First Presbyterian Church of Bismarck
Pastor Leanne's Message for the month of December 2024:
They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?
Ever since our ancestors died,
everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
2 Peter 3:4
Advent is a season meant to give voice to our deepest longings. The sober tunes of Advent like, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” are deliberate liturgies of stressful waiting in which the people of God sing out their most painful need for the intervention of God. Advent is designed to open us up, to tell the truth of our spirits – to be exposed before God as people who must have things that only God can supply.
This is how all of the nativity narratives open – with longing and desperation that has gone on too long. Israel awaits a Messiah while generation die under Roman rule. Prophecies of God’ deliverance unfulfilled, hang over every word. A young maiden believes she will never see a just world because the government is too corrupt. An old man believes he will die childless because God has not answered a lifetime of prayers. And taxes… heavy, agonized taxes that fund the very government that crushes their spirits. Advent always begins with the questions: “where is God? Why haven’t my prayers been answered? Why are the bad guys winning?”
And then, Christ arrives. Quietly, in ignominy, and in poverty, and the heavens ring out with the long-for answer: “he is here! God has answered! The good guys are finally going to win!” And everyone whose hope was dying is suddenly vivified – and a young maiden sings of the fulfillment of prophecy, the overthrow of a corrupt government and an unjust wicked world. The Kingdom has arrived because the King is here.
Except, it doesn’t. Not completely. What arrives in Christ is the beginning of the answer to prayer, the start of the Kingdom; hope touches down with the feet of Christ, and everywhere he goes, he demonstrates what the Kingdom is like, as he feeds the poor, heals the sick, eats with outsiders and forgives sin. What he brings is partial fulfillment, and even more promises. His death is a huge disappointment. His resurrection a shocking twist of belief. And then, he is gone. Leaving the church to carry on his mission of advancing the Kingdom of God.
This season, as every season, I am always struck by how much of our belief system can only thrive if our hearts are doggedly hopeful and our perspectives are fueled by patience. Lions do not lie down with lambs, guns have not been beaten into plowshares… and here we are in Advent, with aching hearts that are still dreaming the dreams that Mary and Joseph’s generation dreamed. The Apostle Peter saw this coming. He knew we would be asking, “where is the promise? – when will peace on earth actually come?” And he replies, “but do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead God is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
In other words, even in the day of our deepest longing, God is at work, and the difficult periods of waiting are somehow connected to God’s mercy, not God’s indifference. The prayers which we lift up in daily desire and need are ever present before the throne of God – God is at work. God will come through.
This is the call of Advent – dare to believe again. Refuse to get jaded. Don’t give up and despair, don’t worry that you are on your own. Advent: the “coming/arrival” of God is here to remind you, once again: “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth goodwill to men (and women!).
Leanne
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First Presbyterian Church
is a Community called to love God through Worship and Prayer, receiving and serving our neighbors with the compassion of Christ, open to new beginnings and the spiritual growth of children, youth and adults.
First Presbyterian Church
214 E. Thayer Ave. Bismarck, ND
Phone: (701) 223-6091
OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Email: firstpresbyterian@fpcbismarck.com
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childcare@fpcbismarck.com OR cccasst@fpcbismarck.com
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St. Andrew's Day Celebration
with
First Presbyterian Church of Mandan
and Glencoe Sloan Memorial Presbyterian Church
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2024 SCHOLARSHIPS
The Scholarship Committee of First Presbyterian Church is pleased to announce the availability of a limited number of scholarships for our church community. To be eligible for consideration to receive a scholarship, a student must be an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Bismarck or must have been an active participant in the life of First Presbyterian Church of Bismarck for at least three years. The awards are given for students at any level of study beyond high school. Four years is the maximum for receiving scholarships: these need not be consecutive years. Graduate students may apply for scholarships, providing they are within the four year maximum.
The deadline to apply is May 17, 2024
DO YOU HAVE A NEED?
ARE YOU WILLING TO HELP?
We encourage you to continue to love your neighbor well at this time. Hebrews 13:16 challenges us to“dowhat is good and to share, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”Thank you for being the Church.
Are you in need of assistance that you can not get help? Email firstpresbyterian@fpcbismarck or call 701-223-6091 and let us know how we can help.
WAYS TO GIVE:
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3. Mail checks to First Presbyterian Church, 214 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501.
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