Whiteboard: Third Sunday of Advent

This Sunday we will celebrate the gift of Joy!

And I really mean it.

You see, this Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent, which is "The Sunday of Joy."

This Sunday is also our Annual Congregational Meeting, and let me tell you church, we have some things to be joyful about!

For starters, our Stewardship Campaign was so overwhelming successful that we are forecasting a $15,000+ surplus for our Budget next year!

What's more, we have a full slate of Elders (including 2 ex-officio members) and a full slate of Ministry Team Chairs to approve!

And then to top it all off, we also have the DWM Christmas Luncheon on Sunday which will not only share some of the finest Christmas cuisine you can imagine but will also feature a Variety Show that will showcase the musical talents and stylings of several members and friends!

Now that is what I call "The Sunday of Joy!"

I look forward to seeing you there!

-----

John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- John the Baptist

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’

He said,
‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
“Make straight the way of the Lord” ’,
as the prophet Isaiah said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’

John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’

This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.