This Sunday: 

"What's In A Name?"

Matthew 1:18-25

In-person and Live Stream to Facebook and YouTube at 10:30 AM

We are coming to the fourth Sunday in Advent – Love. That is something that seems missing from much of our conversation in America today, even and perhaps especially, this time of year. To love one’s neighbor takes effort because one’s neighbor is not always so loveable. However, we can turn it inside out and ask ourselves the question, “How loveable have I been in my interactions this week?” if you’re at the top of your game, good for you. Yet, I believe most of us struggle to love and to be loved. Which is why we need each other on Advent 4, worshipping together.

What I am grateful for, this fourth Sunday of Advent, among many things, is the love that you and I have from God through Jesus. Even if we cannot always love our neighbor, we can certainly return to a word from God and be reminded of how much God loves us. Paul writes in the book of Ephesians, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” That’s how much God loves us. Through Jesus, God includes us into the family of God, by adopting us. We are now fully children of God! Join us this Sunday as we look at the Christmas story from Matthew 1: 18-25.

Christmas is just around the corner, and we have three Christmas services for you to choose from. On Saturday, December 24^th, we will have a Family Christmas Service at 3:00 pm and a Candlelight Christmas Service at 6:00 pm. On Sunday, December 25, we will have a traditional Christmas Service with lots of Christmas carols at 10:30 am. I hope you will find a time and service to join us for Christmas!

Pastor Steve

• Prayers for healing for Theresa Nguyen following a cancer diagnosis.
• Prayers for Miss Brooke's daughter and their family as they navigate her health and treatment.
• Kayla, Aurien Preiss' half sister in Nebraska had back surgery a week ago, and is still in severe pain. Prayers for pain relief and a fast recovery.
• Aurien Preiss' sister, Penny, has a severe upper respiratory infection. Prayers for quick healing.
• Prayers for continued improvement for Carol McNulty, Aurien Preiss' mom, as she continues with physical and occupational therapy.
• Prayers for healing for Phyllis Ostrand.
• Prayers for comfort and peace for Marjorie Reese as she is entering her final stages of life.
• Prayers for healing for Jennifer, niece of Kathleen Reese.
• Prayers for health and peace for Dana Engstrom's father.
• Prayers for Bonnie Straley’s brothers, Len and Larry and also his wife, Ann, for healing; and also Daphne and Cassidy for God’s guidance.
• Prayers for continued healing for Jennifer Coughenour's mom, Lavita Costley, following a hospitalization.
• Prayers for comfort and healing for Sharon Dalbke, niece of Ron and Phyllis Ostrand, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
• Prayers for comfort and peace for Marilyn, Annie Duarte's great aunt, as she is in hospice care.
• Kent, a friend of Jeff Clarke and Debbie Campouris, is in need of continued prayers as he navigates his diagnosis.
• Dana Engstrom, the preschool director, is battling long COVID. Prayers for complete healing for her.