As many of you know, this is December and Christmas is among us. Many, if not all churches, have begun the lighting of the advent candles. We lit the second advent candle this week preparing the way of the Lord and looking at the story of John the Baptist.

John 1:6-8 reads, "There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light."

John's ministry was preparing the way for the Lord, Jesus Christ to come.

There's a lot to John's story and Pastor Rick will be going into detail here in a second.

Right now, just open your heart and minds to the message. Begin preparing the way for the Lord in your own lifer.

I end with this scripture and in my opinion a prayer found in Hebrews chapter 10 verses 19, 22, and 23 "Since we have confidence to enter the Most High Place by the blood of Jesus…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart…let us hold unswervingly to the hope we confess, for He who promised is faithful."

If you believe that God wants to do something significant in this city, then you, too, have reached that point of a crisis of belief. Encounters with God require faith. Encounters with God are God-sized. True faith requires action. What you do in response to God's invitation reveals what you truly believe about God. What do you truly believe about God? And how will you put that into action?

This service and podcast are dedicated to the new Capital Stewardship Campaign going on at Christ Community Church. We believe ths church is growing and we've seen that through moving to this location on West Prien Lake Road three years ago. God is moving in this place and you have an opportunity to be a part of what God is doing here through this congregation. Our way has never been to motivate people through guilt, pressure, embarrassment, or promising special divine favors to those who give. We have always simply presented the need, and to point you to the Lord for His guidance and instructions. Listen to what God is calling you to do. 

This message is a message of vision casting. Where we were and where we are! We believe that God will bring to completion that which He has started. Wouldn't you like to be a part? We invite you to pray, and become a part of what God is doing here and through this place.