December 22…..

Two Days before Christmas Eve 2009 –

 And I find myself sitting in my office…..

 –         looking out the window at a beautiful wintry day

–         listening to classical Christmas music from WDAV – Davidson

–         contemplating the two Christmas Eve Services I will help lead.

 Thank You, Lord, for such a privilege! As always, I approach worship with a keen sense that the best I can offer is but a feeble effort. Even with this in mind, I feel deeply that these services must be approached and led with the greatest care and the best I can offer…

 –         Our first service will be noisy and joyful as children create a live nativity.

–         our second service will appropriately with dignity and reverence celebrate this sacred night.

 My prayer for us all…. “Lord send Your Holy Spirit to enable us to worship You in Spirit and Truth.”

 I look forward to seeing you in worship on Christmas Eve when, in the words of G. K. Chesterton, we remember that this is the time “when the things that cannot be are!”

 Grace and Peace,

 Pastor Ron

Advent Greetings!

We have begun our Advent journey at ARPC as we “hung’ the greens on the first Sunday of Advent. One of the most moving parts of this service is the hymn by Charles Wesley that we traditionally close this service with. The hymn is “Jesus Comes with Clouds Descending.” It is a powerful reminder that we are living between two Advents and that our Creator God is not finished with this world. A great completion is to come! Until that second great Advent we are to watch, pray and do what Jesus Christ did when He walked the dusty roads of Palestine some 2,000 years ago. That is we are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, minister to the sick….

Sisters and brothers in Christ there is a future that God has awaiting us. It is a future that nothing can take from us – not even death! Therefore let us live according to the admonition of our Lord:                   “DO NOT BE AFRAID!”

 Grace and Peace,

 Pastor Ron