An Advent Reset is Really Needed This Year
Just like that, Advent has arrived. The leftovers from Thanksgiving were still delicious when the quick shift happened last weekend. In just hours, we moved from turkey, dressing, and wonderful family times to Advent time. Let me rephrase, “we moved.” It gave me some “whiplash” to make this change so quickly this year!
Why did moving from Thanksgiving to Advent seem so fast? Ready or not, Advent is here, and Christmas is coming! Advent always follows Thanksgiving. One reason is this COVID-19 year has changed the sense of time. I know my inner clock is broken. Normally, I can guess the time of day with in minutes. This year I struggle to remember the date and month, much less the time of day. My inner clock with this bewildering year has been so different.
Last Sunday, I was as discombobulated as ever. As I stood to preach for the 8:00 service, I knew it was Advent in my head, but my heart was still trying to catch up! I guess many of you are also trying to catch up with the reality we are now in December, Advent is already here, and Christmas is coming! Is there anything we can do to stop and be fully present for this Advent? I have an idea! Maybe we all need to push the reset button to our souls! This year, of all years, let us have an ADVENT RESET!
One of the reasons the season of Advent was designed was to prepare us to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The setting of Advent every year means we worship Jesus irrespective of what is going on in our world. Advent has year after year led people to the manger in wars, famines, plagues, and disruptive times before. As we ponder all that has changed in the last year, hearing the good news of the birth of Jesus will help us reset this year. In worship and adoration of Jesus, we can go from discombobulated to focused! Even though Advent may have started with a jolt, this could still be the most remarkable and inspiring Advent season ever!
May this Advent anchor us, in this strange year, to new spiritual beginnings and bearings guiding our path. Let us have a soul full of joy instead of lingering sadness. Can we allow the light of Jesus to light our path? Are we open for an infusion of hope instead of despair? May we know the Prince of Peace instead of turmoil. And with all that is not in our control, may we know the sweet release of letting go and letting God!
May this be the greatest Advent ever! When day by day, we prepare our hearts with joy and anticipation to worship Jesus, the newborn King! Let us bow down to worship Jesus and adore Him.
I am planning on resetting my soul this Advent! I need it! This crazy year needs a reset button. I invite us to have an ADVENT RESET this year! The good news of Jesus is all we need to make everything right in our soul again!
Shalom,
Philip
Why did moving from Thanksgiving to Advent seem so fast? Ready or not, Advent is here, and Christmas is coming! Advent always follows Thanksgiving. One reason is this COVID-19 year has changed the sense of time. I know my inner clock is broken. Normally, I can guess the time of day with in minutes. This year I struggle to remember the date and month, much less the time of day. My inner clock with this bewildering year has been so different.
Last Sunday, I was as discombobulated as ever. As I stood to preach for the 8:00 service, I knew it was Advent in my head, but my heart was still trying to catch up! I guess many of you are also trying to catch up with the reality we are now in December, Advent is already here, and Christmas is coming! Is there anything we can do to stop and be fully present for this Advent? I have an idea! Maybe we all need to push the reset button to our souls! This year, of all years, let us have an ADVENT RESET!
One of the reasons the season of Advent was designed was to prepare us to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The setting of Advent every year means we worship Jesus irrespective of what is going on in our world. Advent has year after year led people to the manger in wars, famines, plagues, and disruptive times before. As we ponder all that has changed in the last year, hearing the good news of the birth of Jesus will help us reset this year. In worship and adoration of Jesus, we can go from discombobulated to focused! Even though Advent may have started with a jolt, this could still be the most remarkable and inspiring Advent season ever!
May this Advent anchor us, in this strange year, to new spiritual beginnings and bearings guiding our path. Let us have a soul full of joy instead of lingering sadness. Can we allow the light of Jesus to light our path? Are we open for an infusion of hope instead of despair? May we know the Prince of Peace instead of turmoil. And with all that is not in our control, may we know the sweet release of letting go and letting God!
May this be the greatest Advent ever! When day by day, we prepare our hearts with joy and anticipation to worship Jesus, the newborn King! Let us bow down to worship Jesus and adore Him.
I am planning on resetting my soul this Advent! I need it! This crazy year needs a reset button. I invite us to have an ADVENT RESET this year! The good news of Jesus is all we need to make everything right in our soul again!
Shalom,
Philip
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State of Shalimar United Methodist Church 2021Week 42 Bread House40-Day Lent DevotionsCheck It Out! Feb 7, 2021Using the New Church AppIn Praise of our Ministry TeamsWeek 43 Bread HouseA Word from Our Librarian - Feb 14, 2021Bread House Week 44Announcing a New Children's Ministry DirectorBread House Week 45How You Can Help Refer Families to Blessings for ChildrenLibrary NewsLearning from History and Including All as Jesus
March
Time to Nominate this Year’s Hospitality Award WinnerBread House Week 46Bread House Week 47Around the SUMC LibraryTime Change is This SundaySave the Dates…A Month of Special SundaysBread House Week 48Updated Shalimar UMC Covid Protocol for Holy WeekBread House Week 49Giving DandelionsEaster Lily Project
April
Bread House Week 50God Has the Final Word!Some Clues for the Unforgettable Message After EasterWeek 51 at the Bread HouseWhat have we missed? What will be the same? Different?Make Us One...Week 52 at the Bread HouseEighteen Lives and Eternal LifeThank You from REBOOT Class MemberWeek 54 at the Bread HouseNUMBERS and NAMESThe “SHIPS” of the ChurchVBSSenior Recognition
May
Around Shalimar, Things to Know, and Having Some FunBread House Week 55Thank You, Deb Steele!Young Adults Summer Schedule2021 OCSW Women of HonorWelcome!!! Welcome Back!!!Summer News from Our LibrarianLICE and Blessings for Children!Week 57 at the Bread HouseShalimar UMC receives the Heroes and Hard Workers Award!
June
McVay’s MeanderingWeek 58 at the Bread HouseCongratulations, Keith Latimer!Week 59 at the Bread HouseA STORY WORTH SHARINGJune 6, 2021 BaptismStephen MinistryShalimar United Methodist Church is 70 Years Old Today!Bread House Week 60Jesus Loves the Little ChildrenWe will never run out of this…….Ephesians 6:18Week 61 at the Bread HouseStephen Ministry Motto
July
Immediate Opportunities to GrowBread House Week 62Library News July 2021Bread House Week 63Patriotic Service from an Online PerspectiveDr. Brad Bradford will take Study Leave for Six WeeksBread House Week 64Donate Books for Back to SchoolA Few Mid-Year Observations and Hopes for Rest of Year (Part One Mid Year Report)Hopes for the Next Six Months (Part Two Mid Year Report)Men's Barn MeetingWeek 65 at the Bread HouseSchool Supplies All Year Long!Leaders of TomorrowPutting Our Oars in the WaterWeek 66 at the Bread House
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