Dear Christian friends:

Today is the First Sunday in Advent and the beginning of a new Church Year. You see the purple paraments, the purple advent wreath candles the same as you saw last year. You even sing the same songs and hear the same gospel and epistle lessons. And you think, "Same old way as last year." But you make a big mistake if you think that way. True, the decorations are the same and God's Word is the same. The Bible says, "Jesus Christ the same, yesterday today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) "For I am the Lord, I change not;" (Malachi 3:6)

But you have changed. You are not the same as you were one year ago. You are either stronger or weaker in faith than one year ago. The world is changing rapidly. We have many challenges, temptations, problems and troubles that will be different and new this year:


This is what Joshua told the children of Israel in our lesson and this is what God says to you through His Word today. Today we begin a new Church Year and a new road through life.

How shall we travel this new year? Shall we travel blindly and boldly like a fool with no guide or map? No, you know that is foolish and leads to trouble and destruction. Shall we look at the map and fear and tremble about the hard way ahead?

We should not be afraid about the future if we let God lead us. In our lesson we see how God led Israel on their new and hard way. In verse 3, Joshua says to the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before."

In the ark, the box carried by the priests, were the Ten Commandments and God's promises to be their God and forgive their sins and lead them to the land of Canaan. They did not have a Bible for everyone like we do today. Their Bible was the ark. They should follow the ark of God on their journey even though it led them a hard way.

Our "ark" is our Bible. If we read our Bible and follow God's Word and commands in that we should not fear. God will not fail us if we believe His promises and obey and follow His commands. This means following what our pastor preaches also. It means following his example in obeying and doing God's work.

We should follow God's Word about church missions and about witnessing as "ambassadors for Christ." For 1963 God is showing our congregation a new and hard way of $4,500 for world wide missions and working for our new building. More Bible study on Wednesday evenings and home bible study "Journey Through the Bible."

God is by His Word, by our Pastor, by our Synod, by the decisions of our voters showing, God is showing us and leading us for 1963. If we listen to God's Word, if we follow the decisions of our voters and of our Synod, if we follow the good example of our pastor and other leaders, then we should not be afraid. God will not fail us. He will bless us and help us on to success. He will do wonders among us in 1963.

But if we listen not to His Word. If we do not believe. If we complain and kick. If we mock and despise the good example of our pastor and other leaders. If we don't care for our Synod. Then God will not bless us. We will fail and He will do no wonderful works among us. Our church will not grow. Sunday School will go down. We will get behind in our budget and missions and building fund. We will fight and complain against one another. It will be a very sad year.

In our text we see how God did wonders among Israel when they listened to His Word and believed and obeyed. (Explain the miracle of the invisible dam at Jordan. Joshua 3:12-17) They had strong faith in God's power. It seemed impossible to cross that river. But they believed God's Word and command. God did wonderful things for them.

What God asks our congregation, Prince of Peace to do for 1963 also seems impossible: Get new building ahead, $4,500 for missions, $11,000 for current and mission budget, $6,000 for building. Seems impossible. Many will say we can't. So some said about Israel crossing the Jordan. But they believed God's Word and He gave them wonderful success. He will do the same wonderful things for us if we believe and obey.

When we see God's wonderful blessing and success our faith will grow more strong. We will have a thrilling year with God for our Lord Jesus Christ.

But one thing else we must not overlook. We must sanctify ourselves before God does His wonders through us. Joshua 3:5, "Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." "Sanctify yourselves", what does that mean? Make yourself holy. How do we make ourselves holy? By staying stubborn and making false excuses and telling lies to the pastor and God? By arguing and defending our wrong ways and sin? "Can't afford, too far, no time, too hard."

Will God forgive us if we lie and deceive? Will He do wonderful works among us and blessings? If you do like that what will happen to your soul? Let us confess our sins everyday. Give up our false and poor excuses. Come before Him with an honest heart trusting His mercy in Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose again for our forgiveness that we may believe in His name and have eternal life. That God may do wonders among us today and through the New Church Year and forever.

Amen.