Happy New (Church) Year!

On Sunday I surprised a few folks by beginning the welcome with "Happy New Year."
Sunday, November 29th marked the first Sunday of the new church year.
The year begins with the Advent, or Christmas, season.
Advent is simply the Latin for "Arrival."
We take the four Sundays leading up to Christmas to prepare for the arrival of Jesus.
(Read some cool stuff about Advent at http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

This "arrival" is two-fold.
First, we remember and celebrate the arrival of Jesus in the flesh, or Immanuel, "God with us."
But even as we celebrate the miracle of the first arrival, the incarnation, this gives us hope for the next arrival, the return of Jesus. How great is that! The church is full of rich and wonderful traditions to help us center our lives on Jesus and grow in our faith.

(Anyone surprised to read about "tradition" from the pastor planting a new church that meets in a movie theatre? The truth is, I love the churches rich history almost as much as I love the churches glorious future.)

The point is this:
Start the new year now!
Front load the Christmas season, and get a head start on 2010.
Get ready to celebrate "God with us" this Christmas.
Do a family devotional this season, and start now!
Click on the link below if you were not at worship on Sunday to pick up a Jesse Tree Devotional.
http://www.create-kids-crafts.com/the-jesse-tree.html

Start your bible reading plan NOW!
We have some great resources at Connections, and there's an infinite amount of stuff online.
Go to http://www.biblegateway.com/ if you want to sign up for some "e-votional" materials, print out a plan, or even listen to the bible online.

Make your commitment to be a part of the church NOW!
Be in worship all of Advent.
Join up with a home group.
Become a giver to the church and let that start with our Christmas Offering.