#forParis Podcast The Paris Presbyterian Church Canada

Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by an unexpected gift? The kind that leaves you utterly amazed and creates lasting memories? Such treasures are not easily forgotten. This Christmas Eve, Joel will contemplate the profound significance of Jesus's birth as the ultimate gift—God's divine presence with us. And how in Jesus we receive an unexpected gift, one that can transform your life when received.

Throughout this series, we've delved into the profound gift of God's presence during Christmas—a gift that brings hope in moments of anticipation and peace during times of struggle. Yet, amidst the joy of receiving this precious gift, have you pondered what our responses should be to the profound reality of Jesus with us? In this week's teaching, Joel will share a response that can be a struggle, but does have the power not only to impact those around us but also to cultivate a deepening of our own faith.

Is it possible to discover peace amid life's trials? Christmas serves as a poignant reminder that "God is with us," but can this profound connection be felt in the midst of personal challenges and pain? Drawing from the prophetic words of Micah and the transformative promises of Jesus, we aim to challenge the traditional belief that peace is attainable only in the absence of difficulties. Join us as we explore the profound notion that cultivating a childlike faith is not just a first but a crucial step toward experiencing enduring peace, even in the midst of life's struggles.

Have you ever found yourself in the quiet moments, waiting on God? It's during those times when His response seems elusive, leaving you to ponder, 'God, are you there? Do you truly care?' Waiting can evoke a spectrum of emotions—worry, frustration, and perhaps even anger. However, waiting is an unavoidable part of life. But here's the twist—how can we transform waiting into a gift in disguise? How can we navigate the waiting period with grace and wisdom? Join us this week as we explore the art of waiting.

Join us this week as Joel kicks off our Advent series, 'Unwrapping Presence - Encountering God @ Christmas’. He'll delve into a significant barrier/misunderstanding that commonly hinders us from truly embracing the presence of God. He'll also share a practical approach to refocusing our attention, creating a greater awareness of God in our daily lives. We hope you will join us and that you extend an invitation to others, as together, we unwrap the profound joy of this Christmas season.

Jesus makes and fulfills many promises to us in Scripture. A big one is the promise of a place for us in his Father's house. But often, try as we might, we live as though we aren't sure how to get there. Jesus promises a place, but does he bother to give us the address or directions? Join this week as we explore how Jesus not only gives us a destination, but also promises to help us get there. John 14:1-6