Advent Readings and Lightings: Pastoral Preparations for the Coming Season

I wanted to give an aid for congregations and pastors, particularly those in free church backgrounds, who want to move away from the commercialization of the season to focus on the Incarnation. That is a hard sell to be sure. But the way to do it is Continue Reading

Christmas Eve Order and Bulletin Sample

Christmas Eve worship is one of the most beautiful and inspiring times in the life of a congregation and in the ministry of a pastor. The service may be seen by the pastor as challenging because everyone knows that you are going to say something about Continue Reading

Longing to Believe: An Advent Sermon (Genesis 15.1-6; Luke 1.46-55)

Existentialist Jean-Paul Satre may have been speaking for many in today’s world, when he wrote about the human being possessing a desire to be satisfied and fulfilled, but nothing in this world being able to fill the bill. So we settle for a “Happy Continue Reading

An Unexpected Christmas: An Unexpected Family (Matthew 1.1-16)

This message was part of a series I called "An Unexpected Christmas." I offer it here as fodder for faithful pastors who are preparing to feed the flock of Jesus as we move into the Second Sunday in Advent. I pray you all had a wonderful time of worship Continue Reading