The Journey of Advent: A Message from Pastor Mick

Dear Members and Friends of Milford First UMC,

The Advent season, leading up to Christmas, truly is the most wonderful time of the year. I’m sure we all love the time spent with family and friends, the parties, the gifts, and the food. But what makes this time of year so special is really the anticipation – the anticipation of the coming of Christ into the world and into our lives. Of course, Jesus came long ago, and he has been with us ever since. But at Advent, we’re reminded of this life-changing, life-saving truth in powerful and wonderful ways. This year, I invite you to join us as we wait with excitement and joyful anticipation for the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords into our lives anew.

Each Sunday during Advent, we’ll be building on this anticipation in ways that will hopefully fill you with the awe and wonder you experienced as a child. We’ll learn what that anticipation must have felt like for Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, and the shepherds. We’ll join Mary and Joseph on their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem where our Savior is born. Throughout this season, my prayer is that the old, old story becomes fresh, new, and life-changing for each and every one of us. May we all live with excited anticipation of what God is doing throughout this Advent season.

Our holiday worship schedules are listed below for your planning and convenience.

Christmas Eve
10:30 a.m. Blended Advent Service in the Great Hall
7:00 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Service in the Sanctuary

New Year’s Eve
10:30 a.m. Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
11:30 a.m. Holiday Carry-In Meal in the Great Hall

My prayer is that we all experience a bit of that childlike awe and wonder again this year as we anxiously and excitedly anticipate the coming of the Christ child.

Wishing you a season filled with hope, love, joy, peace, and blessings beyond measure,

Pastor Mick Whistler
Lead Pastor, Milford First UMC