3rd Sunday of Advent - A King Worth Rejoicing In - First Covenant Church of Willmar

Christmas Eve Service: Majesty - A King Worth Living For

December 24, 2022

The Season of Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of our King. As the day draws near the wonder and celebration of our glorious King is finally upon us. We have made such a spectacle out of our Christmas celebrations, that unless we consciously stop and remember the story of Christ’s birth, we run the risk of rushing right past the Christ of Christmas. Over the past four weeks, we have contrasted the earthly kings and rulers that we desire but who constantly fall short of expectations, with the Heavenly King who is worthy of your hope, your preparation, and your joyous celebration. This is The King who loves you first. This Saturday we celebrate the Birth of our Savior and LORD, Jesus Christ. On one of the darkest and longest nights of the year we proclaim that light has come into the world. We again turn to the Prophet Isaiah, 8:19-9:7 and consider that Jesus is a King Worth Living For. Join us this Saturday at 4:30 pm for our Christmas Eve Candlelight service with prelude music beginning at 4 pm.

Christmas Day - A King Worthy of Our Praise

December 25, 2022 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Isaiah 8:19–22, Isaiah 9:1–7, Isaiah 12

The Season of Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of our King. As the day draws near the wonder and celebration of our glorious King is finally upon us. We have made such a spectacle out of our Christmas celebrations, that unless we consciously stop and remember the story of Christ’s birth, we run the risk of rushing right past the Christ of Christmas. Over the past four weeks, we have contrasted the earthly kings and rulers that we desire but who constantly fall short of expectations, with the Heavenly King who is worthy of your hope, your preparation, and your joyous celebration. This is The King who loves you first. This Saturday we celebrate the Birth of our Savior and LORD, Jesus Christ. On one of the darkest and longest nights of the year we proclaim that light has come into the world. We again turn to the Prophet Isaiah, 8:19-9:7 and consider that Jesus is a King Worth Living For. Join us this Saturday at 4:30 pm for our Christmas Eve Candlelight service with prelude music beginning at 4 pm. You are also invited to worship on Christmas Morning at 9 am as we continue our celebration, acknowledging that Jesus is a King Worthy of Our Praise. Isaiah 12 is a hymn of praise. Just as Wise Men brought their gifts in recognition of the newborn king, so we bring our praise as a declaration of gratitude for our Messiah

4th Sunday in Advent - A King Who Loves Us

December 18, 2022 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Isaiah 54, John 3:16–21, 1 John 4:7–16

Since the early days of the Christian Church, faithful followers recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecies recorded hundreds of years earlier. God had been preparing his people for a long time. God’s story of redemption -- as recorded in the Scriptures -- can only be described as a labor of love. Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love. Jesus told a religious leader named Nicodemus that God’s love for the world was so great that he sent his one and only son. Jesus came not to condemn or punish the world, but to save it! This Sunday, we celebrate our fourth Sunday in Advent by declaring that our Heavenly King loves you. While the earthly rulers we crave merely demand affection from you, your Heavenly King loved you first. You have done nothing to earn His affection and you are unable to force Him to retract His love for you. The disciple who was known for being loved by Jesus recognized that the motivating characteristic of our Heavenly Father is love. This Sunday, we celebrate the love the Father has for you and the fulfillment of that love in Jesus the Messiah. In preparation for this Sunday, read Isaiah 54:1-17, John 3:16-21 and 1 John 4:7-16.