The Young Adults ministry recognizes and celebrates the vital role of young adults in the growth and future of the church. Whether you're navigating your 20s or settling into your 30s, single or married, with or without children, this group meets you where you are. This is the place to build lasting relationships with a caring support system. In addition to Sunday School, First Pres offers several mission and fellowship opportunities for adults ages 22-39(ish) throughout the year.

Young Adult Weekly Update (December 22, 2021)

We are just days away from Christmas! As we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior, I hope you’ll join us on Christmas Eve at 4pm, 7pm, and/or 11pm for worship. Childcare will be offered at 7pm.

Please keep the Young Adult Committee in your prayers as we transition with new leadership in 2022. We look forward to having Anna Blanton as the new chair, and Callie Hammett has vice-chair! Thank you to Donna Pulliam for her leadership as the chair this past year! Stay tuned for more details about future opportunities to engage.

*Note*- there will not be a weekly email next week, and there is only one 11am service (no Sunday School) on both December 26th and January 2nd. Hope to see you at Abide again on January 9th!

Merry Christmas,

Leslie

DEVOTION

*Today’s devotional is from Leslie Calicutt, taken from the 2021 First Pres Advent Devotions (in case you're a day behind or missed yesterday!):

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-6

This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”- Matthew 3:3

The message of John the Baptist is just as important today as it was so many years ago. He knew his purpose was to prepare the people for the coming Messiah, and he took this God-given task seriously. John’s message is what we should all be focused on today: repenting of our sins, accepting God’s mercy, and striving to live a more virtuous life each day. It sounds simple but in a fast-moving world, it is anything but.

In fact, John’s message may be even more important today as our lives have only gotten busier. Many are trying to juggle family, work, and multiple other things. Sadly, one’s spiritual life can take a back seat. When there are deadlines to meet, endless meetings, and children to care for, it can be easy to leave time with God out of the schedule.

Are you prepared for the Messiah’s return? How can you fit time into your busy day to make sure you are preparing yourself daily? Could you focus on Christ while you drink your morning coffee? Could you fit time in after you put the kids to bed? What about spending a little less time on social media? In order to be prepared, we have to plan. Spend some time this week thinking about how you can better plan for the coming of the Messiah.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, help me eliminate the things in my life that serve as an unnecessary distraction from you and help me find more time in my schedule to focus on you. Create a pure heart within me. Help me show your love to all those around me. Thank you for all the many blessings in my life. Amen.