Contemplation and reflection have always been avenues for human advancement and development.  Albert Einstein, the icon for modern humanities mental advancement in modern history, is said to have patiently waited at a bridge for a friend who was running late.  When the man arrived he began to apologize for keeping the great physicist and professor late; yet Dr. Einstein insisted it was alright for he could think leaning on the wall of the bridge as well as at his office.  Albert Einstein understood the power of quiet contemplation.  When Jesus decided to choose the twelve disciples he went off by himself to pray and reflect on the decision with the Father.  The Lord communed with the complete Holy Trinity for life changing, actually world changing decisions.  We might say well Albert was a remarkable genius and Jesus is the incarnation of the God Head, how can you compare them to the rest of us?  This of course is true but that is the point.  One of the greatest created minds understood the power of contemplative reflection, thus we should consider the possibilities for ourselves.  The other is Divine and understands the creation as only a designer could.  He demonstrated the need to take our life issues to God in quiet contemplation and worship.

As we reflect on the past year and consider the changes and opportunities the new year brings let us involve the power of the Holy Spirit of God.  Together we can share the start of the New Year with prayer song and word, while each contemplating his/her own year to come.  We will have a service of worship and contemplation for the year to come this New Year Eve.  It will begin at 6:00 pm.  There should be plenty of time to make other New Years engagements.  However, none will provide the opportunity to positively affect your coming year like this service with God and friends.  I look forward to seeing you at the service.  Have a safe New Year!

Sunday morning our church will participate in a Community Service with all the churches in Archer City.  We will have our normal Sunday School classes and begin our communion service at 10:30 a.m.  in our sanctuary. We will then go to the First Baptist at 11:00 a.m. for a special community worship service with all the churches in Archer City. Our guest preacher is Craig Nedrow, an evangelist from McKinney, Texas, who has felt called to deliver a particular message to God’s people: STAND UP 4 JESUS!   A meal will be served in the Family Life Center at the Baptist Church following the service.

May the Grace and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Pastor Rick

The season of Advent has been with us since the fourth century, although it has not been a part of the liturgical observance of all denominations and churches. With the mixing of Christmas and Advent during the weeks leading up to Christmas Day, there is often confusion of the two. Here are the basics of Advent:

When. Advent marks the beginning of the church year. It begins with the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and ends Christmas Eve. If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, Advent will last four full weeks. If Christmas Day falls on any other day of the week, Advent will last less than four weeks. If Christmas falls on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, all of Advent will be in December. If Christmas falls on any other day of the week, Advent will begin in November.

What. Advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, meaning “coming.” It is a season to prepare for the coming of Christ in various meanings: the promised coming of the Messiah to the Jews, the coming of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, the promised return of the risen Christ in final victory, and the continual coming of Christ into the lives and hearts of believers.

Liturgical Context. Advent, which marks the beginning of the liturgical year, is part of the cycle of seasons that includes Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, all related in some fashion to the coming of Jesus. That cycle is followed by Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and the long Pentecost season.

History. Advent began in France in the fourth century. In various times and locations of the church, Advent has been observed for three, four, and six weeks leading to Christmas. Some churches today are experimenting with incorporating Advent themes and symbols in worship during the weeks prior to the actual start of Advent in the hope that they can avoid the conflict of Advent versus Christmas observance during the immediate weeks prior to Christmas. (See “A Modest Proposal for Advent/Christmas Peace.”)

Color. The color for Advent has traditionally been purple. Some churches have adopted blue for Advent. In practice, however, as churches increasingly incorporate the symbols and decorations of Christmas during Advent, more and more we see red, green, and gold appearing. The United Methodist Book of Worship upholds the traditional color of purple for Advent, signifying penitence and royalty; but it also allows blue, the color of hope.

Themes, Images, Symbols, and Practices. There are a number of historic and traditional themes observed during Advent:

• Preparing to celebrate the coming of Christ:
  • The coming of the Messiah to the Jews.
  • The coming of Jesus into the world at Bethlehem.
  • The second coming of Jesus in final victory.
  • The continual coming of Jesus into the hearts and lives of believers.
• A time of penitence and fasting, austerity, seriousness, reading of Scripture, hearing and proclaiming the Word in sermon and song; waiting and longing for the Messiah’s coming.
• Symbols: Chrismon tree with its white monograms, the Jesse tree, Advent calendars, trumpets (for Isaiah), the messianic rose, star of Jacob, and fleur-de-lis. Modern innovation includes the use of an Advent wreath with four candles and themes around hope-peace-love-joy, John-Elizabeth-Joseph-Mary, or some other pattern.
• Our Book of Worship (p.238) calls for the following themes for the Sundays of Advent:
  • First Sunday: the final return of Christ in victory; the Second Coming
  • Second and Third Sundays: John the Baptist, his role, his words, his teachings
  • Fourth Sunday: the events immediately preceding Jesus’ birth

taken from ‘All About Advent’ by Dean McIntyre

Ash Wednesday is approaching quickly, then we will be in the season of Lent.  Have you put much thought into this time of reflection?  Have you done any soul searching?  What about living the next 40 days in self-less love?  Do you know who Christ is?  Do you know why you are a Christian and what it means to live a Christian life?  These are a few of the questions we ought to be reflecting on.  Truth be told, it is what we should be doing on a regular basis, but do we?  Lent is a purposeful time for that and we begin its season on February 25 with the Ash Wednesday Service.

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