Tinney Chapel Today

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Don't Fear The Wait (for Jesus)

Waiting for the return, the Second Coming, of Jesus The Christ can be a stressful time, even one that evokes fear, said Rev. Sue Gross, Pastor of Tinney Chapel UMC, on this First Wednesday (12-02-09) of Advent Communion Worship Service.

Scripture helps us understand why this might be so, explained the Pastor, who cited the words of Jesus, from Mark's Gospel: "The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light. And the stars of Heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in Heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory."

After all, this is talk of End Times! Not exactly everyone's idea of a favorite bedtime story for the kids?

But, added Pastor Gross: "God can be trusted to be there with love, welcome and open arms at the end of our journey."

Among the cautionary warnings, however, said Pastor Gross: "We are to keep awake, and not just wait, but also be vigilant...while waiting in Hope, as indicated by Sunday's Advent Candle."

This is the event that all True Christians have awaited their whole lives. It's our ticket back home to God. We should be confident if our preparation has been sound, and we must not stray.

"Our relationship with God should be the first thing on our minds in the morning and the last thing on our minds when we go to sleep at night," emphasized Pastor Gross. Our goal should be to help ourselves and others to live lives of love and peace, pleasing to God. A good way to keep this goal in mind might be to remember the words of the famous hymn, "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love."

While none of us particularly like the unknown, we are to wait patiently for God, who is always patient with us, in keeping our eyes on the ultimate goal. If we have helped our neighbor, God will greet us with a word of encouragement on that day.

Amen!