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Advent Coming

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Advent means “Coming.” It has been a mark of the beginning of the Christian year and the season to prepare for the celebration of Christmas. Advent is a time to celebrate that even in the midst of exile, darkness, and despair that “God is with us—Emmanuel.” Advent consists of four Sundays before the 12-day season of Christmas. The colors are purple and/or blue for mourning and repentance. The only exception in some congregations has been the third Sunday known as “Gaudete” (Rejoice Sunday) when a rose or pink colored candle is used. An Advent wreath is a common symbol of this season. One candle is lit each of the weeks up to Christmas Eve when the Christ Candle is lit.

This year we will explore the messages of “How to Find…Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace.”  We have become a DIY (Do It Yourself) culture. Our spiritual lives are more than weekend fixer-up projects. There are seldom quick fixes for any of our spiritual conditions. We begin to look for practical ways to engage our faith and to use the spiritual disciplines of prayer, scripture, means of grace, fasting and generous giving to discover the foundations of this season. 

  • Hope is more than wishful thinking.
  • Love is beyond the kindness shared with family or stranger.
  • Joy is the song that sings even in the darkest night.
  • Peace is the tranquil stillness before the God of all creation.

 How do we find these gifts? How do we encounter the living God who seeks to transform our lives by the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ? Come to worship on December 2, December 9, December 16 and December 23 to gain the tools to help you know How to Find. You may also discover that your family, neighbors, or friends might be more open to an invitation to join you in church during this season of the year than any other single time. Take the chance to invite them to come. Invitation cards are available at the Connect Desk for you to mail or drop off to a friend.  Be prepared to learn new ways to be obedient to the power of God with us.

 Praying for an Advent Blessing,

Pastor David

Information on everything happening for Advent and Christmas can be found HERE.

Posted by David Brown with

Introducing our new Children's Music Director

Introducing our new Childrens Music Director!!! 

Kelsey holds a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.  She has performed in numerous productions around the Cincinnati area, most recently as an alto soloist with the Hamilton Fairfield Symphony Orchestra. In her time at IU, she performed in numerous operatic productions, including Cendrillon, Falstaff, Cosi fan tutte and Florencia en el Amazonas.  Kelsey has also been actively involved with musical theatre from a very young age, and won an Orchid Award for her performance of Iola in Parade with the Northern Kentucky Footlighters. She is equally dedicated to teaching voice, violin and piano to children of all ages at her family’s music studio – Glendale School of Musical Arts. Kelsey grew up in music ministry and is so excited to lead the children’s choral ministry at Armstrong!

You can meet Kelsey for the first time on Sunday, October 21st as she joins us for worship and the Fall Festival.  Stay tuned for details on when Children's Music will begin. 

Celebration of Ministry - Stan Lawrence

Dear Members and Friends at Armstrong Chapel,

 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”—Ecclesiastes 3:1

With the kind cooperation of Lead Pastor David Brown and the wisdom and support of the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), I have      determined that I will retire from my present position as Associate     Pastor of Congregational Care at Armstrong Chapel. This will be official as of December 31, 2018.

Looking back on sixty years of pastoral ministry, I can honestly share with you that the past thirteen years have been the most enjoyed and appreciated.

It is our desire to remain faithful to the United Methodist Church, “and uphold it by our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.”

We extend to each of you…
Our love, hope and prayers,
Stanley and Karen Lawrence

The SPRC and Pastor David are excited that Stan will assume the role of ‘pastor emeritus.’ This honorary position will allow Armstrong Chapel to be blessed in the gifts and graces of ministry Stan offers without the daily demands of schedule and duty. As opportunity allows, Stan will continue to preach, pray, and care for the ministries of the church.  

Watch for more plans as we prepare a Celebration of Ministry (this is not a farewell!) on November 4, 2018.

Posted by Wendy Ransom with

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