I’m preparing my heart for advent preaching. I’ve often said that I am a student. I am a careful and diligent student, but I am not a scholar. I respect scholars and I depend on Spirit-gifted scholars, but I am not a scholar. I like to think of myself as a pastor-poet. David was a shepherd-poet. Jesus was a shepherd-storyteller-poet. I’m studying to prepare to present the stories of Jesus at Advent with the mind of a student and the heart of a poet.
If you are reading this and you have a moment pray for me. One of our men, Randy Brown, went to be with the Lord last week. His widow said she misses coming out into the family room in the morning and not finding him there on his knees praying. I know I was included in his prayers. I would be honored if you would include me in your prayers. If you ask, I will include you in my prayers.
In the Evangel pulpit this year I will be preaching glad tidings from Isaiah. Scholars say Isaiah is like the fifth gospel. It is the Romans of the Old Testament. Isaiah is filled with messianic passages that soar up to God. All my messages will be taken from Isaiah from Christmas Communion on December 1st to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. I’m praying for a warm heart and crafting the poetry of the messages now.
Maybe you can attend Evangel during Advent or Christmas and listen to some of the messages. If you live a long way away or attend another fellowship, maybe you could listen to the messages after I post them.
Thanks to Kyle Pierpont for the graphic
One year Pastor Graef used the Advent candle wreath and it was so very meaningful as he preached and prepared us for Christmas……..Praying that you have quality time to study God’s Word to prepare our hearts for Christmas this year……we realize that it is a very busy time for all of us……….