The Women of Advent - Taught by the Women of New Hope. This Christmas season, we are focusing on the Women of Advent. In God’s faithfulness, some amazing women get to be a part of Jesus coming to be with us. As a matter of fact, women are so prominently featured in the account of the incarnation that we would be foolish not to ponder God’s choice of women during the Christmas Season.

The Women of Advent - Taught by the Women of New Hope. This Christmas season, we are focusing on the Women of Advent. In God’s faithfulness, some amazing women get to be a part of Jesus coming to be with us. As a matter of fact, women are so prominently featured in the account of the incarnation that we would be foolish not to ponder God’s choice of women during the Christmas Season.

The Women of Advent - Taught by the Women of New Hope. This Christmas season, we are focusing on the Women of Advent. In God’s faithfulness, some amazing women get to be a part of Jesus coming to be with us. As a matter of fact, women are so prominently featured in the account of the incarnation that we would be foolish not to ponder God’s choice of women during the Christmas Season.

In pain, we don’t need a lecture. We need someone to be present, to listen, to not have fear, to not be anxious and to care for us while God’s healing agents do their work.

One of the most important healing agents is people. Paul gives us a little insight into that reality.

Paul had a difficult relationship with the people of Corinth. He loved them deeply. And, because of that great love, there was vulnerability and conflict.

2 Corinthians 7:6 (NLT)

But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.

Lead Pastor Isaac and Guest (Marine and Pastor) Jason Albelo share two perspectives on the Christian and violence. Jason advocates for a traditional position that affirms the need in some cases for the Christian to be willing to use lethal force. Isaac then makes a case for non-violence. The spirit of humility and love that was expressed by both pastors is a great example of how we CAN and SHOULD talk about our disagreements.

Anger kills, but the Spirit of Reconciliation brings life. We have issues with anger in a variety of ways and Jesus is going to exhort us to not only see anger for how serious it is, but also to be willing to go to whatever length to be reconciled.

Jesus ups the ante.

Jesus read his bible. And he suggests that he fulfills the Law and the Prophets. But, what does that mean and WHY is he clarifying himself? Could it be that his listeners were as fickle as we are—prone to novelty? Jesus assures us that he is completing the redemptive work started from the very beginning. This brings rest to an anxious world.

Over the last couple of years our church has begun a 8-10 year partnership with FH. Last April Kraig Pruett, Laney Bliss and Alan Hopkins travelled to XEO to capture the story of the community. We wrote and produced a documentary that can be accessed on YouTube.

Our 2nd team has returned from helping with our first project: the Health Center that you gave so generously towards. THANK YOU!

A part of the reason we are pausing this morning to talk more about our experience is because we feel that the whole process of being on a team is a significant part of our discipleship here at New Hope.

This morning, we will give several short thoughts:

1. What can I really give?—Lacey Devotion John 6

2. Listening to the Holy Spirit and not my own thoughts—Donia

3. Getting connected to others—Larry

4. When we’re going, God arranges other ministry—Isaac - Acts 17