones are separated for numerous reasons; again many of us know and have been impacted by the presence of the virus in our community. Therefore, this is a time for prayer and faithful hope, calling upon the presence of God in Christ Jesus.

It is also a time to return to the promises we hear in Holy Scripture, promises that emerged in Israel's exilic time. In Isaiah 11, we read: "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." And in Isaiah 9. "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

And then an angel visited Mary. "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High."

As difficult as this time is for us, may we continue to live in the hope and faith received in God's promises and presence. Be continuous in prayer and share the good news!   Pastor John

Greetings to all in the name of Christ,

Christmas is drawing closer; most likely a different Christmas from those we have experienced in the past. For many of us, we are being confronted in one way or another with adapting our lives and activities because of a devastating viral pandemic. Our emotions are heightened with confusion, fear, and anger. I have heard that more than a few of us are wrestling with faith issues and concerns around all the matters emerging in our time. Again, many of us want a return to the "normal," and to be able to celebrate Christmas as we have done in previous years. But families and friends and loved ones are separated for numerous reasons; again many of us know and have been impacted by the presence of the virus in our community. Therefore, this is a time for prayer and faithful hope, calling upon the presence of God in Christ Jesus.

It is also a time to return to the promises we hear in Holy Scripture, promises that emerged in Israel's exilic time. In Isaiah 11, we read: "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." And in Isaiah 9. "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

And then an angel visited Mary. "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High."

As difficult as this time is for us, may we continue to live in the hope and faith received in God's promises and presence. Be continuous in prayer and share the good news!   Pastor John

Greetings to all in the name of Christ,

Christmas is drawing closer; most likely a different Christmas from those we have experienced in the past. For many of us, we are being confronted in one way or another with adapting our lives and activities because of a devastating viral pandemic. Our emotions are heightened with confusion, fear, and anger. I have heard that more than a few of us are wrestling with faith issues and concerns around all the matters emerging in our time. Again, many of us want a return to the "normal," and to be able to celebrate Christmas as we have done in previous years. But families and friends and loved ones are separated for numerous reasons; again many of us know and have been impacted by the presence of the virus in our community. Therefore, this is a time for prayer and faithful hope, calling upon the presence of God in Christ Jesus.

It is also a time to return to the promises we hear in Holy Scripture, promises that emerged in Israel's exilic time. In Isaiah 11, we read: "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." And in Isaiah 9. "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

And then an angel visited Mary. "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High."

As difficult as this time is for us, may we continue to live in the hope and faith received in God's promises and presence. Be continuous in prayer and share the good news!   Pastor John