From the Pastor - December 21, 2026
- Heidi Overfelt
- Dec 20, 2025
- 1 min read
Greetings for the Holy Season! The focus for the last
Sunday in Advent is on Mary, the Mother of our Lord.
Chosen by God, she represents ultimate servanthood and
faith - at a time which must have been quite stressful since
she was engaged to Joseph. This Sunday Isaiah
prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name
him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the
annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel,
God-with-us.
During these final days of Advent we pray, “O come, O
come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on the O
Antiphons, ancient prayers appointed for the seven days
preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday of Advent we
prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us
from the power of sin and death.
I hope you will be able to be with us on Christmas Eve!
Our worship here in Bedford will be at 5:30pm and, if you
prefer a later worship, we will gather at 7:30 in Lynchburg.
May you all have a blessed Christmas!