This has been an exciting week as members and friends of First Covenant Church have generously supported this year’s Harvest Offering. This Sunday, we will celebrate God’s faithfulness to us and our joy in giving our time, talent, treasure, and testimony in service to God’s Kingdom. We will give thanks to God in our corporate worship. We will also celebrate together with an all church potluck immediately following the morning service. 

---This Sunday marks the beginning of the Church's New Year. The Church calendar begins with Advent, a time of anticipation as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and look forward to Jesus' second coming. Year after year in our society, this season can get swallowed up in all of the holiday preparations. There is decorating to do, gifts to purchase, correspondence with loved ones, and planning for family gatherings. Advent can also be a time of mourning as we grieve the death of family and friends who will be absent from our gatherings, or who are unable to attend traditional gatherings. This year's Advent Theme is entitled, "People, Get Ready." This means we are to be watching - hopefully; waiting - peacefully; walking - joyfully; and wondering - lovingly.  

---Our world is full of distractions and feelings of hopelessness. However, Jesus' followers were promised that he would return one day at the conclusion of time, and all things would be made right. Our hope is an eternity with our God, and Jesus will return to take us home. The first disciples would watch the heavens in hopeful expectation of Jesus' return. We, too, are invited to look up and watch hopefully, not with dread or anxiety, but with confident assurance. Our hope is secure, so look up. Jesus will return, just as he promised.