Romans 5:1-8 ¹ Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. ⁶ For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person-- though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. ⁸ But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

Yesterday we had the privilege of experiencing God’s love through the gift of family. As we celebrated with Wendi and Billy on the occasion of their marriage, we are once again reminded of the greatest thing God has given us. I find it fitting that Billy and Wendi chose to have their wedding in the season of Advent, when we are shown the Father’s ultimate act of love. It is this season that we wait for the celebration of the birth of the Savior. It is during this season that we are reminded that God could have easily come down here as an adult, not allowed anything to happen to him, and totally straightened out the world. But instead, God chose to come to the earth in the form of a little baby, a vulnerable little baby. A little baby that is fully God, and also fully human. A little baby, who would eventually suffer on a cross not because he chose too, but because he wanted to.

God continually pours out his love for all of humanity, whether we deserve it or not. As we continue to celebrate with Billy and Wendi, let us remind ourselves of the love that God has not only shared with them, but also with us. God proves his love to us each and every single day. Yesterday, we saw it in the form of a wedding ceremony.

In just a few weeks, we will see it once again in the reminder of the birth of Christ. In our prayers this week: Buddy, Linwood, Lee and Fairy, Alma. We also remember Chris, Michael, and Brenton (all overseas serving our country).

God's Peace,

 Pastor Judson