Beyond the Pulpit 11.30.25

Happy New Year Crozet UMC!

Yes, it was a busy week. And no, your pastor has not lost her mind! Today is the first Sunday in Advent, which is the first day in the calendar of the Christian Year. So, Happy New Year!

I hope you will join us for worship during this special season. Advent is a season of preparation for Christmas. During this Advent season, I invite you to join me in using our Advent Devotional by A Sanctified Art. You may access the digital version here, and there are hard copies available at the church. In this Advent series, we will take seriously the angels’ message and trust that Christ’s birth truly is good news of great joy for all people. We will look closely at the fear and terror looming in the background during the time of King Herod. We are invited to identify where fear is present—both in the Advent story and in our lives—while also finding our way toward hope, with the angels’ voices in our ears. This season, let us insist on hope and trust that good news is greater than fear.

Bring the kiddos! As we mentioned last week, during the Children’s Message each Sunday of Advent, Ms. Catherine will lead the children in singing a familiar Christmas song. And I will be sharing a special gift with the children corresponding to the message for the day!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing you soon!