On this fourth Sunday of Advent, our church will celebrate by lighting a candle that symbolizes the love of Christ. While this is a special Sunday celebration, we are privileged to see love in action throughout our community. One example is Sam.

Sam arrived in Italy as an immigrant who survived civil war in his home country. When we first met him in Italian class, our shared vocabulary was limited and conversation was difficult. We quickly learned that love does not always need fluent language. Sam kept showing up and he kept wanting to spend time together.

About a year later, Sam joined us for church. He was met with smiles and hugs, warm coffee, and food prepared with care. He sat beside us, sang along with the music, and during the prayers whispered his own prayers. After worship, he stayed for lunch and said, “If I had known church was like this, I would have come a year ago. I feel like I’m with my family.”

Sam now makes coming to church a priority. We are thankful that Jesus is at work in his life through a community that continues to love him, walk with him, and support him as he looks for work, a new home, and the hope of being reunited with his wife and parents.

This is the love we celebrate during Advent: God’s love made flesh through shared tables, patient presence, and a community that says, “You are not alone.” We are deeply thankful for you, our ministry partners, who make this ministry possible.