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This Week at First

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Fourth Sunday of Advent: The angel is at it again! This time, an angel appeared to Joseph, after he had decided to try to protect the person he loved. Once again, we hear the words, “do not be afraid.” Joseph lays aside his fears and does as God asked. He embraces the challenge. Will you be paralyzed by fear, or will you “Embrace the Challenge”?


See you Sunday.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jim


 

Matthew 1:18-25


The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah[a] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.  19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.  20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

 

23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,    and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.”  24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife,  25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;[b] and he named him Jesus.



 








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Third Sunday of Advent: A recurring theme of angelic visitations is the calming voice saying, “do not be afraid.” We are familiar with the fear felt by Mary, but how about her relative Elizabeth and her husband Zachariah? For this third week in Advent, we will read their story from Luke 1:5-25. Our message will be titled “Do Not Be Afraid.”


See you Sunday.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jim


 

Luke 1:5-25


The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.  6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord.  7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

 

8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty,  9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense.  10 Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.  11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.  12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him.  13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.  14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,  15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.  16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.  17 With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”  18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.”  19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.  20 But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”

 

21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary.  22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak.  23 When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

 

24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said,  25 “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”


 








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Second Sunday of Advent: This week in a continuing effort to strengthen the ties between our local United Methodist Churches, our speaker will be Matthew Davis, pastor at Campbelltown United Methodist Church. Pastor Jim will be sharing the message and serving communion to the Campbelltown Congregation.


See you Sunday.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jim


 







9am Service:



10:30am Service:




Palmyra First UMC

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520 E. Birch St., Palmyra, PA

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