God's love for the world and all of creation is one of the greatest "love stories" ever told.  Like any story, for it to carry on it has to be told and retold every generation.  Passionate people and communities continue to tell the story in new and inventive ways that helps new generations learn and experience the ancient story of God's love becoming human in the Christ event.  It may be one of the greatest "love stories" ever told, but it also is a story that needs to be told with passion and creativity so that it will continue to live beyond those of us reading this and beyond our grandchildren.

 

The "Advent Conspiracy" is born out of a passion to reach new folks with this greatest love story ever told.  By worshipping fully, spending less, giving more and loving all, we are invited to retell the story not just with our mouths, but we are invited to tell this story with our hands, feet and even our ears.  You might be surprised by the reaction of others when you feed the homeless, take time to write cards to strangers in harms way or who are alone at home or stand in the cold ringing a bell to raise money for people you'll never meet.  If people ask you why you do such things, I hope you'll have the ability to say it's because of God's love for me.  If you happen to be blessed enough to have someone ask that question, I would invite you to ask them, "what do you think of that," and simply listen.

 

Join the conspiracy and invite God's love into the world in human form through Jesus and through the love you show. 

 

Grace and Peace to you all,

Nathan D. Stanton

Senior Pastor,

Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church

~ Join us for an Advent prayer service this Wednesday at 6:30 in the chapel.  Pray for the burdens we are lifting to God in this season and share in Holy Communion.

 

~ Pick up an Advent Prayer calendar if you didn't get one last week for your daily focus on God.  Pray for your church, your family and the deep needs of our world through this tool.

 

~ Participate in the "Advent Conspiracy" book study in the Explorers Sunday school class this Sunday.  This study is in room 209 at 9:30 and will go throughout the Advent Season.

 

~ Help with the "Red Kettle" campaign at the  21st and Amidon Dillon's on December 8th and 12th.  Sign up for shifts at the Conspiracy Center table in the room outside the sanctuary.

 

~ Take time to write a note and "send a touch of home" to United States service members and veterans across the country and abroad.  This is part of the Red Cross initiative "Holiday Mail for Heroes."

 

~ Prepare a special gift to empower the "Nothing but Nets," campaign to protect children and adults from the deadly impact of Malaria in Africa.  Check it out here at www.nothingbutnets.net.   We will take a special offering up on Sunday, December 20.