Dear Friends:
In just a few days on November 29, we enter the season of Advent, a season of preparation for the coming of Christ, whose birth we celebrate on Christmas. During Advent, we prepare our hearts and minds to receive Christ, who continually seeks to have a deeper relationship with us. It is a relationship defined by his grace and our response, one marked by his words and our obedience, a relationship characterized by his forgiveness and our gratitude.
Traditionally, Christians prepare to receive Christ into our lives anew by setting apart some quiet time, by reading the Scriptures or an Advent devotional, by acknowledging those things in our life which inhibit our relationship with God and seeking to change, by asking for spiritual direction and listening, by praying come, Lord Jesus.
This year First Presbyterian Church will offer an additional opportunity to assist with our Advent preparation in the form of a four-part Bible study offered on the Zoom platform. I will lead each one-hour study at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays December 2, 9, 16 and 23.
Using a curriculum offered by The Thoughtful Christian, we will explore familiar biblical passages through the lens of gifts. Embedded in these passages are gifts that God longs to give us and deeply desires for us to receive. They are the gifts of peace, justice, joy and salvation.
Date Gift Biblical Focus
December 2 peace Isaiah 2:1–5
December 9 justice Isaiah 11:1–10
December 16 joy Isaiah 35:1–10
December 23 salvation Isaiah 7:10–16
If you plan to participate, please email me at pastorbruce@firstpresridgewood.org or call me at 215-337-5623 and let me know by Sunday, November 29. I will then email you readings and the Zoom link for each gathering. I look forward to spending time with you as we consider how to effectively open ourselves to receive God’s gifts of peace, justice, joy and salvation.
Yours in Christ,
Bruce
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