An End of 2015 Letter from Pastor Rob Paris
Advent Denver
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we come to the end of 2015 and prepare for the birth of Christ, I want to write to thank you for another great year at Church of the Advent!
We have welcomed a wonderful new people to Advent. Every year I am so amazed at the quality of people God sends our way, and this year was exceptionally blessed.
Of course, we said good bye to many wonderful people as well, including Ken and Sarah, but we have continued to move forward and I see signs that we have grown in our sense of ownership and focus as a congregation.
We have five wonderful small groups and a multitude of relational connections that are weaving us together as Christ's Body and spurring us on towards love and good deeds.
We have begun to raise funds for a new building, and have raised $182,000 towards our goal of a $250,000 down payment. We raised over $29,000 since the end of October and as a result, the $25,000 matching goal has been met!! Thank you to all of you who have given. We still have $68,000 to raise in order to hit our $250,000 down payment goal. God is faithful!
With so much to be thankful for in 2015, I am really looking forward to 2016!
We hope to make substantial progress on our building fund and property search in the coming months. Cannot wait to see what space God will lead us to!
We look to have a new ministry to refugees forming in the coming months, as Jennie Ridley has brought together a group of folks who are eager to take this to a new level in the congregation. Very exciting!
We will continue to do the great work we have begun in Baker and beyond through our connection with Hirschfeld, the Women's Homeless Initiative, potlucks in the park and so on.
We will continue to offer relational discipleship opportunities for all, now with an new and improved curriculum that I am very excited about.
All that to say, we have much to give thanks for and to look forward to as we end 2015.
May you enjoy a very blessed and encouraging Christmas as you reflect upon the gift of Immanuel!
God's Peace,
Rob