FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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2020 Advent Devotional

The Audacity of Advent

Do we dare to have an Advent of great expectations this year—what with the crippling health and economic consequences of COVID-19, extreme political rancor, the fracturing of civility, wild fires raging out of control, devastating tropical storms, oh, and for good biblical wrath measure, unchecked swarms of locusts blanketing the continent of Africa? I don’t know about you, but I’m entertaining the distinct feeling that this year an Advent of great expectations will require harboring a certain degree of audacity.
​
But, truth be told, Advent has always had an element of audacity about it, starting with the first time Jesus showed up—what with the oppression of the Roman Empire, the deadly self-aggrandizement of Herod, the unwed mom, no room in the inn, and a feeding trough for a baby cradle. It takes audacity to believe that this is the savior we were, we are, and will be looking for. For that matter, God is pretty audacious presenting himself in such a manner.
Welcome to reflections on Advent. You will find here that despite all that would suggest otherwise these days, we do dare to wait with great expectation, trusting in the divine audacity with which God chooses to redeem us from the most dire circumstances—who over and over renews those who wait for the Lord.

Rev. Fred Lyon
​Interim Senior Minister

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
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​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
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December 18, 2020: God is Faithful Still by Barbara Voorhees
December 19, 2020: Trust and Believe by Matt Miller
December 20, 2020: A House of Cedar by Charles Grissom
December 21, 2020: Mary's Song of Praise by Baity 
Ferguson
December 22, 2020: Give Until It Feels Good by Barbara Yarbrough
December 23, 2020: Room at the Inn by Lillian Osei-Boateng
​December 24, 2020: The Gift by Leslie Wallace
​
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Download a PDF copy of The Audacity of Advent
​by clicking here.
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First Presbyterian Church

Contact Us

Address
​1621 E. Garrison Blvd.
​Gastonia, N.C. 28054
Phone
(704) 864-2651
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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