Each week of Advent Chris and I have been asking individuals and families this question: what does St. Bart’s mean to you? Here are some answers we’ve heard:
“A desire fulfilled”
“real church - it’s not a show”
“A community that gathers around the God who provides spiritual and physical food”
Each of these statements represent three beautiful stories of transformation, provision, and healing. We’ll have one final interview this Sunday that will speak to God’s work in our midst.
We share these stories during the sermon because we want you all to hear what Chris and I hear each week as we sit down for coffee with you. We see God’s work of provision, transformation, and healing - and it’s real, not a show. We give thanks and celebrate God’s good work in and through each of you.
As we approach the final Sunday of Advent, we will draw close to Christmas but also to that surprising moment when we hear the Angel Gabriel’s proclamation to Mary that provision, transformation, and healing will come to the world because of her obedience, her “yes” to God.
As the year closes, please make part of your obedience and “yes” to God giving generously to him through the mission and ministry of St. Bart’s. I’m so grateful to God for the ways he has provided through each of you. And so we continue on in our journey building Christ’s church with Spirit-empowered vision as the Father draws to himself more people with more stories of what St. Bart’s means to them.
Jay+