Advent 2023 Sermon Series: Immanuel

Sermon Series: "Immanuel"

Advent is about waiting, and we find it very hard to wait. But Advent is also about preparation while we wait. Beyond the busyness of Christmas preparation, the most important preparation is the preparation for God's presence that goes on in our hearts. As Tish Harrison Warren reminds us, "Throughout its history, the church has observed Advent as a preparation not only for the first coming of Christ in his incarnation but also for his second coming at the last day. It's also about a third coming: the coming of Christ to meet us in our present moment, to make us holy by his Word and Sacrament." For Advent 2023, FPC is exploring all the "tenses" of Advent preparation, recognizing that God has been present with us in our past, that God is present with us now, and that God will be present with us in the future. Most of all, this year we will approach Advent as a prayer for God's promised presence:  "God....be with us." Amen.

December 3 - "Hope with Us"
December 10 - "Peace with Us"
December 17 - "Joy with Us"
December 24 (morning) - "Love with Us"
December 24 (evening) - "God with Us"