Almost Advent Greetings Beloved,

How are you as we look to the season of Advent which begins this Sunday? Advent is a special time set aside to prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to welcome Him into our lives again in renewed ways. For me, it is a season of repentance, confession, reflection, listening, and preparation. What does this season mean for you, or what would you like it to mean to you?

Several years ago, Pastor Marc invited us to choose a word to contemplate over Advent. I have not yet picked my word for this year, but words that have been offered to me in the past were listen and ponder. As I remain open to the word God’s Spirit might offer me this Advent season, I am thinking about hope because in the Friedens community we join folx near and far in the tradition of lighting Advent candles. On the first Sunday of Advent, the candle we light together during our worship services is the candle of hope. How do you understand or imagine this word? Our Sunday School curriculum called Seasons of the Spirit shared these quotes about hope a few weeks ago.

“We dream to give ourselves hope. To stop dreaming – well that’s like saying you can never change your fate.” Amy Tan, The Hundred Secret Senses

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” Emily Dickinson

“Walk on with hope in your heart, and you’ll never walk alone.” Shah Rukh Khan

I thank God for you and for your prayers. Knowing that folx are praying gives me great hope in this journey as followers of Jesus – this journey of life and love. Knowing that folx are praying gives me lasting hope that I am not alone. Knowing that God’s love and grace are everlasting and ever faithful gives me hope for the living of each moment. 

 With gratitude, love, and hope,

      Sarah 

Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
    for they are from of old. 

Psalm 25