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About80per- cent of the two billion+ Chris- tians in our world observe the four weeks before Christmas as a season called Ad- vent. The sea- son for 2014 be- gan last Sunday and the word itself means beginning — much like Genesis. It is a solemn season in which caring for the poor and lonely are stressed and read- ings from Scripture fo- cus on John the Baptist. John breaks into history sometime before the Lord goes public. His story is presented — especially in Mark — as part of the seamless garment of the Gospel of abundant life in the Kingdom of God. Mark begins with, "The beginning of the Gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God." The next two verses quote Isaiah saying God will send a messenger ahead of Messiah who will — in effect — prepare His way like paving a highway in the desert for the com- ing of the King. (Citizens in ancient times paved a new highway when their king approached.) The next verse depicts John preaching a baptism of re- pentance. It cannot be plainer than it is. Repentance is turning about to face in a new direction. For those who already know the Lord it is about re-focus of our attention on the One we once adored; for oth- ers it is about gaining that focus for the first time. Other Gospels share the things John calls his lis- teners to do — as the nec- essary demonstration of that re-focus — forgiv- ing each other; feeding the hungry and clothing the naked; carrying oth- ers' burdens an extra mile. But Jesus Himself makes it clear that repentance is itself the beginning of the Good News — the privilege of repentance — when He makes His first public statement. "Repent," He says, "for the Kingdom of God is near." The Greek we translate as "near" actually means "in pursuit." The Kingdom and its King are pursuing us; the privilege of repentance is the privi- lege of turning to be cap- tured by Him. As a Christian steeped in the recurring seasons of the Church year I used to correct my evangelical brethren when they cele- brated the Christmas sea- son throughout Decem- ber and let it die on New Year's Day. "No," I would say. Advent is December — the time of preparation — and Christmas-the-sea- son begins on Christmas and runs through Epiph- any on January 6. But in light of John's announce- ment of the privilege of re- pentance my friends seem onto something. On the other hand, there is a lot to be said about the traditional view of Advent as a time of vis- ible repentance-prepara- tion — visible in the sense that we find ourselves do- ing good works perhaps neglected earlier in the year as — in this season — Lord creates a heart of flesh in what has been a heart of stone. This is what the Baptist said. The idea is that throw- ing a few coins — or even bills — in the Salvation Army kettle is a good thing; calling friends, rel- atives, and even a needy family our church spon- sors is as good or better. But these things can be done as add-ons, without a change of heart. When we take seriously the no- tion of a time or season for re-focus on God we begin to worship Him in times and places new to us. He sends our hearts in directions of caring we had not thought of on our own. We find ourselves caring more lavishly, and more as a result of His re- shaping our hearts. The horse retakes its rightful place in front of the cart and we are on more than a moment of generosity; we are on a journey of be- coming the persons we are called to be and every- one we come across bene- fits as we do. This is not some spiri- tual sleight of hand as op- posed to a pragmatic seek- ing of peace and plenty for those who have little of ei- ther. It is a simple recogni- tion that the One who cre- ates, redeems, and resur- rects our humanity wants and understands authen- tic peace and plenty bet- ter than we do. In the wil- derness temptation epi- sode Jesus is tempted to feed the hungry, secure His authority, and right the world's wrongs out- side relationship to His Fa- ther. He knows such an ap- proach never ends well. His idea is identical to the traditional sense of the Advent season — a time of seeking relationship with God and expecting the abundant-life-fruit-for-all- concerned to follow the seeking. Even an Old Testa- ment grouch like Jeremiah (29:12-14) knows that when we seek Him we cannot fail to find Him. What if readers of this blog dedi- cated the weeks preceding Christmas to that radical seeking? In this world, as it is today, what have we got to lose? JamesA.Wilsonistheau- thor of Living As Ambas- sadors of Relationships and The Holy Spirit and the End Times — available at local bookstores or by e- mailing him at praynorth- state@charter.net. GODTALK TimeforaresurrectedAdvent Jim Wilson Pastor Dallas Dubke ex- tends a warm welcome to all to come join the congre- gations of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Mt. Olive Lu- theran Church in worship and celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Je- sus Christ. An Advent service will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday evenings during December, leading up to Christmas. The services at St. Paul will be held on Dec. 10 and 17 at the corner of Jeffer- son and Elm streets in Red Bluff. The last Advent service, on Christmas Eve, will be held at 7 p.m. at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church at 341 So- lano St. in Corning. There will also be a celebration of Christ through carols and candles at 11 p.m. at St. Paul. Christmas Day service at Mt. Olive, in Corning, will be at 8:30 a.m. Christmas Day Services at St. Paul will be at 10:30 a.m. Imagine yourself stand- ing with the shepherds, along with Moses and David, and looking up at the skies and seeing that bright star and the an- gels who announced the birth of the wee babe in the manger who is Christ the King. LUTHERAN CHURCH Upcoming services of the Christmas season By Nicole Winfield The Associated Press VATICANCITY Pope Francis urged the Catholic Church's top theologians on Friday to listen to what ordinary Catholics have to say and pay attention to the "signs of the times," rather than just making pronounce- ments in an academic vac- uum. Francis, whose near- disdain for theologians is well-known, told the Inter- national Theological Com- mission that they must "humbly listen" to what God tells the church by un- derstanding Scripture but also by taking into account how ordinary Catholics live out their faith. "Together with all Christians, theolo- gians must open their eyes and ears to the signs of the times," Francis said. Made up of leading theo- logians from around the world, the commission is a permanent advisory body to the Vatican's theologi- cal and orthodoxy watch- dog, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Both are headed by Cardi- nal Gerhard Mueller, a con- servative German theolo- gian appointed by the theo- logian pope, Benedict XVI. The congregation is known for disciplining Catholic theologians whose writings or teachings stray from church doctrine. It has been criticized for issuing these notifications without consulting the academics or giving them a chance to de- fend their work. Francis has frequently complained that theolo- gians are holding back the church in its mission to evangelize and work with other Christian communi- ties. Just this past week- end, returning from Tur- key, Francis spoke about the need for the Catholic and Orthodox churches to walk together on the path of unity. "What are we wait- ing for? For the theologians to reach agreement? That day will never come, I as- sure you," Francis said. "I'm skeptical." Francis has instead spo- ken frequently about what he calls "theology on its knees" — a more merciful type of theology that isn't focused so much on rules and regulations. WORLD Pope to theologians: Listen to ordinary faithful L'OSSERVATOREROMANO Pope Francis listens to Father Raniero Cantalamessa delivering his Advent homily at the Vatican on Friday. TehamaCountyChurchDirectory RedBluff.... ABUNDANTLIFEFELLOWSHIP 21080LutherRd.•528-2499 Pastor J.E. Heitman • WORSHIP Sunday 11AM & 6PM ANTELOPE HOME FELLOWSHIP(SBC) Berrendos School 401 Chestnut St • 200-4112 • Pastor John Bohrer • WORSHIP • Sun. 10:30AM APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY 1321 Nelson Dr. • 527-8541 Pastor Rudy Cepeda • WORSHIP • Sunday 1:00PM & Friday 7PM BETHEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD 625 Luther Rd. • 527-0445 Pastor David Blythe • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM CALVARY CHAPEL 12375 Paskenta Rd. • 527-8219 Pastor Gilbert DeLao Jr. • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:00 & 11:00 am CHURCH OF CHRIST 1605 Park Ave • 529-3063 • Evangelist Gary Den WORSHIP • Sun. 11AM & 6:30 PM • Bible Study • Sunday 10AM & Wed 7PM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Antelope 545 Berrendos • 529-2506 • Bishop Phillip Smith • Sunday 11AM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Red Bluff 545 Berrendos • 527-7012 • Bishop Jim Wilhite • Sunday 9:00AM CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS 857 Washington St., Open Daily 9-11am Pastors Brad & Susan Harms•WORSHIP•Sunday 2PM•Bible Study Thur 2-4pm COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 598 Round -Up Ave. 527-4203 Pastor Dr. Paul Wright • WORSHIP • Sunday 9AM • PRAYER • 6PM CORNERSTONE CHURCH OF GOD Hwy. 36, Jorgenson 527-9210 • Pastor Roy Duggins • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM & 5PM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 501 Pine St. • 527-4361 Pastor Bruce Cloutier • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15AM FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH Hickory & Madison • 527-4688 Pastor Dan Woolery • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM FIRST CHURCH OF GOD Jackson & Luther • 527-5717 Pastor Rod Thompson • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15AM FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Johnson & Hickory • 527-3361 Pastor Jesse Morris • WO RSHIP • 10:30 AM FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH 585 Kimball Rd. • 527-5083 Don St. John • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 525 David Ave. • 527-5754 Pastor Nancy Pharis-Cure • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM FREEDOM CHURCH 601 Monroe St. • 355-2284 • Pastors Pete & Bev Williams • WORSHIP Sunday 10:30AM • YOUTH Thurs. 7PM GATEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH, IND. FUND. 12830 Glasgow Dr. 527-2964 • Pastor Jeff Eldred • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM & 6PM GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RED BLUFF 22630 Antelope Blvd. 530-727-7344 • Pastor Carl Miller • WORSHIP • Sun. 11:00AM • Antelope School LAKE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHURCH Lake Club • 347 6970 Jim Bredow, Pastor • WORSHIP • Sunday 8:30-10:15AM NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH 1625 Johnson St. • 527-8134 SERVICE • 10:00AM NEW HOPE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 645 Antelope Blvd, Suite 13 528-0642 • Pastor Christopher Church • WORSHIP • Sun.10AM • Youth, Thurs. 6 PM NORTH VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH (Ind.) 345 David Ave • 527-0543 Pastor Scott Camp • Sunday 11:00AM • northvalleyredbluff.com NUEVA VIDA 11841 Hyw 99W • Red Bluff • Spanish-speaking Pastor Freddie Villasenor • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM OPEN VISTAS AWARENESS CENTER 900 Walnut St. • 529-9285 Rv. Tresha Wing • SERVICE • Sunday 10:00AM OUT OF THE BOX MINISTRIES-COWBOY CHURCH 585-3070 22812 Antelope Blvd. –– Wednesday 7:00PM –– Sunday 10:00AM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Jefferson & Hickory St. • 527-0372 Rev. Beth Hoyt • 11:00AM Worship • 9:30AM Sunday School PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD 370 Kimball Rd. • 527-6346 Pastor Mike Cox • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM RED BLUFF COMMUNITY CHURCH 1920 Park St. Pastor Stan Kolbert • SERVICES • Sunday 9:30AM • 282-2248 SABBATH COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN 705 So. Jackson St. • 529-1890 Pastor Ron Largent • WORSHIP • Saturday 10:45AM SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH 515 Main St. • Father Sherwin Colaste MASS • Saturday 5:15, Spanish 7PM • Sun. 8:30AM, 10:30AM, Spanish 12PM THE SALVATION ARMY 944 Walnut St. • 527-8530 Major Kit Wetter, Pastor • SERVICES • Sunday 10AM & 11AM SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRUCH 720 S. Jackson • 527-3733 Pastor Robert A. Clark • WORSHIP • Saturday 10:30AM ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH Jefferson & Elm • 527-3414 Pastor Dallas D. Dubke • WORSHIP • Sunday 8:30AM & 11AM ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Jefferson & Elm • 527-5205 Rev. Maryly Adair • Sunday 9:30AM, Holy Eucharist Rite II SUNRISE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP GARBC Corner of Cedar & Jackson 529-6884 • Pastor Chris Hurton • WORSHIP • 10:50AM • Bible Study 9:30AM TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL 8529 Placer Rd., Redding 243-5726 • For service dates & times • 529-9246 TRINITY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 20920 Hampton Rhodes Dr. 528-8668•Pastor Loren Browning • WORSHIP • Sun. 10:45AM - Wed. 7PM THE ROCK CHURCH OF RED BLUFF 285 Gilmore Road • 527-7234 Pastor Vik Hylen•WORSHIP • Sun. 10AM & 6:30PM - Wed. 7:30PM - Mens Prayer Sat. 9AM VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 738 Walnut St. • 527-2449 Pastor Steve Igarta • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM WALNUT GROVE CHRISTIAN CENTER RHEMA Bible Church • 527-9065 435 Round Up Ave.• Pastor Michael Ragsdale • WORSHIP • Sun. 10:30AM ZION CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES 836 Washington St. 529-1836 • Pastor Joshua John McKim • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15AM Bowman... COMMUNITY CHURCH Bowman Rd. & Landes • 347-6130 Pastor Mark Lugg • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM Corning... BELIEVERS CHURCH OF GOD 783 Solano St. • 824-6502 Pastor Dan Steigmn • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:00AM CHURCH OF CHRIST 1418 South St. • 824-3603 WORSHIP • Sunday • 10:30AM CHURCH OF CHRIST 1440 Yolo St. • 824-4333 David King, Minister • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM & 6PM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Marguerite & Blackburn • Bishop Scott Davis • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM CORNING FOURSQUARE 404 5 th St. • 824-5776 • Sr. Pastor John Gehrung WORSHIP • Sunday: adults 9:15, 10:30 AM • Tues.10AM prayer meeting FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH Marin & Pear Sts. • 824-0989 Pastor Joycel • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:45AM & 6PM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 506 Colusa St. • 824-3490 Pastor Chris Fissori • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15AM • Sunday School 9AM FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 1421 Marin St. • 824-5739 WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 824-5535 • 471 Marguerite Pastor Julie Horne • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM GOOD NEWS LIGHTHOUSE 1520 East St. • Pastor Ben Rorie WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM • Bible Study 10AM • 824-0175 , Cell 701-9292 HARVEST CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH OF GOD 1006 6th St. 824-2091 • Pastor Michael Sharp • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:00AM IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH 824-5879 814 Solano St. • Father Juan Manuel Ponce • MASS • Sun. 10AM, Spanish 12PM MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH 341 Solano St. • 824-5530 Pastor Dallas D. Dubke • WORSHIP • Sunday 9AM NEIGHBORHOOD FULL GOSPEL CHURCH 901 South St. • 824-2323 Pastor Ken Killinger • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:50AM & 6PM NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY CHURCH 824-3426 • Pastor J.R. Gonzales WORSHIP • Sunday 10:00AM - Sunday School 9AM OLIVE BRANCH BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP 565 1st St. • 824-3661 • SERVICE • Sunday 10:30 AM SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH West & Butte • 824-2153 Pastor Robert A. Clark • WORSHIP • Saturday 11AM SONLIGHT WORSHIP CENTER 1520 East St. • 824-0175 Pastor Lenny Duval • WORHSHIP • Sunday 1:30 AM ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 820 Marin St. • 680-0353 Rev. Diana Lueckert • CHURCH • Sunday 10AM Capay... COMMUNITY FRIENDS CHURCH • 4th & Moller Ave. • 865-2806 Pastor Toni Brown • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:30AM Cottonwood... FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2400 Rhonda Rd. Rev. Paul Shrum • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM Dairyville... CONE COMMUNITY METHODIST CHURCH 11220 Hwy. 99E • 527-2329 Coordinating Pastor Nancy Pharis-Cure • Clay M Pastor Chris Bauer • WORSHIP • Sun. 9AM El Camino... COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Hwy. 99W • 385-2314 Pastor Nancy Pharis-Cure • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:30AM SHADY REST FULL GOSPEL CHURCH 7211 Hwy. 99W 385-2155 • Pastor Andrew Dalson • WORSHIP • Saturday 7PM Gerber... BAHA'I FAITH OF TEHAMA COUNTY 385-1091 Prayer meetings Fridays 7:30PM Brickyard Creek Apartments FAITH HOPE LOVE MINISTRIES 21941 Chard Ave. 385-1431 • Pastor Ina Driggers • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM GERBER BIBLE FELLOWSHIP 301 Samson @ Ventura 385-1718 • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM Los Molinos.... COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Sherwood & Josephine • 384-2656 Coordinating Pastor Nancy Pharis-Curie•CLayM Pastor Ray Watkins • WORSHIP 11AM MILL CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH HWY 99E and Taft St., 384-1564 Pastor Carl DeBiase • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM & 6PM SPIRIT OF LIFE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD 25235 Orange St., 310-4990 Rev. Kenneth & Pamela Auld • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM Manton... MANTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Forward Rd. • 474-5156 Pastor Michael Stiener•WORSHIP•Sunday School 9:30 Sun. 10:45 Paskenta... PASKENTA FLOURNOY BIBLE CHURCH 13140 Round Valley Rd. Sunday 10:30AM • 833-0557 Platina... ST. HERMAN OF ALASKA MONASTERY Begum Gorge Rd. Abbot Herman • LITURGY • Sunday 8:30AM Rancho Tehama... COMMUNITY CHURCH (Non-Den.) • 585-2526 WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRIES Stage Coach Rd. • 585-2961 Rev. Richard & Della Tucker • SERVICES • Sun. 10:30AM, Wed. 6PM Tehama... ASSEMBLY OF GOD Third St. • 384-2603 Pastor Walter Bright • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM ST. STANISLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH • 824-5879 Corner of 4th & D • MASS • Sunday 8:00AM - English Vina... VINA COMMUNITY CHURCH 5th & D Street • 839-2340 • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM HOYT-COLE CHAPEL OF THE FLOWERS 816WalnutSt.-RedBluff FD 652 Thisdirectorysponsoredby: TEHAMA ESTATES A Retirement Community for the Active Senior Citizens 750 David Ave. - Red Bluff - 527-9193 Your Ad Could Be Here Call Daleen at 527-2151 ext.101 Hospice Gift and Thrift Store Thank you for ongoing support – M.-F. 9-5 • Sat. 10-4 Riverside Plaza Main Street 530.528.9430 FAITH » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, December 6, 2014 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B4