Sweetwater Presbyterian Church
“Small in Size; Large in Faith and Love”
November, 2023
“Rejoice Always” When is it easiest to be thankful? When things are going good, right? While it might be easier to praise God when you are most happy and comfortable, it is just as important, if not more important, to thank Him in the midst of trials. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul tells the church at Thessalonica to “rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances.” This can be hard to do, especially when things aren’t going well. So why do we have to give thanks? Why can’t we give in to cynicism and thanklessness? Because God calls us to a life of continual thankfulness. It is God’s will that we give thanks. This is not to say we need to be always smiling. Sometimes things in life are bad and we should mourn or be upset, but it is in these moments that God asks us to thank Him anyway. The trials in our lives are not pointless. God has a purpose for everything, even the bad. We might not be able to see the good, but God can see the whole picture and we can gain hope in knowing that our suffering is not in vain, but rather, part of God’s greater purpose. So this Thanksgiving, whether you see the blessing abounding in your life or you are struggling to find anything to be thankful for, turn to God, the one who blesses you with grace and salvation daily and who longs for you to praise Him in the midst of your suffering, trusting in Him and His perfect purpose for your life now and forevermore. gcu.edu (weekly devotionals) Happy Thanksgiving! | FRIENDLY REMINDERS November 2 - Safe Harbor - Susan Flowers November 5 - SS at 9:45; Worship at 11:00 Stewardship Sunday - We will dedicate our pledges for 2024. Also, everyone is invited to stay for a meal immediately following worship. November 7 - Bible Study at 10:00 November 12 - SS at 9:45; Worship at 11:00 ECCCM/Pet Food Offering Congregational Meeting November 14 - Bible Study at 10:00 November 19 - SS at 9:45; Worship at 11:00 Session meeting at 4:00. November 21 - Bible Study at 10:00 November 22 - Thanksgiving Eve Meal and Service at 6:00 with communion. November 23 - Happy Thanksgiving! November 26 - “Christ the King” Sunday; SS at 9:45 and Worship at 11:00 Pennies for Progress Offering Advent Meal and Lesson 5:00 November 28 - Bible Study at 10:00 —------------------------------------------------ HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 1st - Josh Gabrys 5th - Layna Loudermelk 12th - Morgan Hall 13th - Cora Honeycutt 13th - Kenzi Honeycutt 13th - Andrew Honeycutt 14th - Leroy Cline —--------------------------------------------------------------- Prayer Corner Tom and Trudy Boston Phyllis Brown Lewis Bruner Scott and Janae Clark Wayne and Renae Clark Leroy and Jeanette Cline Ray and Sheri Combs Linda Davis |
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“Advent” means “coming” or “arrival.” During the season of Advent, we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for his coming again. In its historical origins, the season of Advent was patterned after the season of Lent, a six-week period of penitence and preparation for Easter. Similarly, the four weeks of Advent present an opportunity for Christians to gather as a community to reflect personally and as a group to prepare to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord and look with hope for Christ’s return.
In Advent, we expectantly wait for the One who has already come. We anticipate the promised justice of God’s new world, yet we praise God who raised the “righteous branch” to rule with justice and righteousness. We hope for the restoration of the afflicted, the tormented, and the grieving, yet we delight that healing has come in Christ. We long for the beating of swords into plowshares, yet we rejoice that the Prince of Peace has appeared. We yearn for the barren deserts of our inner cities to flourish, yet we laud the desert Rose that has bloomed. We dream of the land where lions and lambs live in harmony, yet we acclaim the child born to lead us into the promised land.
This Advent season we will gather each Sunday afternoon (November 26, December 3, December 10, December 17) at 5:00 for a simple meal and a brief Bible study of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Please join us for this wonderful time of fellowship!
Christ has come! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!
Glory to God!