On Christmas morning, we often look for the names. Even with the gifts I’ve wrapped up and placed under the tree, I can’t always remember whose are whose. The tags help; name tags, if you will.
That’s our focus this Advent and Christmas season at First Presbyterian Church: names. The Scripture passages that prepare us for Jesus’ birth and announce his arrival are full of names for God and for Jesus. Names like Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This season, we’ll take a deeper dive into those names and how they shape our own journeys as Christians. We’ll think about how we talk about God and what those ancient words can remind us of today.
Finally, we’ll also be doing a special push to learn one another’s names this season. Some of you may have your name tag from the all-church retreat. If so, please wear it! If not, we’ll have paper name tags to sport each Sunday in Advent and Christmastide. We’ll focus on the importance of names for God and the importance of knowing one another by name, as well.
I can’t wait to celebrate this season with you, as Jesus—God with us, Immanuel—is coming into the world again. Thanks be to God.
Peace,
Pastor Billy
Upcoming Scripture readings and sermon series:
-
November 29, 2026 - Many Names: Wonderful Counselor - Isaiah 9: 2-7 and Mark 13:24-37
-
December 6, 2026 - Many Names: Mighty God - Isaiah 40: 1-11 and Mark 1:1-8
-
December 13, 2026 - Many Names: Everlasting Father - Isaiah 61: 1-11 and Luke 1:46b-55
-
December 20, 2026 - Many Names: Prince of Peace - 2 Samuel 7:1-16, Luke 1:26-38
-
December 24, 2026 - Many Names: God With Us - Isaiah 9:1-7 and Luke 2:1-20
-
December 27, 2026 - Many Names: God's Salvation - Isaiah 61:10-62:3 and Luke 2:22-40
-
January 3, 2027 - Many Names: Light to the Nations - Epiphany Sunday - Isaiah 60: 1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12
-
January 10, 2027 - Many Names: Beloved Son - Baptism of Christ Sunday - Isaiah 42:1-9 and Mark 1:4-11