Worship Preview - Advent 2: Advent in Plain Sight: Gates

First United Methodist Church

This Weekend: “Advent in Plain Sight: Gates”

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Jeremiah 7:1-7, Matthew 24: 29-35, Acts 3:1-10

Sunday we continue the Advent journey towards Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Christ. We use this time to prepare our hearts and minds for Christ’s coming. The sacred is all around us and this year we are focusing on the way “ordinary” items and experiences can help reveal that. Gateways, doorways, and thresholds are so common we often overlook them – or we’ll joke about forgetting what we walked into the room for. Advent is about focusing and being intentional about what we are searching for and doing. Advent is about recognizing that the Lord is near, “at the very gates.” Considering the texts above and others from Scripture, we rejoice in the day the Lord has made. We pay homage. We enter into his courtyards. Every time we do so – indeed each time we breath in we are in God’s presence – we ought to ask if our deeds match our doctrine and reflect God’s will. Jeremiah reminds us never to walk through the Lord’s gates without taking seriously what the Lord requires. Yet in this season, we approach not with trepidation but experiencing Comfort and Joy. We seek and experience the peace of Christ through God’s grace, which enables our growth and change. This Advent, “fling wide the portals of your heart.”

Sunday Schedule

9:30am Classes: Ebb & Flow, Faith Builders, Youth Group

Nursery and Sunday Morning Explorers for kids.

10:30am Worship in the Sanctuary and on Facebook Live

Afternoon – worship recording posted to YouTube

Visit www.firstumcfortscott.org for links and to find out more about what we believe, what to expect as a visitor, and info on our ministries

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, December 13, 5:30–6:30pm: Feeding Families in His Name – this weekly free meal is available to everyone without obligation. A “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. A reminder: Please do not block nearby driveways while waiting. Thank you. If you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at www.firstumcfortscott.org/onlinegiving

Thursday, December 14th 1:30pm United Women in Faith meet in our Parlor to install 2024 officers and welcome new participants - all women of the community are invited to be a part of our branch of an international organization which seeks to connect and nurture women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, creative fellowship, and education so that they can inspire, influence, and impact local and global communities. Call the church office at (620) 223-1950 for more information!

Sunday, December 24th is both the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. We will have our normal 10:30am worship service that morning, celebrating Advent 4 and then at 7pm that evening, our Christmas Candlelight and Communion service. This year we are again passing the light using real candles! All are welcome at Christ’s table and we hope you’ll join us at one or both services this holy day for a wonderful celebration of God with us!