Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Tomorrow we come upon a day set aside for giving thanks to our God. Every good gift comes from his hand, the greatest of which is the gift of his own Son.
At the conclusion of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul gives a series of brief commands: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Paul says to give thanks in all circumstances. We can give thanks in all circumstances because in all circumstances we are “in Christ Jesus.” We belong to our Savior and that will never change.
What are your “circumstances” right now? Are you going through a time of abundance and plenty? Then give thanks for God’s abundant provision. Are you going through a time of struggle, maybe even feeling like you are barely scraping by? Even if this is the case, we are still to give thanks.
Paul is not saying here that our struggles don’t matter to God. Paul is not discounting the trials and suffering of the Christian life. He can give the command to “give thanks in all circumstances” because we are a people who are united to our Lord and our future is secure in him. We have been given, as Peter says, a “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). On Thanksgiving Day (and every day!) let’s be a people who “give thanks in all circumstances.”
This Sunday we begin the Advent season. Advent means “coming.” It is is a time of both looking back and looking forward. During Advent, we look back to the first coming of Jesus, when our Savior was born in a manger long ago in the town of Bethlehem. But during Advent we also look forward to his Second Coming, and we prepare our hearts for when he will return for his people with great power and glory.
Our sermon series is entitled The Path to Joy: An Advent Series in Luke 1-2. On Sunday we will begin with the birth announcements of John the Baptist and Jesus in Luke 1:5-17, 24-38.
Click here to access the livestream of this Sunday’s worship service (9:30am).
Fellowship Time at 9 am on Sundays During Advent
As we have done the last several years during the Advent season, we will hold a special fellowship time before the worship service. We encourage you to join us for refreshments and fellowship beginning this Sunday at 9:00am.
Faith Community Church Advent Project
This Sunday the Mercy Ministry Team will share about our church’s 2021 Advent project. Our goal is to help DuPagePads raise funds to repurpose a 130 unit hotel in Downers Grove for use as an interim housing center. The team is excited to share with you about the details of the Advent project and the impact this project will have for the good of our community.
Advent Devotionals Are In!
The second shipment of devotionals have arrived! If you did not receive your copy of Repeat the Sounding Joy last Sunday, it is now available for pickup in your mailbox.
Advent Events at Faith Community Church
Friday, December 10: Book Club: Letters from Father Christmas (10:00am)
Saturday, December 11: Men’s Christmas Breakfast (8:00am)
Sunday, December 12: Community Christmas Lunch (11:00am)
Friday, December 17: Austin Christmas Open House (5:30pm-7:30pm)
Sunday, December 19: Christmas Hymn Sing (11:00am)
Friday, December 24: Christmas Eve Service (6:30pm)
Office Administrator Job Opening
Our church is seeking to hire a part-time office administrator (20 hrs/week). The job description is attached to the Midweek Update. If you would like to inquire about the position, please contact Pastor Rhett.
Prayer Requests
Nicholas Wetherington: Pray for Nick to have discernment about transferring to a college closer to home.
Debbie Gottlieb (Friend of Wetherington family): Pray for peace, discernment, and wisdom for serious health issues that her doctors are uncertain how to treat.
Karla Van Der Molen: Please continue to pray that our Lord would encourage and strengthen Karla and Gary Van Der Molen in Karla’s illness.
With thankfulness for all of you,
Pastor Rhett