But I Am Afraid...

December 17, 2017: Third Sunday in Advent - Lighting of the candle of JOY.

2017 Advent Sermon Series: Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph

Rev. Dan is preaching.

Matthew 1:18-21

Don’t be afraid? Are you kidding me?

The angel has just told Joseph that the son Mary is about to have was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that he is going to save the world from all their sins. He then tells Joseph to not be afraid. How can Joseph not be afraid after hearing that news? As if Mary being pregnant and knowing that he was not the father wasn’t bad enough, Joseph now is told by an angel that this baby is going to save the world. When God reaches right into the midst of our everyday, normal stories, things always change. They will always change for the better but it is scary. That is why the angel started with the words, “Do not be afraid.”  When is the last time you were afraid of doing something for God in your life? Maybe this Christmas it’s time for all of us to hear the angel comfort us as we live into God’s call in our lives to be FAITHFUL.

Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

December 10, 2017: Second Sunday in Advent - Lighting the Candle of Peace

2017 Advent Series: Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph

Rev. Dan is preaching.

Matthew 1:18-19

Can you even imagine what was going through Joseph’s mind when Mary gave him the news that she was pregnant?

I cannot imagine all of the thoughts and options that were running through his mind. He has not been visited yet by the angel to tell him what is truly taking place. He is left to his own thoughts, fears, angers, and frustrations. What would we do in that situation and where would we turn in order to remain FAITHFUL throughout the whole ordeal?

A Man Without A Name

December 3: First Sunday of Advent - Lighting the candle of HOPE

Communion Sunday

2017 Advent Series

Rev. Dan is preaching.

Matthew 13:53-58

In the text today from Matthew, the people don’t even mention Joseph’s name.

They just ask, “Isn’t he the carpenter’s son?”  They do not call him Joseph. They just call him the carpenter. Is that what that community thought of Joseph? Did Joseph let the views of others shape the view he had of himself or was he able to remain faithful to God and to the call God gave him to raise his son? We live in a world today where social media can paint quite a picture of each of us whether that picture is the truth or not. Do we allow the views of others to compromise the people that God created us to be as we live FAITHFUL?

Advent Sermon Series - Faithful: Advent Through the Eyes of Joseph

At Christmas time we really do not hear all that much about Joseph in the overall story of the birth of Jesus Christ. There are not many accounts of Joseph throughout the Gospels. Does that make him any less important in the story of Christ’s birth? This Advent season we will travel with Joseph and see what Jesus’ birth may have looked like through his eyes. There were so many traditions and societal expectations that got turned upside down when Mary became pregnant. Joseph could have walked away or he could have remained FAITHFUL. What did FAITHFUL look like for Joseph and what will FAITHFUL look like for each of us this Christmas and for the rest of our lives?

December 3: "A Man Without a Name"

December 10: "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

December 17: "But I am Afraid..."

December 24 (Morning Worship):