On December 10, 2023, the second Sunday of Advent, Pastor Bruce Johnson delivered an impassioned sermon titled “God’s Comforting Word,” drawing from the profound scriptures of Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8. He began by reflecting on a cherished Christmas tradition: the heartfelt listening and singing of George Friedrich Handel's Messiah. Pastor Johnson shared his own experiences of participating in this magnificent oratorio, a musical journey that transcends Christmas to embrace the themes of Good Friday and Easter.

He recounted a memorable tradition from a former congregation, where Easter Sunday worshipers were invited to spontaneously sing the Hallelujah chorus. Despite their lack of professional musicianship, their fervor and faith filled the air, creating a moment of unrecorded but deeply felt praise. This chorus, he noted, starts with a tenor's quiet voice in Handel's Messiah, echoing Isaiah's words of comfort from the King James Version - a text synonymous with Handel's 18th-century England.

The Pastor eloquently described how Handel’s melody carries the message of comfort and hope, a beacon in a troubled world. This message, he explained, was particularly resonant for the Hebrew people who, as Isaiah revealed, had endured 40 years of exile in Babylon. Many had lost touch with the glories of Jerusalem and the Promised Land, their current plight a result of their ancestors' faithlessness.

Pastor Johnson highlighted the duality of God’s nature as both a disciplinarian and a merciful savior, a theme echoed in Handel’s oratorio. The Pastor then transitioned to discussing how God’s word, vivid in the Book of Hebrews as a living, active force, translated into historical action. He illustrated this with the eventual return of the Hebrews to Judah and a restored Jerusalem in 538 BC, as prophesied by Isaiah.

The sermon further delved into the historical contexts where God’s voice and actions have shaped the course of humanity - from the creation narrative to the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt. Pastor Johnson emphasized the continuing relevance of these divine interventions, culminating in the arrival of Jesus Christ. He explained that Advent is not just a preparation for celebrating Christ’s birth but an acknowledgment of God’s self-revelation through history.

Pastor Johnson also stressed the importance of prophets, including John the Baptist, as essential voices leading to Jesus’ arrival. He urged the congregation to see themselves as modern-day prophets, sharing the good news and embodying Jesus’ transformative message. The sermon concluded with an invitation to join in a collective affirmation of faith, a "Hallelujah" to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, regardless of one's singing abilities.

Finally, the congregation was invited to sing "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," a hymn that embodies both the celebration of Christ's first coming and the anticipation of his joyous return. In this way, Pastor Johnson’s sermon on “God’s Comforting Word” became a powerful call to faith, reflection, and joyous anticipation during the Advent season.