Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,
Greetings of peace to you.
Happy New Year! That’s correct. We begin a new liturgical year this Sunday. A time for a fresh start in our faith journeys as we practice the spiritual discipline of waiting and expectation in this season of Advent. What are you waiting for in this new year? What are you hoping for Jesus to do in your life, and in the lives of those you love? How will the Holy Spirit show up for you? As the story of Advent and Christmas shows us, She often does so in the most unexpected ways and through the most unexpected people.
So, come this First Sunday of Advent to see what God is up to in this new liturgical year. Tom will be leading us in our hymns and will sing the Anthem “Joy Unto the World.” I am preaching from Daniel 6.6-23, 25-26 — Daniel in the lions’ den. What does THAT story have to do with Advent? Come and find out. My sermon title is The Living God. As it is the First Sunday of the month, we will gather around the Lord’s table of amazing grace and welcome and celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
Beloved, if you have been away from church for a while or have been attending every Sunday, I hope to see you in worship as we begin a fresh start in the new year.
With gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,
Pastor Trish