Arbor Church

In Luke 2:8–20, the first people invited into the Christmas story aren’t the powerful—they’re the overlooked. This week we explore how Advent joy breaks into ordinary darkness, and how making room for Jesus reshapes the way we see ourselves (and the people we tend to miss).

Because there was no room in the inn – Luke 2:7b In week two of Advent, Pastor Ryan reexamines the “no room in the inn” moment in Luke 2 and shows how the first Christmas was less about rejection and more about rearranging a crowded house to make space for Jesus and the strangers he brings to our door.

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you!” – Luke 1 Advent hope is born when ordinary people make room, in the dark, for the king who has already stepped in.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. – Proverbs 3:5 Guest speaker Garrett Shelp wraps our series on wisdom with a message about how our need for certainty and control can lead us astray, and what it takes to release these things so we can lead a life of wisdom.

To learn wisdom and moral instruction, and to discern wise counsel. To receive moral instruction in skillful living, in righteousness, justice, and equity. – Proverbs 1:2-3 This week, one of the themes of Proverbs we don’t talk about as often: love in action, expressed in justice.

Remove falsehood and lies far from me; do not give me poverty or riches, feed me with my allotted portion of bread. – Proverbs 30:18 Money isn’t a popular topic in the church, but it’s popular in Proverbs; a huge number of verses in this book of wisdom have to do with money. This week, Ryan helps us make sense of them by focusing on a prayer for financial wisdom and peace found in Proverbs 30.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. – Childhood saying (not true) There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. – Proverbs (12:18) (true) This week, we look at the wisdom Proverbs has to offer on words – and how to use them wisely.

When the loudest voice sounds wise but leads to dead ends, Scripture shows a better way: humble hearts that listen, learn, and live.

In a world that’s “always on” yet strangely lonely, Proverbs shows us how wise friendships shape who we’re becoming—and why that can’t happen in isolation.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline. – Proverbs 1:7 What does The Fear of the Lord really mean? Pastor Ryan helps us see how awe, not anxiety, is the foundation of wise living.