First United Methodist Church	200 Market Street    Warren, PA  16365          814-723-4930

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NOVEMBER  DEVOTION FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK… …Teleological  Teleological is a word that means “looking to the end.” Advent gives us the opportunity to look to the end. We celebrate the birth of Jesus each December. But the weeks leading up to that great day are to look to the end.      Nearly 2000 years ago, the Jews were looking to the end of their oppression. God had promised that one of the lineage of David would be on the throne forever and prophets had long foretold a day when Israel would be re-established. It was a great thing, a hope that sustained them through many trials and temptations, many defeats and oppressions. Nothing ever seemed easy for the Jewish people. But God was faithful. On that they could count!      And God was indeed faithful, sending his Son to a manger in Bethlehem. Just as he had promised, one of the line of David would be on the throne; and just as prophecied, he was sent to the town of Bethlehem. The end had come for the Jewish people. Their long hopeful wait was over. But, for the most part, they missed it. It wasn't as they expected. There were other matters much too important for a baby in Bethelehem, or a man from Galilee, to be of any significance. So they continue to look to the end.      But oddly enough, Christians (those who believed in Jesus) continue to look to the end as well. Jesus' coming wasn't the end, perhaps just the beginning. Paul thought that end was very soon at the beginning of his Christian ministry, but eventually settled into a belief that when God decided it was time, that would be time enough. So the overriding message of the New Testament is that the Kingdom of God is here in Jesus; but there is also a time, looking to the end, when Christ will return in all his glory and claim the earth as his own.     So we look to the end that was fulfilled in Jesus' birth. And we look to the end that will be fulfilled in his return. That's Advent!—preparing for what God has in store for us.      God has all kinds of beginnings and ends in store for us. I write this having just conducted a funeral for Harrietta Voty. It was an earthly end for her, but a heavenly beginning at the same time. As I write this, we begin a new time in our staffing with an Administrative Assistant, and hopefully soon, a Staff Youth Leader. As I write this, we are preparing for a new beginning with Jeff Sterling and his wife, Dara. The ministry in this church will see a new life in January. And as I write this, Nancy and I will soon be beginning a new ministry in another place. Teleological—we're looking at the end of a wonderful 10 ½ years in Warren; but also to new beginnings with the Sterlings in Warren and for us at Central Highlands. Change is a good thing. As we all look to the end, we'll be together again. In the meantime—we have loved you, and will continue. Grace to you - Bill Starr Have a merry, Christ-filled Christmas!  May God bless all of you with hope, peace, joy and love this season.