Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Bena, will offer Voices of Advent, a Bible study program focused on Advent, at 9:30 a.m. over the four Sundays of the season: Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, 14 and 21.
Pastor Chuck Winner will lead the sessions. The liturgical season of Advent, a time of preparation and anticipation, has been observed at least since the fourth century. Ancient Christians devoutly watched for the Second Coming of Christ, while contemporary believers prepare for and look forward to Christmas, the birthday celebration of Jesus. Christmas may have overshadowed Advent in our world, but we are still advised to be watchful for the “second advent.”
Many Advent liturgies contain the admonishment “Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come.”
Similar passages will be examined in the series, which considers Advent from the point of view of biblical persons in their own words as written down by the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The roles of most of the m...