Good Shepherd News

Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Advent is a season in which we are challenged to reorient our lives towards hope.

Dante's "L'Inferno" had this inscription above the entrance to hell: "Abandon all hope ye who enter here." Hell is a place where one has ceased to have hope. One of the unfortunate consequences of living in the modern/scientific era is that we have been told the lie that life is accidental, devoid of meaning, and as a consequence without hope.

The scriptures would tell us otherwise. The Incarnation, the great love story and rescue plan of God which involved his entering into our humanity and dying for us was not a last ditch effort at rescue when all else had failed.

The minute the door of the Garden of Eden closed behind our first parents Adam and Eve the Incarnation became a reality for God. It would begin in a wooden feed trough and end on a wooden cross. The birth, life, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ was not accidental - it was a planned purposeful event. There was a purpose to his life that included the way he would die.

How do we know? Because the Old Testament scriptures attest to that fact. On the road to Emmaus after the Resurrection "beginning with Moses (the first 5 books of the Bible), and all the prophets, he (our Lord) interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures." (Luke 24:27). To the Pharisees he said: "You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that testify on my behalf." (John 5:39)

Christ's life is not the only one with purpose. We were all born into His-story with a part to play - if we choose to. We have been equipped to play a vital role in the greatest epic of all time, and the only true one, of which The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars are mere shadows. There is a battle afoot with the Enemy of our souls - we know the ending - the beachhead has already been taken - but we must do our part.

Beloved, you are not an accident, you were created in the heart of God in love, you are unique, and uniquely gifted to participate in this great adventure. The only failure in this adventure is lack of obedience and trust in the ability of God to guide, and he says this: "do not fear, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine." (Is 43:1)

So "may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

Grace, Peace, and Love in our Lord Jesus Christ
Rev'd Sarah+

Oh Come All Ye Faithful...To a Ministry Appreciation Christmas Party!!!

Jim and Irene Burgess are graciously hosting a Christmas Party for all those who have participated in the various ministries at Good Shepherd over the last year

on Sunday, December 12th at 5:30 pm

91 Oakliegh Lane, Maitland