christmas

The weeks prior to Christmas can seem like anything but calm and peaceful, yet the season of Advent is a time of waiting and anticipating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

This Advent, we focus on the places found in the telling of the birth of Jesus. Within these places, we find ourselves as well. We begin our journey with the census decree given by the authorities in Rome where we find our longings. We travel next to the familiar city of Jerusalem and the Temple where we wait with Zechariah. Nazareth is our next stop on our journey, a place of little significance yet filled with significance to the story of our Savior and a place of simplicity along our journey. The familiar place of the manger found in Bethlehem provides us the place of humility and salvation. We conclude our journey by going back a different way to Persia and hopefully entering a new year from a place of newness through the birth and hope of our Savior. Pack your bags; let the journey begin.

The weeks prior to Christmas can seem like anything but calm and peaceful, yet the season of Advent is a time of waiting and anticipating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This Advent, we focus on the places found in the telling of the birth of Jesus. Within these places, we find ourselves as well. We begin our journey with the census decree given by the authorities in Rome where we find our longings. We travel next to the familiar city of Jerusalem and the Temple where we wait with Zechariah. Nazareth is our next stop on our journey, a place of little significance yet filled with significance to the story of our Savior and a place of simplicity along our journey. The familiar place of the manger found in Bethlehem provides us the place of humility and salvation. We conclude our journey by going back a different way to Persia and hopefully entering a new year from a place of newness through the birth and hope of our Savior. Pack your bags; let the journey begin.

Our Advent series is On the Way to Bethlehem. We visit the places of Jesus’ birth. Our series is accompanied by a study in several of our church small groups covering Rob Fuquay’s book On the Way to Bethlehem. Books are available to purchase for $10/each at the Welcome Desk located between the Worship Center and Sanctuary, with an ebook option also available on Amazon. Join us as we journey together and discover the historical significance of Rome, Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, along with the essential characters through whom the Christmas drama unfolds.

We encourage you to join one of the following small groups as they participate in the five-week Advent study, and may include optional video sessions enhanced by the book to supplement and deepen discussions.

Sunday Morning Groups, 10-10:50am

·C.O.R.E Advent Group: Room 151, contact Clay Hartman, echartman70@gmail.com

·Commitments: Room 54, contact Jennifer Anderson, hkitty_65@yahoo.com

·Navigating Your Christian Faith: Room 57, contact Michelle Platt, michelle.platt@gmail.com

·Parenting with Faith: Room 52, contact Diana Stolt, dianastolt@gmail.com

·Parents of Youth: Room 246, contact Kristen Hicks, kbow97@gmail.com

·Reading Through the Bible: Room 155, contact Laura Young, laurayoung678@gmail.com

·Women Seeking Wisdom: Room 174, contact Kay Harper, krharper72@comcast.net

Monday @ 11:30am

·Knowing God More: online via Zoom, contact Sabrina Smith-Holbrook, sabrina.smith@tds.net

Deeply Rooted: Advent

Our Deeply Rooted Advent study will explore the prophecies of Jesus's birth. This three-week study will help connect key passages from the gospels of Matthew and Luke with Old Testament texts such as 2 Samuel and Isaiah. A binder with all study materials will be provided. Deeply Rooted meets December 4, 11, 18 from 10:00-11:30am in the Worship Center classroom. LeighAnna Colgrove leads this group. Check out concordunited.org/events to register.

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

You Are Invited to Celebrate with Us!