Dear Friends,
It’s the MOST wonderful time of the year … and I bet you couldn’t read that line without singing it in your head! Aside from being a popular lyric for an all-time great Christmas song, I believe those words are especially true for all of us here at St. Andrew. With Thanksgiving now behind us, the world turns its attention to Christmas. But before we get there, we find ourselves in the holy season known as Advent. Advent is a time in the church year marked by hope, peace, love and joy. Each week draws us closer to the celebration of the birth of Jesus!
Here at St. Andrew, the birth of Jesus is a pretty big deal (wink, wink) and we want you to be part of all the ways we’ll be preparing for the celebration. To that end, I invite you to make St. Andrew your “go-to” place for the best and most important part of the approaching holy season.
One of the most significant ways we celebrate Jesus is in worship. Twenty-seven worship opportunities, including five services on Christmas Eve, will be offered during the month of December. In addition to our usual Sunday morning, Monday night and special Christmas week services, there will be mid-week Advent Jazz Vespers and a special “Blue Christmas” service for those who may be grieving or searching for hope during the holiday season. We’ll also have special opportunities for families to gather at the Family Advent Party & Movie Night and the Children’s Pageant, too. All of these events will point us to the One who came into this world to make His home in our hearts and gather us into a family that celebrates His presence and thanks Him for His presents!
Family gatherings, worship services, cookie parties, and celebrations of all kinds … I guess it really is the most wonderful time of the year! As you prepare to celebrate and make room for all the people, places, sounds, and sights of the season, my hope and prayer is that you continue to find Jesus at the center of it all.
With love and thanksgiving for the family we are at St. Andrew, for all who are working hard to encourage our celebration, and all who will join us in worship and activities, I wish you the blessings of Jesus during Advent, and in the coming Christmas season!
Peace, Blessings, and Love,
Nick
Pastor González