Visiting speaker Pastor Phil Pye brings the first of two messages today. On the first Sunday of Advent, he focuses on a simple but powerful theme: “God is with us.” He reads the Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah about a virgin giving birth to a son named Emmanuel, and then Matthew’s account where that prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus. Advent, he explains, is a season of anticipation—looking back to Christ’s first coming and forward to His promised return. But instead of obsessing over when Jesus will return, we’re meant to live in hope, doing the work God has given us and carrying His light into the world.
Pastor Phil reminds us that names in Scripture matter, and the name Emmanuel carries deep meaning: God stepped into humanity. Jesus wasn’t just a beautiful Christmas story—He is God in the flesh, the One who holds all things together, the Alpha and Omega. Though He came as a vulnerable baby, He never stopped being fully God.
He offers three key reflections. First, this is an essential requirement: every believer needs to know—not just hope—that God is with them. Whether facing a difficult year, navigating uncertainty, or feeling spiritually dry, God enters our experiences and walks with us through them. Scriptural snapshots, like Jesus as a boy in the temple, the lukewarm church in Revelation, and Moses refusing to move without God’s presence, all reinforce this truth.
Second, he gives an encouraging reassurance: God is with His people in a fearful, anxious, and often hostile world. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who feels overlooked, God’s presence equips you to shine where you are.
Finally, he presents an emphatic reality: Jesus stands above every belief system that gets Him wrong. He is not just a seasonal figure or a prophet—He is Lord. Pastor Phil closes by urging the church to make much of Jesus this Advent season, to carry His presence into everyday life, and to remain rooted in the confidence that Emmanuel—God with us—remains true.