This month for the Pastor's Column I want to take a break from our look at the 10 Commandments to talk a bit about what is going on here in December. The Advent and Christmas season is my favorite time of year here at Faith. As the calendar year comes to a close the Church year starts anew we find our church invigorated!

Here is a schedule of what we have coming up:

Advent Dinner - Sunday, December 2nd @ 6:00 PM
Living Nativity - Friday, December 14th & Saturday, 15th @ 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Wednesday Advent Services - December 5th, l2th, 19th @ 7:30 PM
Lessons and Carols (w/ Communion) - Sunday, December 23rd @ 9:00 AM
Christmas Eve Services - Monday, December 24th @ 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Christmas Day Service (w/ Communion) -Tuesday, December 25th @ 10:00 AM

As you can see, there is a lot going on this month! I am especially excited about our Wednesday evening Advent Series entitled: "Voices from the Edge." The publisher describes the series this way:

Advent has long been a time of preparation, preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Yet the road to Christmas is anything but easy. It twists, it turns, and we meet many strange figures along the way. Prophets cry out in visions. John the Baptizer preaches in the desert. Angels appear whether you are asleep or awake. The voices are varied, the places are strange, but one thing is certain: in each encounter, God is preparing us for the celebration of the greatest encounter of all, the birth of Jesus, his Son, our Savior, the Redeemer of the world.

In order to hear these various voices, we will be taking part in a "preacher's round robin." Pastor Koch from Grace, Ventura, Pastor Barkette from Christ the King, Newbury Park, and I will each preach about one of the different "voices" that speak to us about Christ's coming. Please make it a priority to be here for each of these services as you prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord!

On a personal note, I want to express my gratitude to the congregation. You all never cease to amaze me with your generosity and servant hearts. Whether it is the kindness you have shown my family with the birth of baby Timothy or it is your willingness to give to those who are in need of help (like the food pantry or the victims of hurricane Sandy), you are always ready to step-up and help. The Lord has blessed our church with the gift of charity. For this, I praise Him and thank you for your willingness to be generous.

I pray that as we enter this Advent season (a season known for giving) you would exercise this generosity again and remember those who don't have much. Whether it is by donating through the Giving Tree or donating to your favorite charity, please make sure you are giving the gift of love that you are so blessed to have. Above all, let us rejoice in the greatest gift of all: the gift Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who has taken our sins and graciously opened heaven to us. Merry Christmas!

Pastor Bob