Dear Glen Mar Friends,

I was reading a meme on Facebook the other day that said, “If they think the ‘supply chain’ can keep Christmas from coming, they must not know much about the true meaning of Christmas.” Amen to that! As Advent approaches, I’m reminded again this year about the gift of a Savior, Jesus Christ, who comes to us in seasons when we need him the most.  We celebrate his coming to us, his birth, not in the long easy days of summer, but in the cold, dark, time of the year. A time when we need light more than ever.  And this year, as like last year, it seems we need the Light of the World more than ever too.

Thankfully, we know that Jesus is sent to us as a gift, to meet our real needs, our real longings, and our real hurts and pains, with real joy and love and peace.  We continue to shine this light in everything we do here at Glen Mar, including in worship (in person and online) and in small groups (Disciple Bible Study, Unshakeable Hope: Building Our Lives on the Promises of God, Be The Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation, and this Advent, The Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent). Mission Board and teams have responded in amazing ways to community needs, from masks to food to flu and COVID shots. We’ve reached out to schools, and families and supported our community partners like Howard County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), Habitat for Humanity and Bridges To Housing Stability.

Looking ahead, we are preparing even now for another “Journey to Bethlehem” experience that shares the true meaning of Christmas with both walking and “in your car” options. Christmas Eve services will be in person and live-streamed so that we may share the Light of Christ with each other and our neighbors and the world.

Please join us and invite your friends and neighbors too for Advent and Christmas seasons. Remember, your “neighbor” can be anywhere to join us this year! I suspect we will discover, once again, that Christmas is not something we buy or arrange or consume. Christmas is about the gift of Jesus.  And Jesus comes to us even and most especially in years when we need him the most.

I’m so proud to be on the journey with you, and I’m so grateful for your continued support. We are blessed to be a blessing in this and every season.

See you in church,

Pastor Mandy