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Join us as we explore the urgency embedded in Jesus' command to make disciples and teach obedience, as this message challenges us to contemplate whether we view it as a compelling directive or merely an optional choice – prompting us to reflect on the true essence of discipleship and proactive engagement in spreading the teachings of Christ.
The journey to Jesus takes us through a journey to the cross. Laying down our all to pick up and be transformed into the likeness of Christ— His character, His love, His forgiveness, His joy.
This Sunday is the start to the Advent season, a time to contemplate and remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is through Him that we have hope. What an incredible gift! Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
Embrace the profound difference between the world's clamor to "be who you want to be" and God's resounding declaration that "you are Mine, a chosen, holy people." Who we are centers around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—our ultimate gift of redemption. As we come together to celebrate Holy Communion, let us remember that God calls us His own, and it's in this divine truth that we find our purpose and identity.
In life, we encounter moments of despair, confusion, and limitation. It is during these times that we may feel lost, spiritually blind, and unable to move forward. Yet, it is essential to remember that it is in the in-between where Jesus shows up most powerfully. He bridges the gap between our struggles and ultimate transformation. Jesus is our in between.
Are you a fan or follower of Jesus? Fans like that He came down, spent some time and gave us some morally right tools to use to live this life. That’s all well and good, but it doesn’t match up to who Jesus truly is— the anointed One, the Savior of the world, the Overcomer, God incarnate. Now, if you’re a follower, you’ve given up all of who you are to step in the steps of Christ— His life loving others, His death to sin, and His resurrection of the body. As we celebrate Holy Communion this weekend, let us remember that Jesus, God incarnate came in human form so that He could suffer, die and rise again so that as disciples, as followers of Him, we too may recognize the cost and follow wholeheartedly.
No matter what kind of suffering you face, there is life-giving hope that springs forth from our merciful God. In his loyal love and faithfulness, God comes alongside us in our suffering in order to strengthen our faith, purify our lives, and heal our hearts by centering us on Christ and the good news of the gospel.
There was an urgency in Jesus’ statement, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Why? Because He calls us out into the dark world to bring the light of His life, death, and resurrection so that all may know the salvation of the Lord through no other means than Jesus Christ. Let us have the same eagerness to sit down with the Ones in our lives that need to know the Lord’s suffering in order for them to have a relationship with God.
We come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. Through this service of communion and candlelight, we will hear prophecies spoken and prophecies fulfilled through this child who came to us in a manger. Joy to the World the Lord has come. Light has shown in the darkness of our lives.
As followers of Christ, we are to continue to walk and be focused on Him. When you look at the world, it is easy to become afraid or lose hope. But in Christ, we have hope now until the end when He returns. This hope comes to us as Emmanuel, God with us. It is this blessed hope that came in a cradle that we focus on through the cross that gives us the gift of eternal life.
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WORSHIP GATHERINGS:
Sundays at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. 835 Riverside Avenue Torrington, CT 06790 See our regathering info here PHONE (860) 482-4705 OFFICE EMAIL secretary@firstcong.com GENERAL CHURCH EMAIL fcongrchurch@optonline.net |