Sisters, Brothers, Friends,

With the season of Advent beginning on Nov. 30^th, and EverDry beginning their work on the basement Dec. 1^st, I can’t help but thinking about the fact that the Church is a work in progress.  Just as our building is undergoing renovation, so we are undergoing renovation – renovation of the heart and mind as we prepare for the arrival of Christ.

In Advent, we focus on Christ’s first arrival in human form: the little babe born to a poor couple from a backwater town and laid in a feeding trough.  God with us.  At the same time, we await Christ’s second coming with anticipation – trusting that the day will come when all is accomplished and God’s Kingdom is finally established, once and for all, on earth as it is in heaven.

Don’t be concerned about renovation.  Know that when there’s dust and debris in our lives, it means that God is at work.  Paul reminds us in Philippians 1:6 to be “confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

God is at work – in this place and in our lives.  And what God has begun, he will continue to work on – honing us to be the men and women God has created us to be – until that great and glorious day when Christ comes back.

As we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ this Advent season, don’t be afraid to let God work on you.  His plans are beyond our comprehension, his ways are good, and his love is eternal.

Grace and peace to you and yours,

Pastor Zack