Weekly Update// Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

 While waiting in a Nazi prison cell in 1943 a few weeks prior to Advent, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (who was a seminary professor) wrote the following message to a friend: "A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes, does various unessential things, and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent."

 Shortly after penning those words, the Nazis executed Bonhoeffer for his role in the resistance movement to overthrow Adolf Hitler. But he was right: the door of freedom – for him and for us today – has to be opened from the outside. Thankfully God opens the door for all of us through the coming and second coming of Jesus Christ. As we continue our journey through Advent, the season leading into Christmas, I pray you to experience the liberating grace of God in Jesus in fresh and new ways.

 This Sunday Pastor Will is going to continue our Advent series on the “Characters of Christmas” with a look at Joseph, who became the earthly father of Jesus. I hope to see you (in person or online) at either the 9:30am (celebration/contemporary) or 11am (traditional) service. Together we will learn and better understand the role that Joseph played in the Christmas story.

 Enjoy the rest of your week!

 Blessings,

 Chris