Finding The Holy Spirit’s Comfort During Advent

1. Finances

2. Fears3. Loneliness

4. Loss

1. A 1. A PROMISEPROMISE to remember to remember

“The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (v35)

“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. (v30)

2. A 2. A POWERPOWER to pray for to pray for

3. A 3. A PERSONPERSON to be with to be with

4. A 4. A PRACTICAL STEPPRACTICAL STEP to take to take

First, realize the true nature of Mary & Joseph’s situation: The greatest good news and greatest joy to the world . . .

NOTHING TO DO WITH NOTHING TO DO WITH MONEY!MONEY!

Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a . . . “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” (Lk 2:22-24)

“‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. 8 If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. (Le 12:7-8)

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

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But godliness with contentment is great But godliness with contentment is great gain. gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the

world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be

content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into

many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love

of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many

griefs. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)

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“I do not believe one can settle how much we out to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc. is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our giving does not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There out to be things we should like to do and cannot do them because our giving excludes them.” – CS Lewis

FIVE HAND GIFTS

1. HANDmade

2. HAND-me-down3. Second HAND4. Helping HAND5. HAND in hand

Pastor: Jesus be the center of this AdventPeople: Jesus, we give ourselves to youPeople: Jesus, we give ourselves to youPastor: Jesus be the joy of these holidaysPeople: Jesus, let us live in your gracePeople: Jesus, let us live in your gracePastor: Jesus be the peace in the midst of our worldPeople: Jesus, fill us with your Holy SpiritPeople: Jesus, fill us with your Holy SpiritPastor: Jesus speak to those who need comfort People: Jesus overshadow the places we lackPeople: Jesus overshadow the places we lackPastor: Jesus, cause us to do what is possiblePeople: For we remember your promise . . .People: For we remember your promise . . .ALL: Nothing is impossible with GodALL: Nothing is impossible with God