A MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT

OF ST. MARK'S

CONSISTORY

 

NOVEMBER 2024

 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

 

As Christians we go through each day knowing God has a plan for us and a path to follow to make those plans happen.  At the same time, we as Christians go through each day questioning God's plans and His path.  We consistently throw kinks into God's plans by thinking we have a better way of doing things and a better path to take to have our plans met.

 

God knows that we are going to question the path and spometimes not end up where we are supposed to be according to His plan.  At the same time GOD NEVER leaves our side and continues to be with us for when we are ready to turn to Him for support and guidance.  God provided us with the ability to think and make decisions and choices for ouraelves.

 

As humans trying to interpret God's plan for our selves as individuals and choose the right path ro take is hard and scary, but with prayer and trust it can be done.  It is even harder to do when we are talking about the plans for Our church.  I always laugh at myself when I am having several conversations with myself on the path God wants me to take as a person when I know the only conversation I need to have is with God.  With the church you have every member having those conversations with themselves, their family, their church family and with God.  As hunabs it is hard to always agree not only on what direction to take our church but what path we should take to get there.

 

On October 20, St. Mark's held a congregational meeting where plans for the future of our church were discussed.  We listened to what those plans were, and we prayed about them as we listened to the plans being told to us.  The plans were maintenance items that need to be done and plans that would help beautify our church and make it more welcoming.  The congregation then voted and approved those plans.

 

As brothers and sisters of God's church, I know this is a scary and unknown time for our church.  No member takes these projects lightly and without questioning.  Spending money is always hard and even harder when the future is uncertain.  We as Christians need to continue to pray and support the church while questioning as we take these next steps for St. Mark's.  Always remember, God Is Still Speaking and we just need to listen to Him and trust Him.  God has plans for St. Mark's!

 

Heather Stone, Consistory President

"No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey,

you are always welcome here."

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS

INTRODUCTION

As the days grow shorter, we enter a period of waiting and preparation.  This is the season of Advent in which we await the coming birth of Jesus.  Advent is also the first season of the liturgical year and is a joyous and hopeful season in the church year.  The season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day.  The actual season of Advent can last from 22-28 days.  When Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, it is the last Sunday of Advent.

 

The word advent comes from the Latin term "adventus" meaning "arrival" or "coming," particularly the coming of something having great importance.  Advent is both a time of joy-filled celebration of the birth of the Lord and a preparatory period for meditation.

 

Although not specifically mentioned in the Bible, Advent is inspired by scripture.  The prophet Isaiah mentioned numerous times the prophecy of the birth of Jesus.

 

ISAIAH 7:14 (NIV)

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign:  The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

 

ISAIAH 9:6-7 (NIV)

"For unto us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David's throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this."

 

ISAIAH 11:1 (NIV)

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit."

 

 

Isaiah foretold the birth of Jesus centuries before it occurred.

THE ORIGINS OF ADVENT

It is believed that Advent began sometime after the 4th Century as a time of preparation for Epiphany.  Epiphany celebrates the visit of the wise men.

Later in the 6th Century, Advent came to be associated with the coming of Jesus.

By the Middle Ages, four Sundays had become the standard of the Advent season.

ADVENT SYMBOLS AND CUSTOMS

Perhaps one of the most important Advent symbols and customs is the Advent Wreath.  The Advent Wreath is a common symbol of the liturgical season.  Lighting an Advent Wreath is a custom that began in sixteenth-century Germany.  The Advent Wreath is a circle of evergreen branches or garland with four or five candles arranged on the wreath.  During the season of Advent, a candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the Advent service.  The traditional Advent Wreath consists of three dark blue candles and one pink candle set in the wreath.  Often a single, larger white candle is placed in the center of the wreath.

The color of the Advent candles serve as a way to light the way to the birth of Jesus.

THE THEMES OF THE FOUR SUNDAYS OF ADVENT

The first dark blue candle on the Advent Wreath symbolizes HOPE -- the first Sunday of Advent leads us to anticipation of the birth of Jesus.  Sometimes called the "Prophecy Candle" this candle reminds us of Isaiah's foretelling the birth of the Christ Child and that all of the promises God gave us in the Old Testament would be fulfilled the Christ Child's birth.

The second dark blue candle on the Advent Wreath symbolizes PEACE -- the second Sunday of Advent.  It is sometimes referred to as the "Bethlehem Candle" and reminds us of the journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem before she gave birth to the Christ Child.  The candle also reminds us that after division, destruction, abd dispersion of the kingdom in the Old Testament, there might be peace on Earth.

The third candle (pink) of Advent symbolizes JOY -- the third Sunday of Advent.  Sometimes the candle is referred to as the "Shepherd's Candle."  As we approach Christmas, our joys grows and takes us back to the joyful anticipation of the shepherds who travelled to see the Christ Child inthe town of Bethlehem.

The fourth candle (dark blue) symbolizes LOVE -- the fourth Sunday of Advent.  The candle is sometimes referred to as the "Angel's Candle."  The candle represents the ultimate love of God that he might send his only Son for us and leads us to eagerly await the New Kingdom of God on Earth.  It also reminds us  of the message of the angels on the first Christmas -- "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men."

The white candle in the middle of the Advent Wreath is lit on Christmas Eve.  It is called the "Christ Candle."  The candle represents the life of Christ and symbolizes purity.