Year of Grace

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

For everything there is a season, a time for every matter in life. Our good God orders all things in heaven and on earth. In our lives of faith, we can say the same. Our Lord works all things for the eternal good of those who love him! Each year he gives is another year of his grace and we can give him thanks as he makes everything beautiful in its time.

In the church year we follow along with our Lord's life and ministry. We have observances,

commemorations, seasons and celebrations. Here we are at Advent. This season has to do

with anticipation, expectation of God’s coming rescue. For Advent anticipates the Nativity of our Savior!

With Advent we also begin another year of grace. “The year of grace”, is a phrase dating back to the late middle ages referring to any year of the Christian era, that is, the time until now dated from Christ's birth.

We kick off the season with a special midweek series of Advent services in the St. John sanctuary each Wednesday at 7:00 PM. This is of course following our fellowship meal beginning at 5:30. Soup and Service, what a wonderful combination! Advent anticipates Christ’s coming and we will soon celebrate on the eve of the Nativity, with our 5:00 PM Christmas Eve celebration. This service will conclude with Holy Communion. Also, as we have done in previous years we will once more offer a special Christmas Day service at 10:00 AM. This is also a full service with Holy Communion. Each of our Christmas services offers different readings, hymnody, and a different sermon.

As I have shared in the past, there are two parts to this Church Year: The Time of our Lord and The Time of the Church. The Time of our Lord begins with the celebration of Advent and the Nativity all the way through our Lord’s Ascension after Pentecost/Trinity. The Time of the Church begins with the season of Trinity. In these weeks and months of Trinity, growth in faith is the emphasis that comes through in the appointed readings. Through all the seasons we journey with Jesus, celebrating key times of his life and ministry as he reveals himself in his works and in his words. Let us together begin again another year of God’s grace!

Pastor