ADVENT ANTICIPATION
I am consistently surprised by the way this season brings about thoughts of joy and hope, even when I am not expecting it. I smell the leaves, maybe a campfire. I see the lights and symbols appear. I hear old familiar tunes. I cannot help it. My spirit is lifted in anticipation. The season once again has a power of its own that I don’t need to bring to it.
What is it we anticipate? Family and friends? Traditions and warmth? Gifts and giving? Food and festivities? Faith and fellowship? Maybe we look forward to the change of pace that snow and cold weather necessitate. Who doesn’t love a snow day?
I invite you to anticipate the Choir Cantata during the first two services on December 15th. I invite you to anticipate with me our Children’s Christmas Pageant, at 1 pm on the 22nd. We will have a combined Celebration Sunday service 10 am with a meal to follow. Stick around and see what the kids have planned for you! Who will you invite to the Christmas Eve candlelit service?
I invite you to anticipate one last thing this Advent and Christmas Season... we will be blessed with another guest preacher on the 8th.
Let me introduce to you Elisabeth Lectka through a short bio I asked her to write for you:
“Over my ten years in full-time ministry, I have served in young adult, student and family ministry roles. I studied Organizational Communication and Leadership at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN. I just recently completed my Master of Divinity at Northern Seminary in June of 2024 and am discerning how to move forward toward ordination.
I grew up at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Naperville, IL and was heavily involved in the high school ministry as a student. While I thought my future might be in pharmacy, during college God revealed to me that He had other plans! After various experiences in youth and young adult ministry in college and in Berlin, Germany, I returned to Good Shepherd as a staff member in 2017. I currently serve as the Student Minister and get to walk alongside middle and high school students as they begin to figure out how to follow Jesus on their own.
My husband, David, and I were married in January of 2021 (pandemic wedding!). We live in Aurora, IL with our Golden Retriever, Charlie. In August of 2024 we welcomed our daughter, Alice Kay, into the world. In my free time, you'll find me running, cooking, reading, and traveling!
Thanks again for the invitation - I am really looking forward to the opportunity and to get to worship with the people of Messiah Lutheran!”
In anticipation of what God does next,
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