Filled with Wholesome Anticipation – 1st Sunday of Advent
Sermon Notes
Chuck Swindoll wrote,
“The book of Isaiah provides us with the most comprehensive prophetic picture of Jesus Christ in the entire Old Testament. It includes the full scope of His life: the announcement of His coming (Isaiah 40:3–5), His virgin birth (7:14), His proclamation of the good news (61:1), His sacrificial death (52:13–53:12), and His return to claim His own (60:2–3). Because of these and numerous other christological texts in Isaiah, the book stands as a testament of hope in the Lord, the One who saves His people from themselves.”
- More than 20 times direct quotation or indirect allusion, Isaiah’s message is mentioned in the Gospels. Isaiah is sometime called the Fifth Gospel. Many more references in other books of the New Testament bear the same messages of Isaiah.
- Isaiah appealed to the people to turn from their sin and embrace the Good News of the coming of the Messiah, the Savior of the world. There was hope and healing for a sad and broken people. Jesus Christ is the same, ‘yesterday, today and forever’. (Hebrews 13:8)
As we move into the Christmas season, may we ask ourselves, “What is MY anticipation?” “What is MY Hope?” “What are MY dreams and wishes?” “Are they purely self-driven and self-focused?” “Is MY life and its complexities driven by the commercial attractions and expectations?” “Is MY life looking to Jesus?”
Scriptures to Consider
- John 3:16
- Galatians 4:4
- Luke 2:7, 10b - 11
- 1 John 4:4
This Week
Monday, December 2
9:30 am Men’s Prayer
9:30 am Women’s Prayertime
Tuesday, December 3
9:00 am Daybreak
10:30 am Preschool Rehearsal
7:00 pm Youth Small Groups
Wednesday, December 4
9:45 am Keenager’s Study
10:30 am Preschool Rehearsal
4:00 & 6:30 pm AWANA
6:40 pm Corporate Prayer
7:30 pm Young Adults at Piska’s 13 Linksview Close SG
Thursday, December 5
7:00 pm Men's Floor Hockey
Friday, December 6
6:00 pm Christmas Banquet
NO YOUTH
Saturday, December 7
8:30 am Boot Camp
9:30 am Kid's Rehearsal (grades 1-6)
Sunday, December 8
9:15 &11:15 am Children's Musical Presentation
JOURNEY UPDATES
WOMENS DEEP DISH this Tuesday at 7:00 pm in the Fireside Room. Come to connect over coffee & dessert, “dig deeper” We will be making Gingerbread Houses.
We are putting together a choir for Christmas Eve this year & are looking for singers. Christmas Eve Services take place on Tuesday, December 24 at 3:30 pm, 5:00 pm & 6:30 pm. There will be one rehearsal at a time yet to be determined. Please contact Karen Lapp in the office, karen.lapp@sgac.net, if this would be of interest to you or if you would like more information.
GRADE 1-6 CHILDREN LAST REHEARSAL is this Saturday, December 7 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. This is for ALL grade 1-6 children as we will go through the full Musical.
AGE 2- KINDERGARTEN Rehearsals this Tuesday, December 3 and Wednesday, December 4 from 10 am to 10:30 am. Bring your little ones so they can see what it’s like to walk down the aisle and stand on the stage. We will also practice our songs a couple of times.
THE GREAT CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY, a Children’s Christmas Production. Join us on December 8 during the 9:15 am and 11:15 am services. The children of all ages have been working so hard to bring you a message full of giving and joy.
BLESS THE PASTORS AT CHRISTMAS Choose a gift card tag from the The Blessing Tree. Purchase your choice and return the gift card and tag to the Box at the Welcome Centre. The last Sunday to select a tag will be Dec. 15.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE TIMES December 24 3:30, 5:00 and 6:30 pm.
ALPHA is coming to SGAC! Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith.
Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone’s welcome. Who will you invite? Come explore together. Sundays, beginning January 12 from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Oasis Room. Space is limited. Sign up today by contacting Pastor Steve. Please indicate the number of guests upon sign up.
Christmas Carol HYMN SING Join us on Sunday, December 15 at 6:00 pm in the Fireside Room. Coffee will be served afterwards so please bring finger foods to share. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME!
PRAYER
Please pray for:
-
Our International Workers: Rae-Anna & Gordon Schutz, Kyle & Maggie Ibsen, Matthew & Charity Burpee.
-
Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Andrew Bugiera. Andrew is our Pastor of Worship, & Prayer. He is married to Amy and they have three children ages 9, 5 & 3.
-
Our Support Staff Team Member: Kim Friesen. Kim is married to Paul and they have 3 children ages 21, 18 and 14.
-
Our Elders Team Member: Del Dyck. Del is married to Carol and they have two married children
-
Our Students: Robin Jespersen at YWAM New Zealand.
Family Matters
-
OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES to Pastor Scott Buck and family in the recent passing of his father.
-
Kinettes are in our building December 9 - 13 assembling and distributing Christmas Hampers to the community. We thank you for your courtesy to them.
If you own, or work for, a company that would be interested in participating in the construction of our new Phase 1 building, we invite you to contact the Future Development Construction Team. Please send your expression of interest along with a description of services offered to pspaans@shaw.ca.