Advent & Christmas 2022
The Light Shines in the Darkness
November 27, 2022 • Rev. Adam Feichtmann • John 1:1–5
“Advent begins in the dark.” These words are a famous description of the season of Advent from Fleming Rutledge. As we enter Advent this Sunday and prepare to celebrate Christmas, we remember that the world is not the way it’s supposed to be. On one hand it’s “the most wonderful time of the year,” but on the other hand it’s one of the darkest times of year. In Genesis 1 God spoke over the darkness and said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. In John 1 God’s Word once more speaks over the darkness. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” This Sunday we’ll begin our Advent sermon series through chapter one of the Gospel of John, by looking at John 1:1-5. In preparation for our time together, read these verses and spend a few minutes meditating on the theological significance of Jesus being the Word - who is also the light that shines in the darkness. I look forward to singing Advent songs with you this Sunday as we prepare for the joy of Christmas! Pastor Adam
The True Light Comes to the World
December 4, 2022 • Rev. Josh Hahne • John 1:9–13
If you were tasked with writing a great treatise about Jesus, how would you begin? John says something that at once captured and intrigued his audience: “In the beginning was the word… In him was life, and that life was the light of men.…The true light...was coming into the world.” Join us this Sunday as we continue our Advent series in the prologue of John’s Gospel. Pastor Josh
The Word Became Flesh
December 11, 2022 • Rev. Josh Hahne • John 1:14–18
This Sunday we will consider a single sentence of John’s magisterial prologue. We do so, since there is no sentence that is so critical to your understanding of the incarnation and your celebration of advent, as John 1:14, “The Word (logos) became flesh and dwelt among us…” We look forward to seeing you on Sunday Pastor Josh
Behold, the Lamb of God
December 18, 2022 • Rev. Josh Hahne • John 1:6–8, John 1:19–34
During this season, we remember the advent, or coming, of Christ. But why did Christ come? What was the purpose of the incarnation? This Sunday we’ll consider what John the Baptist said about Jesus to answer that question. Pastor Josh
Christmas Homily
December 25, 2022 • Rev. Adam Feichtmann
The wait is almost over! Tomorrow evening ushers in a new season, a season of rejoicing and feasting as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ together. For Christmas Eve we will sing the great Christmas carols we love, interspersed with scripture readings ("lessons”). The celebration will continue the next morning with a special Christmas Day worship service. To help build your anticipation, I would encourage you to sing the carol O Come, O Come Emmanuel one last time and read through chapter 1 of the Gospel of John. Our Christmas day homily will be on John 1:35-51 and will focus on the good news that The King of Israel has come from Nazareth. I look forward to worshiping with you all this weekend! Pastor Adam