In the business of the season and through all the cares of life, may you: Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

Perhaps my favorite Sunday of Advent is the third Sunday when the pink candle is lit. The pink candle represents the joy of heaven over mankind’s redemption. It is also often fittingly called the Angel’s Candle. A distinct aspect of the angelic heralds of the Messiah’s advent is the irresistible joy that bursts forth in their messages. The heavenly messengers were overwhelmed with the Good tidings of great joy which they were blessed to declare. My desire is that this resistless joy of the angels about our Redeemer God’s Advent would always overwhelm us. God has declared that His joy is our strength (see Nehemiah 8:10b). In this season and all the year long may we ever find this so! The Psalmist declared of our Redeemer King, You will show me the path of life: in Your presence is fulness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). Hallelujah! May we be graced to declare this blessed news!

This past Sunday I had the special privilege of holding a pastoral installation service at Buckley Faith Community for Rev. Danny Griffin. He officially started there on November 17th. It was a joy to be with Pastor Danny and the Buckley Church. Please take the time to reach out and welcome him to our district!

May this week be blessed as you walk in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8).

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope (Psalms 16:8-9).

In Our Savior’s Service Together!
Rev. Dan Gilmore

Blessings of Advent to you all! May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all (2 Thessalonians 3:16). 

In the book of Hebrews the Scriptures open to us many deep and eternal insights into the nature and character of our Savior God, Jesus Christ. Many of the Old Testament types of Christ are illuminated including, Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of Righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of Peace (Hebrews 7:1-2). Melchisedec foreshadowed Christ’s kingship and priesthood and His redemptive ministrations, for Christ Jesus is Heaven’s incarnate King of Righteousness and thereby King of Peace. During this holy season may the peace with God afforded us through Christ alone be a special comfort and strength to you! Jesus said: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).

This Sunday I had the special privilege of holding a pastoral installation service at Boyne City. Pastor Bryan and Dorcus Cheever officially started their tenure at Boyne on September 10th. It was a joy to be with them and see how the Lord is already mightily using them as they lead the Boyne City Church. You will want to get to know this precious couple!

This past Saturday our district ministers and families met for our annual Christmas Gathering and luncheon at our Reed City. I want to extend a special thank you to Pastor Chris DeMott and the Reed City Church for their wonderful hospitality! This was a blessed time of godly fellowship. Please remember to hold our ministers and families before the Lord in prayer.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:13).

In Our Savior’s Service Together!
Rev. Dan Gilmore