Frank and to the Point

PUBLISHED IN THE EVANGEL // December 4, 2007

Pastor Frank Lewis

Advent is here. I don’t mind telling you this is one of my favorite times of the year. Advent is the Christian season that leads up to Christmas. It is a time for heart preparation. Advent is not Christmas. It is a four-week opportunity to slow the pace of life just a bit and intentionally focus on listening for the whisper of God as a busy calendar year comes to a close. I love Advent so much because I recognize the need to slow down, count my blessings, and reorient myself to the things that tend the spiritual flame of my heart. I need what Advent offers, and so do you.

This year our Advent Theme is Prince of Peace, Child of Peace. We will look at four wonderful texts of scripture that come to us from Isaiah’s prophecy concerning a day when peace will be experienced by those who learn to wait on the Lord God. As in years past, you will find a helpful Advent devotional guide prepared by our Family Enrichment Commit-tee and written by members of First Baptist Nashville that follows the emphasis of the sermons I will preach during this special season.

In other news that is important to the First Baptist Nashville family, I have very reluctantly received the resignation of Kim Hester as Pastor’s Assistant. A ministry assistant for the past 20 years, Kim has served our church with distinction and grace with 16 of those years in the pastor’s office. A desire to make room in her schedule for the birth of her first grandchild occasions this announcement. Kim will begin working from home on a part-time basis for a hymnal project under development by Mercer University (seems I’ve heard this before.) With thankful hearts we will continue to see Kim on the piano each week in worship. I know you will join me in expressing your gratitude for her ministry with us.