We are so glad that you joined us today at North Main Street Church of God. At North Main, we exist to develop completely committed followers of Christ who...

Know Christ intimately,

Grow in Christ continually, and

Go for Christ daily

CONNECTION LUNCHEON
Join us after service NEXT WEEK for our Connection Luncheon! Anyone new to North Main eats for free so make sure to invite your friends! Cost: $6/adult $4/child and a max of $20/household. ON THE MENU: Ham, Potatoes, Vegetable, Coleslaw, and Pie.


POINSETTIAS
Poinsettias may be ordered anytime through Sunday, December 7th. Pick up a paper order form at the Welcome Center or purchase them online northmaincog.org/events.


CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
Our Christmas Eve services will be identical candlelight services held at 4pm and 7pm on December 24th. There will be childcare available for children 3 and under in our Nursery & Toddler space downstairs.

Hope
2025 Theme: Faithfulness
Series Title: The Unexpected Messiah
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
November 30th, 2025

Something to think about:

HOPE, noun [Latin cupio.]
1. A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope, therefore, always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied by pain and anxiety.[1]

It’s been said that when you lose hope, you lose everything. And in a great sense, this is true. Hope is what drives people forward, with the expectation that things will improve over time. Hopelessness sets in, however, when there is no expectation that things will get better.

As we come into a new Advent season, we come into a season of hope. Advent is a time of reflecting on the birth of Christ, and thus, the reason for the joy we have. In Jesus, there is new life and the hope of a future not marked by sin and death. In Christ, there is salvation, renewal, regeneration, and the expectation that things will get better.

Let us reflect once again on the birth of Christ. We do so with the expectation that this unexpected Messiah will once again bring light and hope into our world just as He did for that first unsuspecting couple: Mary and Joseph. As we look once again at the birth of Jesus, we begin today with a story of hope as illustrated in Matthew’s Gospel in the story of Joseph…


[1]“Websters Dictionary 1828 - Webster’s Dictionary 1828 - Hope.” n.d. Websters Dictionary 1828. https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/hope.

Key Point: “Hope is the sustaining virtue that strengthens us when our backs are against the wall.”

What can we learn about hope from this passage? Let’s take a closer look:

1. With hope, Mary ______________ that GOD would work things out with ______________.

Luke 1:38 (NLT), Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

2. With hope, Joseph ______________ the angel’s message of Jesus’ divine birth through the power of the ______________.

Matthew 1:24 (NLT), When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

3. With hope, Mary and Joseph had ______________ that GOD would fulfill His promises through ______________.

Matthew 1:20-21 (NLT), 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Luke 1:34-35 (NLT), 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.

Something to take home:

Orville and Wilbur Wright were excited. On December 17, 1903, they had finally succeeded in keeping their homemade airplane in the air for 59 seconds. Immediately, they rushed a telegram to their sister in Dayton, Ohio, telling of this great accomplishment. The telegram read, “First sustained flight today, fifty-nine seconds. Hope to be home by Christmas.” Upon receiving the news, the sister was so excited about the success that she rushed to the newspaper office and gave the telegram to the editor. The next morning, the newspaper headline read, “Popular Local Bicycle Merchants To Be Home For Holidays.”

One of the greatest stories of the twentieth century was missed because an editor missed the point. Let us not miss the point this Christmas season. Let’s remember why we gather and celebrate. Let’s remember the reason for the hope we have. Let’s not give up the good fight of faith and remember, like Mary and Joseph, that…

Key Point: “Hope is the sustaining virtue that strengthens us when our backs are against the wall.”

With hope, Joseph believed the angel’s message of Jesus’ divine birth through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Read Luke 1:38. What is Mary’s response to the angel? How did this show that she trusted GOD with the outcome?What do you think was going through Mary’s mind concerning Joseph? Or do you think she was thinking about him at all?How do you think you would have responded if you had been in Mary’s situation? Would you have trusted that GOD would work things out with your betrothed?


With hope, Joseph believed the angel’s message of Jesus’ divine birth through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Read again, Matthew 1:24. After Joseph awoke from the dream, it says that he did as the LORD commanded. What kind of trust must Joseph have had to unquestioningly do as he was commanded and take Mary as his wife?Put yourself in Joseph’s position and consider what you would have done under the same circumstances. Would you have had the same kind of unwavering commitment to obey what GOD commanded of you? Why or why not?


With hope, Mary and Joseph hadfaith that GOD would fulfill His promises through them.

Mary and Joseph took a huge risk to follow the calling of GOD on their lives.What kind of faith must they have had to take such a risk for GOD?What kind of faith is GOD calling us to today?

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday
9:00am - 4:00pm

Closed 11/27-12/1 and will reopen 12/2.