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The Fount

Volume 6

2021 advent book

The Fount advent edition

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION BY PASTOR STEVE

PHOTO CREDITS Lauren Benesh Nathan Moeller David Nance Laurie Sellers

Special thanks to the SMBC Discipleship Committee for their collaboration on this project.

LIGHT & LIFE TO ALL HE BRINGS BY STEVE WELLS PASTOR

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give us second birth.

hen the page turned from 2020 to 2021, I hoped we would quickly return to a more normal rhythm for our lives. Hardly. The past year has been tumultuous. A year ago, all we wanted for Christmas was to be with family and friends. The economists say a disruption in the supply chain may mean this Christmas has fewer things — as your pastor I want you to know that we might well be better filled by last year’s longing than this year’s shortage. A wise person said, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” Jesus is the one who turns a hopeless end into unending hope. He is the one born to be King over all creation — to be Lord over all. The reign and rule of Jesus brings blessing, or as Charles Wesley wrote in 1739, “light and life to all He brings.” That phrase from Wesley’s hymn, “Hark! The Herald

Angels Sing” will guide our Advent worship this year. We’ll be in those quiet rooms where the Angel spoke to Joseph and to Mary. We’ll tend the Angel’s song in the fields over Bethlehem, and we’ll journey alongside the shepherds to the manger — and then “make known abroad” what we learn from the angel’s song and the shepherd’s eyes. I hope you’ll join us each week in worship. I pray you’ll take the opportunity to gather with your church family to hear again the familiar story and sing again the songs of Christmas. If you do, I think you may find that even in a season of turmoil, you have abiding peace; that even in days of confusion, you have a deep clarity about what matters in life.

INTRODUCTION 3

GLIMMER OF HOPE BY CAREY CANNON MINISTER FOR MUSIC AND WORSHIP

HOPE

ope – Peace – Joy – Love are the weekly themes of each Advent season. Of the four, hope is the only focus whereby the measure of how much is perhaps inconsequential. No one ever wants a little bit of peace, a drop of joy, or a morsel of love. You can never have too much peace. Whether peace within our hearts or peace for the entire world, the more peace the better. The same can be said for joy. David said in Psalm 16 that “in God’s presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures evermore.” So too is said of love. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 Yet I’m reminded of the familiar phrase, a glimmer of hope.

The smallest amount of hope is enough to change any circumstance. Our Advent theme, Light and Life to All He Brings is taken from Charles Wesley’s carol “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Think on the times in your life when you have been surrounded by complete and utter darkness... only to find a match or the smallest flicker of light dispelling that darkness. That is hope. It comes to us in times of despair when we are hanging on with all we have wondering how we will make it through. It is that small flicker of light that provides direction – a place to set our gaze. Hope is a small child born in a manger to shatter the darkness and to usher in a peace for the world, fullness of joy, and love overflowing.

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THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT

A Voice is Heard in Ramah... Matthew 2:18

BY MICHAEL SHIRL

But… There is always a voice in Ramah. There is always a Rachel crying for her children who are no more. There is always grief and loss for which there is no reason. There is always the violent death of the innocents. There is always a loss that no infant king can undo. Each of us has, or will have, a loss that stays with us.

Quietness pierced the night sky; blackness illuminated by countless pinpricks of light. The new moon was barely visible above the horizon and a sudden breeze curled around the lentil, startling awake the cattle and oxen. Mother and father awaken, pulse quickening for reasons yet unknown. In a moment their lives are transformed. Their children have been taken away – slaughtered. There is no reason; there is only violence and death to the least and the defenseless innocents. In a matter of minutes quiet returns. The night is heavy; the wails of grief rising into the vast darkness and void. There is no voice calling back to them. It will be days before they hear the rumor of an “infant king.” Their quiet village is suddenly part of a larger-than-life drama to which they never auditioned. They really don’t care about an infant king even if He was the Messiah. Their little boys were dead and no king, emperor, or lord could ever bring them back. Merry Christmas.

Amazingly, that is why Christmas – Advent – is so powerful. Advent is the pinprick of light breaking through the darkness; it is the outline of an unfolding Hope that wraps around and swallows the darkness; it is the full moon and it is the morning sun. Advent carries us through our seasons of darkness to Easter’s glorious light. Morning Has Broken! Christmas Joy to All! Wherever you may be in the journey, in joy or in sorrow, let the Light of Christmas guide your path this season and throughout the coming year. Amen. Michael and Sharna Shirl have been members since 1982. They have two adult children, Stephen and Kathleen, along with her husband Ike, and granddaughters Marley and Devin.

Well, this probably doesn’t seem like much of an Advent reading. But hang in there with me. I have wonderful memories of Sharna and me with our children and her family; laughing, opening presents, eating good food, driving through ice storms, singing Christmas carols in the car, and going to see Christmas lights. There are the many Christmas Eve services and even the year that our tree (artificial) was still up until just before Easter! I love the season.

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THE MESSIAH BY BETTY MCGARY

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1: 5

The year 1979 was the worst year of my life. My nineteen-year marriage had ended, my dreams had died. Everything that had been “nailed down” for me had “come loose.” It seemed there were ”ashes for breakfast” every morning.

Christmas past had been filled with shopping, entertaining, decorating, baking, activities with the children, and Advent services. But for Christmas 1979, I focused on one goal. I would sing in The Messiah with the Crescent Hill choir.

By early November, I could see only darkness around me. There were problems with no solutions, questions with no answers. In desperation, I finally reached for the telephone. When my friend answered, I said, “Eleanor, I’m drowning. I need to do something, but I can’t think of anywhere to go or anything to do. Can you help me?” She responded, “You know, it’s almost Christmas. The choir is rehearsing The Messiah. Why don’t you come to family night dinner on Wednesday and stay for choir rehearsal?”

On the night of the performance, my children and my parents were sitting on the second row. My friends, Eleanor and Grady, were encouraging me with eye contact. The audience joined in the singing “Hallelujah... the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” We sang through our tears. “I know that my Redeemer liveth” was becoming my song again.

Somehow, I made it to Crescent Hill Baptist Church that Wednesday night. I can hardly hold back the tears as I visited with friends around the table. After dinner, I found my way to the choir room. I hoped no one would notice I was there. I knew I couldn’t sing a note, but I was determined to stay. It was incredible to me that other people were talking and singing. I stayed. I listened. The familiar words began to touch my brokenness. “...Comfort ye my people... saith your God... Every valley shall be exalted... The crooked straight, and the rough places plain... the glory of the Lord shall be revealed... The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light... For unto us a child is born... and His Name shall be called Wonderful... Rejoice O daughter of Zion... He shall speak peace. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd.”

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The year 1979 was the worst year of my life, but Christmas 1979 was my most meaningful Christmas. I have never known darkness before. In the darkness, I encountered the Marvelous Light that is Christmas. God‘s Word came to live with me and brought me through.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory. John 1:14

A VIEW FROM THE DARKNESS

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

BY GAYE YOUNG HAMOR

John 1:4

In my experience I have found God’s light in His word and in His people. I was a young mother of a 3-year-old toddler and pregnant with my second child. A good friend invited me to a Bible Fellowship study on the book of James. James is about when dark trials and sufferings come into your life. It is rich with advice on how to take those experiences and turn them into light from darkness. I believe with all my heart my God knew what I needed before I did and had nudged her to invite me.

Gaye Young Hamor has been a member since 1968, and has served on Finance, Discipleship, Nominating, and Committee on Committees. She has taught Sunday School to 5 year olds, 2nd graders, 12th graders, and adults. She retired after 19 years at Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer Center. She now volunteers, enjoys gardening, reading, and playing with her grands. She is still supported and loved well by her SMBC community, many of which helped her through a dark time. Gaye’s 3 year old is now 40 with a wonderful wife and three beautiful kids. The baby girl is 37 with a wonderful husband and two beautiful kids. In testimony to God’s redemptive light, the three of them came through that rough time and are all loving, whole human beings.

He equipped me with His word/light to be ready when the darkness fell. When my marriage fell apart, I leaned on the light in those words I had studied for months before in that Bible Study. They were life sustaining as was the community God has surrounded me with to help me through. The book of James was my encourager, my hope, and my light when I was wandering in pain, disillusionment, and darkness. The light in those words have stayed with me and I’ve used them again when more darkness has come into my life as it does in each life. And I remember how God gave me the light for my path through His word and His messengers on Earth each time darkness comes, and I’m not afraid. He will always shine His light in my darkness.

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PEACE BY GREG FUNDERBURK MINISTER FOR PASTORAL CARE

PEACE

r. Samuel Johnson produced the definitive Dictionary of the English Language during a time in which he was also translating classical works of ancient literature, writing plays, composing poetry, penning travel essays, and serving as the editor of an influential British newspaper. That’s all to say Dr. Johnson knew something about work, as well as words. He is also among the most quotable of historic figures. “To be happy at home,” he said, “is the ultimate result of all ambition, the end to which every enterprise and labour tends, and of which every desire prompts the prosecution.” While his words refer to domestic happiness, they speak also to the peace

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on offer to us at the conclusion of our earnest efforts. As we find ourselves near the end of a year of strenuous labor, perhaps consider offering to God a prayer like this: What’s been done has been done; what’s not been done has not been done; let it be. Then, in God’s holy presence contemplate the coming of the Christ child in connection with the many definitions of peace appearing in Dr. Johnson’s famous dictionary: “Rest. Quiet. Respite. Stillness. Reconciliation.” Then finally this one: “A word commanding silence.” Amen.

TURNING OUR FACE TO THE LIGHT

Arise, shine; for your Light has come.

BY PATTIE CHAPMAN

Isaiah 60:1a

Anyone fortunate enough to be traveling through the prairies of North America from July to September will be rewarded by vast expanses of yellow flowers as far as the eye can see-flowers lined up like soldiers on parade in cultivated fields or blossoms carelessly loitering by the side of the road. Sunflowers nod in the warm summer breeze and seem to smile at the world as their yellow and brown faces turn up to meet the sun.

At this time of the year we tend to get sidetracked by components of the Christmas season that are not part of Christ’s Light - things like responsibilities, worries, obligations, etc. that obscure the “Light” that first came to us at Christmas. My prayer this year is that I can be more like the sunflower - orienting my face to the Light and remembering that before Christ came, we were people of darkness – now we are people of His Light.

Blooming in summer, this native North American plant’s large solitary blossoms are actually composed of numerous smaller blooms: yellow ray flowers and a central disc of yellow, brown, or purple flowers. The tiny blossoms work together, impersonating a huge flower. In the plant world, it is the boldest bloom that gets the bee, and the sunflower’s allusion ensures its survival. Sunflowers have always held a special place in my heart and my garden as reliable, easy-to-grow blooms that attract both butterflies and birds.

Prayer: Dear Father, help me to rejoice only in the Light that has come. Amen.

But the characteristic I admire most about the sunflower is its constant need to orient to the sun. One year while my husband and I were driving through Kansas on our way to Colorado, we discovered we could discern the location of the sun (and most of the time, our travel direction) by observing the sunflowers in the passing fields and roadsides. In the early morning the blossoms‘ shaggy heads were turned to the east, welcoming the light of the sun and the new day. At noon each flowers stood at attention with its face turned upward to the sun, drinking in its warmth and light. At dusk all flowers faced west, bidding the sun goodnight. We marveled at the single-mindedness of these flowers to find the sun, tracing it from dark to dusk the whole day, and then, with the new dawn, beginning their task again.

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

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CHILD OF LIGHT BY VIVIAN SPOEDE

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light... Ephesians 5:8

We hear a lot about “luck” in our day-to-day lives. How lucky was it that my teacher decided not to pick up this homework I didn’t have time to finish or that we had food in Health class today because I didn’t have breakfast? We often use it without a second thought. My father, however, challenged me to reject the idea of “luck” and to see the happy little occurrences that brighten my day as God’s blessings. It took a while to see things my dad’s way, but now I no longer see lucky coincidences. I see God’s intentional blessing. He sees my struggles and gives me grace. This perspective is especially important during Advent, when we celebrate God’s biggest blessing to us. Because of the grace offered through Jesus’ birth, I grow closer to God every day. Seeing God’s grace to me in every blessing, big or small, creates a personal and intimate atmosphere around our relationship. It provides a sense of comfort and joy for my life.

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He will always be there to guide me. Knowing God is there and always has my back makes it easier to trust others and to be the light to those around me. It literally brings Ephesians 5:8 into my life: “For you were once darkness, but now you are in the light of the Lord. Live as children of light...” This week I challenge you to look at your life and instead of seeing “lucky” coincidences, see God’s intentional blessing.

Vivian Spoede is a sophomore in high school and a member of the SMBC Youth Group. She and her family joined South Main in 2017.

BEING PRESENT BY BOB SEALE

This morning I awoke earlier than usual and lay in bed attempting to pray. My prayers were frequently invaded by thoughts of the many things I had to do in preparation for Christmas. Reports had to be finished, gifts bought, cards addressed, parties attended. One hour later, all these things continue to buzz through my head and my prayers were still unfinished. How ridiculous — Christmas standing in the way of prayer! Suddenly my thoughts went back to Belgium during World War II. Scattered throughout Europe are small shrines, mostly made of rock and concrete, along roadways in the countryside. I was on my way back to division headquarters and only about a mile from the front lines, when I saw a soldier in the distance approaching one of the shrines. I stopped my motorcycle and watched. He knelt in prayer with all the sounds of war around him. Then he arose, picked up his weapon and headed back to the front. He prayed despite all the distractions of war, yet I was allowing shopping lists and Christmas cards to keep me from prayer. I needed to make some changes. I was telling God how things ought to be arranged; I needed to listen.

I doubt that I am much different from many other people who are so easily distracted by the less important issues of life. Some of our materialistic values are so ridiculous. I heard about a woman who, on seeing a manger scene in a store window, exclaimed, “The church again! Now it’s trying to horn in on Christmas!“ This year, as usual, I do not have the time or money to do all the things I would like to do. But there is one thing I can do — let God speak through me to bring happiness to others with a cheery smile and, hopefully, just the right words that will comfort them and brighten their day. God will use you, too, if you will let Him.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

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YEAR IN REVIEW

YEAR IN REVIEW CONTINUED

JOY BY DOLORES RADER MINISTER TO FAMILIES

JOY

hen you consider the difference between joy and happiness, what comes to mind? I suspect the answer depends on many things.

To the seven-year-old beginning reader, the difference may be that one is a really short word and the other is long and much harder to spell. To a teen of the eighties, one is the centerpiece of a little song Bobby McFerrin wrote. You might want to sing it note for note. Don’t worry. Be happy. And for those who were raising children in the eighties, joy was sung to all the boys and girls and the fishes in the deep blue sea. Joy to you and me.

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And in this Advent season as I reflect on the past two years, there has been much less happiness in my life and seemingly in the world. Personally and globally there has been hardship and anxiety and so much grief. And in this Advent season as I reflect on the past two years, I know there has been an undeniable and steady undergirding of joy. Elizabeth exclaims to Mary upon her first visit that the baby in her womb leaps for joy upon hearing the voice of her Lord’s mother. Mary responds, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

This is joy. The presence of our Lord instills joy. Circumstances are irrelevant. Shame, humiliation, sorrow, longing, grief all live side by side a deep and unwavering joy which comes from being near Jesus.

BELIEVING IN THE STILLNESS

Be still, and know that I am God.

BY MELINDA VILLASEÑOR

Psalm 46:10

Three years ago, in October, my husband, Johnny, was out of work for three months because of a work-related injury. We tried very hard to make ends meet on the income of my part-time job and became very aware of doing without all the extras.

Johnny and I will never forget this Christmas gift. God is faithful to His promises; He never leaves us or forsakes us. The tremendous impact that our church family had on our lives during that Christmas season will never be forgotten. This brought a change in our lives. Johnny and I decided that we wanted to become a part of this kind of gift-giving, wanting to bestow upon others the priceless gifts we experienced through our church family.

As the Christmas season arrived, we realized this would be a Christmas without gifts. This was very depressing, but we will always remember this as the Christmas when God showed us the meaning of true gifts. During this difficult time we were strengthened and encouraged by the tremendous love of so many in our church. Along with all the support, there also came a time for us to pause — God again, through His people, reminding us of His love. In spite of not being as active in church as we once had been, people we didn’t even know were praying, calling, and encouraging us. Before Johnny’s injury we had been so busy with life that we were only attending church on Sunday. I thank God for this pause. It gave us the opportunity to re-prioritize our lives and remind us again that living our lives with God on the back burner is not His plan.

The gift of love — God‘s love in a time of need. The gift of stillness — stillness to hear His voice calling.

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BEING A GIFTER BY TIFFANY CATE

I love gifts! I love giving gifts and I even love receiving gifts. This was not always the case, though. A dear friend of mine used to “bless” me at random with presents when I least expected them. This blew me away especially when it was something that she’d heard me mention just once in passing. I loved how cherished she made me feel, and so I began my journey in gift giving. This quickly became one of my favorite things. Let me elaborate. The act of giving is a gift in and of itself. It requires that I go out of my way, to look outside of myself – and let’s face it, most of the time we’re usually only thinking of ourselves. The process requires me to get to know someone and listen often. This can be hard. But, oh the joy when I go above and beyond to show someone that I thought of them. The gift becomes as rewarding to me as to my recipient. Now, let’s be honest - it can truly be awkward to receive a gift from someone because we may think we don’t deserve it, or we don’t need it, or maybe we think we have nothing to give in return. But there are two things I love about receiving a gift. First, someone thought about me, loved me enough to put me first. That thought alone gives me the warm fuzzies all over. Second, there is humility in receiving. When I don’t have anything to give in return I am humbled in receiving. It’s a battle with pride which also makes the humility all the more beautiful, don’t you think?

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Christ gave us the greatest gift, the gift of life with Him forever. We did nothing to deserve this gift, and yet He knew exactly what we needed. When we humbly receive His gift, truly acknowledge that we don’t deserve it and yet welcome it greatly, there is an overflow. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” And when we stand in awe of what Christ did for us, we want to give like Christ, and we in turn show ourselves as the Imago Dei, the image of God. Then when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us as we learn more of the continuous gift He gives us through sanctification, we overflow with hope; a hope, a light, others are drawn to. Let’s be gifters this season. Gifters of thoughtful presents and gifters of light.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 Tiffany Cate is married to her husband of almost three years, John Cate. She has been a member of SMBC for a short time but has loved the family she is starting to make here. Both she and John work for Camp Ozark, a Christian sports and adventure camp.

ONE CHRISTMAS UNDER THE STARS

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

BY DAVID WILKS CORBAN

Matthew 2:10

On a dark December evening some thirty years ago, my parents taught me the true meaning of Christmas.

When we pulled up in front of the cabin, Katie’s door opened and I could see her figure outlined in the door, with the kids crowding around her. Her face radiated happiness as she accepted Mom and Dad’s gift, and the kids rushed back into their cabin with the box. But more memorable was Katie’s expression of relief and gratitude as Dad took her account from his chest pocket and silently tore it in pieces.

My father ran a little country store in middle Tennessee, where sharecropping and hard labor were the ways of life for many farmers. Over the year, storekeepers like my father would extend credit to these folks, who would settle their debts when they sold their crops. Bad weather or poor harvests could mean financial ruin, or worse, for such farmers and their families. This year had been particularly rough for Katie, an older lady with a houseful of kids. Even with all her troubles, Katie had pride and an unerring faith that the future would bring better times, and my folks respected that. So on that cold December night, after we closed the store, my parents and I drove out to her house. In the front seat with Mom and Dad was a cardboard box full of toys, crayons, fruit, nuts, warm blankets, and some special treats.

Driving home that night, with my parents sitting quietly in the front seat, I watched the stars shining brightly overhead. Those same stars illuminated Bethlehem some 2000 years ago, as the Prince of Peace began His journey toward the payment of all our debts.

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LOVE BY MATT WALTON MINISTER FOR DISCIPLESHIP

LOVE

was 15 and had reached the zenith of my Little League career. I was in the final months of the eldest Little League division, on my final All-Star team. And we were good. We were the first team from College Station with a chance to advance to regionals in a long time, and I was the starting pitcher. My mom was there in the stands, ready to yell “Beautiful!” after every pitch. My sisters were there, begrudgingly. My dad, however, was not there. My dad was a Paramedic, and he was on duty that day. Just before the first inning began I heard a murmur ripple through the crowd as two fire trucks pulled into the parking lot, followed by multiple ambulances. Was there an emergency? An accident? No smoke billowed toward the clear skies. Then, my dad climbed out of an ambulance, followed by the firefighters and paramedics working his shift. They lined up along the fence down the first base line to watch the game.

This is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10 20 LOV E

This moment from my childhood reminds me that love shows up. Love is presence for another’s sake, despite the obstacles that seek to prevent it. I am reminded in this story that God moves toward us of His own initiative; God shows up for us. Do you find yourself yearning for love’s presence in your life? In Christ Jesus, God Himself draws near to you.

INSTRUCTIONS MATTER BY KEN KOLTER

I had a candle that wouldn’t burn once. Dad and I made it one night with the YMCA Indian Guides. There were five of us young boys and our five fathers. We cut string for the wick, melted paraffin in a pan, then dipped the wicks, and carefully filled the small milk containers we brought home from school with the melted paraffin after securing the wicks to the bottom of the carton. However, the paraffin would not be cool enough to transport at the end of the meeting. Practical problems need practical solutions. So the dads decided to more quickly reduce the temperature of the paraffin by introducing ice cubes. This did solidify the paraffin much more quickly, and by the time we had finished our closing circle ceremony the candles were ready. But, they sloshed. Turns out, oil and water don’t mix. The paraffin had formed a solid shell around the ice cubes which quickly liquified right in the center of the wax. A wick doesn’t really care what kind of moisture it is carrying, and so it dutifully saturated itself with water. Our practical solution had produced a practically useless candle. We, fortunately, have been fearfully and wonderfully made exactly according to plan. But it is on us to jealously guard all the important ingredients so we can shine Christ’s light into the darkness in our worlds.

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: “Here am I: If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:9–10

Ken Kolter is a longtime member of South Main Baptist Church. He is husband to Bobbye and father of Katlyn, Madison, and Alison, and serves in Chafin’s New Beginnings Bible Study Community.

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THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

BY SAM SWART

John 1:5

Back when I was a scout, of sorts, a Webelo to be exact, I went on a father/son campout to Camp Strake. It was an entirely new experience for me as we were not a camping family. Besides all of the awesomeness of woodland trails, adolescent male mayhem, and campfires, something that was particularly striking to me was just how dark it was out there in the woods at night. Once the campfire was out and we were all tucked in the old army-style tents, the darkness just got so thick. Having always been a nightlight kind of kid (which I’ll have you know I gave up after getting married), experiencing total darkness was unsettling. At bedtime there were still enough camp sounds that I was reassured all was OK and I fell asleep.

The tent was immediately and fully illuminated. Dad said everything was OK, we weren’t dead, and that I was safe.

At some point during the night, I woke up – at least it felt like I woke up – and it was just so completely dark. I could not see a thing. As the old saying goes, I literally could not see my hand in front of my face. My logical conclusion to this sensory deprived awareness was that I might be dead. While my thoroughly Baptist upbringing informed me that was not necessarily a bad state to be in, it was still quite scary. At some point I had enough of these thoughts and started calling for my dad. He quickly stirred and switched on his flashlight.

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While my dad made a strong case for our state of living, it was the light that convinced me – the impenetrable darkness had been pushed back. John the Gospel writer echoes the ancient writers and uses light as metaphor for the Word or the very truth of God – personified in Jesus. It cleanses, it exposes evil, but more than anything it rescues us from the despair of darkness; and my friends, we know the darkness is real. Advent is the perfect time of year to remind ourselves once again of the truth that the light is with us and darkness has no power to resist it.

Sam Swart and his wife Lisa joined South Main in 1988. They are the parents of Grace and Ned. He plays in the South Main Brass and has volunteered at construction mission trips.

SALT AND LIGHT BY NANCY BUNTE

When I think of the phrase, Light and Life to All He Brings, instantly the parable of salt and light in Matthew 5 comes to mind. I share this with my friends whenever their self-esteem takes a hit, their season in life seems stagnant or unpleasant, or their lows outnumber highs. Why? Because as the “salt of the world,” we are called to be preservers and enhancers of God’s goodness. As the “light of the world,” our good deeds should shine. Not so we’ll stand out individually, but so everyone looking at our light (non-believers included) might come to glorify our Father in heaven. Doesn’t that just put more pep in your step? Personally, it’s a reminder that my path through cancer recovery doesn’t have to be so dark. Is it more convenient to be angry and fearful? Maybe. More comfortable to depart from the obedient life? It can seem that way sometimes. As someone who’s almost ashamed to say I’ve tried all those ways, I only found myself more conformed to the world and less Spirit-led. Worse, it obstructed my testimony!

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Nancy and Christian Bunte are actively involved at South Main and were married at South Main in February of 2020. Nancy is a breast cancer survivor and uses her experience to encourage others within our congregation and community going through cancer treatment.

Instead, be that salt and light! Use your story to connect with others. You may even find some similarly struggling. Through the love of God (He who brings light and life to all), you’ll soon be on your way to feeling whole once more.

Lord, in this Advent season, may we be the light in the world and lead others to Your Life. May we help make heaven more crowded! Amen.

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ADVENT 2021 SCHEDULE KIDS’ DAY OUT Saturday, December 4 9:30 AM-3:30 PM

CHRISTMAS RECITAL 4:30 PM

LESSONS AND CAROLS 5:00 PM Sunday, December 5 Sanctuary

FAMILY MINISTRY CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Wednesday, December 8 6:30 PM Sanctuary

SERVICE OF HOPE & REMEMBRANCE Wednesday, December 15 6:30 PM Chapel

JOURNEY TO THE BABY Sunday, December 19 12:00 PM

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE Friday, December 24 5:00 PM Sanctuary

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