Pastor James Cottier, Fountain City Church. In the Advent season, there's one truth about the baby in the manger that proves difficult to keep in view; but as we consider the message of Advent what becomes clear is that our ultimate hope, what we most long and wait for, isn't what we have now, but what we are yet to receive. What we long for is the reality of who this baby IS: the Resurrection and the Life.

Pastor James Cottier, Fountain City Church. More than any other reality of who Jesus is, more than any other reason for joy at Christmas, the one that most powerfully and poignantly intersects with you and me is this: Jesus is our Redeemer.  It is this truth that most humbles us before the baby Jesus in the manger: that not only is he the King, but he is the King who frees us -- saves us -- from our sins by giving up his life for ours.

Pastor James Cottier, Fountain City Church. Every Christmas season, as we celebrate and sing carols, there is one theme that seems to stand out among all the reasons for our Christmas joy: the King has come.  What does it mean that the baby we see in Mary's arms is a King?  And not just any king, but the long awaited King God promised centuries ago?   But even more to the point, why would this king be a source of joy for the whole world?

As joyous as the Advent season is, it is also full of mystery.  And no passage brings us into that mystery like John chapter 1.  Who, exactly, did Mary hold as she held her baby?  Who, exactly, did the 12 disciples eat with and learn from?  Who, exactly, do you and I encounter when we come face to face with Jesus in the Scriptures?  This Sunday, we'll see that the answer to those questions is the Word -- the Word made flesh.  And that in the Word, God himself.

Guest Speaker Adam Jones, Fountain City Church. This week we conclude our Origins series by looking at the great hope of the ancient Israelites and of ours as modern people today: God working graciously and powerfully to overcome everything wrong with ourselves and with our world.

Pastor James Cottier, Fountain City Church. A feeling we all experience, a longing people from every culture in every century have had, is to find God: to know God; to be in God's presence. Where is He? Can he be found? Feeling distant from God is normal, but it's not God's desire; he never intended we would ever be far from him. This week, through the theme of the temple, we'll explore the reason for feeling far from God in the first place, and how God's temple helps shrink the distance.

Pastor James Cottier, Fountain City Church. Not many things focus our attention on the topic of leadership like a national election. Elections remind us of the importance of good leadership. This week we'll explore why God's promise for a certain King gives us such great news about leadership. That's because one leader, the Son of David, will not only lead us well, but will lead us to abundant and eternal blessing in his own kingdom.

Pastor James Cottier, Fountain City Church.

Guest speaker Doug Karst takes us through Exodus 19:1-6 as part of our Origins series.

Pastor James Cottier, Fountain City Church. It's hard to overstate the importance of Genesis 12:1-3 to the whole story of the Bible and what it shows us about God's heart. Many people can feel like God is mean, egotistical, or vindictive. But this passage will counter any doubt or skepticism by showing us that God is gracious, kind, and good. It will show us that God is very much for us; by showing us that even into a fallen world, God promises blessing.