December 10, 2021

Dear Road Church Friends,

The theme of our service this coming week in music and message is Advent joy. We experience joy when the divine breaks into our ordinary lives. Joy is a gift of God that begins deep within us and radiates outward until our hearts are full. Joy is an overwhelming sense of the nearness of God when the details of our daily lives are knit together in such a way that we recognize the handiwork of God in the ordering of our lives. Then we understand what it means when scripture says, “The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength.” Christmas is the very definition of Joy, because it is the celebration of “God with us” in the person of Jesus. Christmas affirms the Promise of Jesus, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7 “Rejoice In the Lord!”

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

SERMON: “The Advent Question of Questions”

HYMN: JOY TO THE WORLD

HYMN OF JOY

Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Praising Thee their sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, Drive the dark of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!

Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, Ever blest,

Well-spring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest,

Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,—All who live in love are Thine;

Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the Joy Divine.

by Henry Van Dyke

ADVENT PRAYER

Lord Jesus, for eternities now, heaven and earth,

Like fond grandparents, have thrilled at the sight

Of the children’s children ever bringing forth children.

And now, amid the starlit night, Comes the incomparable Child,

The smile of God and tenderness toward mankind.

We beg you, Lord, revive in us

The joy of your joy for ever and ever.

May the Hope, the Peace, the Joy and the Love of Christmas be with you.

Pastor Norm

Pastor Norm’s message on FACEBOOK: https://fb.watch/9R_CQa-kt5/