This Sunday we’ll be exploring the Advent theme of love. The word advent simply means “arrival.” So in the Christian tradition the celebration of Advent is about the arrival of the promised Messiah, Jesus, God’s Son. The Advent season also hints at the second arrival of Christ that will happen in the future (maybe in our lifetime!). 

Happy Thanksgiving Ren Church family and friends! 

My hope is that you might find the time to read and reflect on these thoughts before heading into the activities of the day. My aim is to stir gratitude. Now, there are thousands upon thousands of things to be grateful for: breath, life, health, food, shelter, loved ones, sausage stuffing, sunshine, a bed to sleep in, heat, good books, coffee, the stars in the sky, a dog. I’m sure we could each make a long list of specific things we are thankful for. What I want to remind you of is perhaps the greatest of all things to be thankful for—the gospel message. 

The Lord has been moving at Ren and in the city. I believe it’s more than just the excitement of the pandemic fading and being able to gather in-person again. The pandemic season has tested God’s people to the core. It’s been a sort of wilderness experience. We’ve been isolated and the “rains” have been withheld for a time. All this hardship has not been in vain though. The Lord has been humbling and breaking us; He’s been preparing us. Hosea 10:12 comes to mind:

As we emerge out of the long wintery pandemic and into this new season of renewal, my heart is bursting with hope. It’s been wonderful to see so many people returning to Sunday gatherings, as well as seeing new people who recently moved to the area. It’s not just the influx of people that is exciting, but it’s the atmosphere of expectancy and joy. The presence of God has been palpable in our midst. Mission initiatives are in full swing. Small communities are developing in various geographic locations. God is on the move!  

With this blizzard upon us it seems wise to take a snow day tomorrow. Even though the forecast for Sunday is sunny, the issue is snow removal. Some of us may need to spend hours just getting out of our driveways. It’s also hard to predict if the roads will be clear in the morning given the amount of snow as well as worker shortages. The parking lots at the church are not ours so we aren’t certain they would even be usable. It’s a good day to stay home, stay safe, and stay warm.