Pastor’s message Dec.6,2020

Chilmark community CHURCH
9 Menemsha Crossroad, Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, MA 02535
December 6, 2020
Welcome to Chilmark Community Church of Martha’s Vineyard, MA. We are a group of Christ’s disciples who strive to share our faith journey and our peace of soul with you. Again: Welcome!
Today is the second Lord’s Day in Advent, or the third Sunday before Christmas Day – the Day of the Nativity of our Lord. Our readings for the day are from Isaiah 40, Psalm 85 and the Gospel according to Saint Mark 1. The focus is on spiritual preparation: repentance, restoration, regeneration and peace in relationship with God. It is John the Baptizer who is preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah/Christ. John was a kind of wild guy with a harsh message who lived in the woods off the land. His harsh message and looks attracted crowds from the surrounding towns. Mark begins with John as an adult fully
embracing and focusing on his ministry of preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
What are we embracing and focusing on during this season? Are we embracing and focusing on preparing for the coming of the Messiah? How do we, in this Advent Season, focus on preparing for the coming of the Christ into our lives?
How do we help others to focus on the coming of the Messiah? Please give these questions your prayerful thought and see if you can decide on some practical ways in which you will help to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, the Christ. May we find new meaning and purpose as we worship on this second Sunday in Advent!
Very sincerely,
Ernest Belisle (Pastor)
Thought for the day:
Advent is a time of expectation and restoration.
Let us wait with patience for the One who changes everything!