On the first Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2023, we celebrated the First Sunday in Advent.

Advent, derived from the Latin word "adventus" meaning "coming" or "visit," is a season imbued with anticipation and reflection, marking the commencement of the Christian liturgical year. Spanning four Sundays leading up to Christmas and culminating on Christmas Eve, Advent is a time of spiritual preparation, where Christians across the world ready their hearts for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

This season is a journey through time—honoring the deep yearning of Jews for a Messiah and our own profound need for forgiveness, salvation, and a fresh start. Advent is a duality of celebration: it commemorates the historical birth of Jesus in a modest Bethlehem stable while simultaneously looking forward to the second coming of Christ, fulfilling the promises of the first.

The scripture readings included Isaiah 64:1-9 and Mark 13:24-37:

1. Isaiah 64:1-9: This passage is a heartfelt plea for God's intervention. The prophet Isaiah expresses a deep longing for God to reveal His power and presence, as He did in the past. He acknowledges the sins and shortcomings of the people, yet appeals to God's nature as a Father and potter, shaping and molding His people. Isaiah asks for mercy and forgiveness, recognizing the people's total dependence on God's grace.

2. Mark 13:24-37: This passage contains Jesus' teachings about the end times and His second coming. He describes cosmic disturbances and the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. Jesus emphasizes the importance of staying alert and ready, as no one knows the day or hour of His return. He uses the parable of a man leaving his house and putting his servants in charge, each with their own task, and instructs them to stay awake, symbolizing the need for vigilance and preparedness for His return.

Both passages focus on anticipation and preparedness: Isaiah anticipates God's intervention and forgiveness, while Mark emphasizes being alert for Jesus' return. They capture the Advent themes of waiting, hope, and preparation for God's actions in the world.

Pastor Bruce Johnson's sermon, delivered on this first Sunday of Advent, focused on the themes of light, darkness, and waiting in anticipation of God's intervention. He began by acknowledging the busyness of the holiday season and the importance of pausing to worship. The sermon drew on cultural references, such as the movie "Christmas Vacation," to illustrate our human attempts to create light and joy, often resulting in frustration and emptiness.

The pastor then shifted to a more somber reflection on global events, specifically mentioning the Israeli Defense Forces' actions in Gaza and the resurgence of antisemitism. This led to a discussion of Hanukkah, its historical background, and its significance as a symbol of hope amid darkness.

The sermon also included a detailed examination of Isaiah 64:1-9, portraying it as a communal lament expressing deep longing for God's presence and acknowledgment of human unfaithfulness. Pastor Bruce emphasized the importance of recognizing our own darkness and the need for God's light.

In conclusion, Pastor Bruce related these themes to Advent, a time of waiting and preparation for Christ's coming. He encouraged the congregation to seek hope and light in Jesus Christ, rather than in worldly efforts or distractions. The sermon ended with a call to worship and embrace the true hope of the world in Jesus, signified by the lighting of candles and the singing of "Have Thine Own Way, Lord."

Our Advent Wreath was lit by Thomas and Megan Parker

A Moment for Missions:

Maya Berry provided a comprehensive update on the significant contributions of Ruthie and Richie Wiewiora to Pender's Missionaries. As integral members of the global communications team based in Orlando, Florida, the Wiewioras play a pivotal role in supporting missionaries across the globe. Their longstanding involvement with Pender's Faith Promise missions has been a mutually supportive relationship, with the church consistently backing their missionary service.

Their work involves extensive research and implementation of support strategies for missionaries in the field, extending their reach beyond campus ministries through the use of innovative apps and digital platforms for global information dissemination. Notably, Richie has been instrumental in developing a multifaceted app featuring 100 different functions, including real-time translation. This feature is particularly beneficial for enhancing communication about God, ministry, and the saving grace of Jesus Christ, especially during short-term missions, and supports an impressive range of 100 languages. Additionally, the Wiewioras have introduced novel communication tools in their ministry, using symbols to represent key concepts like love, division, forgiveness, and inquiry, effectively initiating conversations about Jesus Christ's unconditional love, our separation from Him, His forgiveness, and personal reflection on faith.

Maya also highlighted a specific prayer request for the Wiewioras, asking for prayers for wisdom as they explore new methods to share the Gospel and support missionaries working with the Crew organization on college campuses. She also expressed her readiness to provide more information about the faith promise missions to those interested, underscoring her commitment to the missionary cause.

Children Message:

In a Children's message, Donna Parker focused on the theme of waiting, as derived from Mark 13. She asked who enjoys waiting, admitting her own impatience, and linked the scripture to waiting for Jesus' return. Donna mentioned that an average person spends three years of their life waiting, using examples like waiting in stores or for school recess. She referenced Dr. Seuss's book, "Oh, The Places You'll Go," which talks about a 'waiting place'.

Donna suggested that while waiting can seem unproductive, it's actually an opportunity to engage in meaningful activities, like reading the Bible or preparing for daily tasks. She emphasized the importance of the Advent season, a time of waiting for Christmas and also for Jesus' return. Parker encouraged children to find joy in this waiting period by understanding the true meaning of Christmas, enjoying festive music and decorations, and engaging in worship, praise, love, service, and sharing God's love with others. She concluded with a prayer, thanking God for the 'waiting place' and asking for the ability to be productive during this time.

During this vibrant service, Pender's Contemporary Praise Band uplifted the congregation with an inspiring selection of songs that beautifully blended the joyous spirit of the season with heartfelt worship.

Their repertoire included:

"Joy to the World/Joy of the Lord": A lively mash-up that combined the traditional Christmas carol "Joy to the World" with the contemporary worship song "Joy of the Lord," creating an energetic celebration of Christ's birth and the enduring joy found in faith.

"O Come All Ye Faithful": A classic hymn inviting everyone to join in a joyful and triumphant acknowledgment of the nativity.

"Change My Heart, God": A reflective, prayerful song asking for divine transformation and guidance, adding a contemplative depth to the worship experience.

"Angels We Have Heard on High": The band brought to life this beloved carol, known for its soaring chorus 'Gloria', which joyfully recounts the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth.

"Joy of the Lord" (Reprise): Revisiting this uplifting tune, the band reinforced its message of finding strength and joy in the Lord, a theme resonating deeply during the Advent season.

Through this diverse mix of music, the band led the congregation in a worship experience that was both rejuvenating and spiritually enriching.