FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
  • Home
  • About
    • Visitors
    • What We Believe
    • Our Staff
    • Pastoral Search
  • Worship
    • Services
    • Livestream
    • Music
  • Faith Formation
    • Adults
    • Youth
    • Children
  • Outreach
    • Local Missions
    • Global Missions
    • Pastoral Care
    • Parish Nurse Ministry
  • Giving
    • Giving
    • Planned Giving
    • Stewardship
  • Connect
    • Calendar
    • Videos
    • Weekly Announcements
    • Resources
  • More
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Presbyterian Weekday School
    • Mother's Morning Out

2020 Advent Devotional

Thursday, December 17, 2020

God Allows U-turns

Read Hebrew 1:1-4
Devotional by Donna Atkins

There is a story told of a man by the name of Mr. Kline, who felt discouraged and defeated. He was convinced that life just wasn’t worth living because no one cared about him. Then one Sunday evening he walked by a church while a service was in progress. He could hear the congregation singing through the slightly-opened windows.

Their song was an old gospel hymn: “Saved by grace alone, this is all my plea. Jesus died for all mankind, and Jesus died for me.” Mr. Kline’s hearing was not very good, so when the congregation came to the line, “Jesus died for all mankind,” he thought they sang, “Jesus died for ol’ man Kline.”

“Why, that’s me!” He said. Stopping in his tracks, he turned and entered the church. That night he listened so intently as the minister presented the good news that Jesus came into the world to save sinners and he sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father. Mr. Kline experienced salvation that night-the unconditional love of God flooded his being, as did the love of the others attending the service. His need for someone who cared was fully met!

To repent means to “turn around,” to move toward God and away from evil. The Lord not only calls his people to repentance, but enables them to make “u-turns,” and start anew.

Have we taken him up on his free gift of forgiveness this Advent season?

Prayer Dear Lord, We are reminded today that you intercede for us who are sinners. You allow us to make our own “u-turns” towards you this Advent Season. We are so grateful for your gift of forgiveness. AMEN.

Read Daily Devotionals by clicking on the links below.
November 29, 2020: Great Expectations by Beth Silver
November 30, 2020: A New Beginning by Roger Rizk
​December 1, 2020: Walk in his Paths by Helen Rogers
​December 2, 2020: Exhortation to Watch by Davidson Hobson
​December 3, 2020: He will Revive Us by Sarah Sumner
December 4, 2020: Still Small Voice by Coleman Efird
December 5, 2020: The Authority of Jesus Challenged by Grady Kennington
December 6, 2020: John the Baptist Prepares the Way by Bobby Sumner
December 7, 2020: Earnestly Seeking You by Mallory and William Trogdon
December 8, 2020: The Branch of the Lord by Craig Whitley
December 9, 2020: Oh! The Difference a Child Makes by Lee DuBois
​December 10, 2020: God Does Great Things by Jim Brown
December 11, 2020: A Personal Relationship with God by Kelly and Rick Hovis
​December 12, 2020: Abide with Us by Stuart Euliss
​December 13, 2020: Sharing the Good News by Sally and Gwin Hilton
​December 14, 2020: What is Joy? by Tyler Bullock
December 15, 2020: Repent and Turn to God by Betty Davenport
December 16, 2020: Preparing for Change by Mary Ann Aycock
December 17, 2020: God Allows U-Turns by Donna Atkins
Picture
Download a PDF copy of The Audacity of Advent
​by clicking here.

Picture

First Presbyterian Church

Contact Us

Address
​1621 E. Garrison Blvd.
​Gastonia, N.C. 28054
Phone
(704) 864-2651
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Affiliated with: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Presbytery of Western North Carolina
Copyright © 2020 First Presbyterian Church, Gastonia, N.C.
  • Home
  • About
    • Visitors
    • What We Believe
    • Our Staff
    • Pastoral Search
  • Worship
    • Services
    • Livestream
    • Music
  • Faith Formation
    • Adults
    • Youth
    • Children
  • Outreach
    • Local Missions
    • Global Missions
    • Pastoral Care
    • Parish Nurse Ministry
  • Giving
    • Giving
    • Planned Giving
    • Stewardship
  • Connect
    • Calendar
    • Videos
    • Weekly Announcements
    • Resources
  • More
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Presbyterian Weekday School
    • Mother's Morning Out