Faith@First - December 13, 2024 | Faith@First

Faith@First - December 13, 2024

Posted by Rev. Brittney Stephan on December 13, 2024

This week, as we light the pink candle on the Advent wreath, we reflect on Joy. It’s a joy that is deep, unshakable, and rooted in God’s promises. Advent reminds us that joy isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we embrace now, even amidst life’s challenges.

This past week, our Noblesville First family experienced the beauty of joy in action. On Sunday, we welcomed over 1,000 guests to Cocoa with Comet, an event brimming with laughter and wonder. Families sipped cocoa, wrote letters to Santa, and shared the joy of meeting a real-life reindeer!

Another moment to treasure was the United Women in Faith’s Christmas Tea. The gathering was filled with music, delicious food, and fellowship as we celebrated the joy found in friendships and the power of community during this holy season.

If you are looking for another opportunity to experience the joy of this season, you won’t want to miss our Christmas Festival of Music this Sunday afternoon! Whether you're looking to reflect, rejoice, or simply soak in the sounds of the season, this event promises a powerful reminder of the peace we all long for.

As we continue through Advent, may these glimpses of joy inspire us to seek and spread it wherever we go and ask ourselves, where have we seen or experienced the joy of Christ in our lives lately? Whether in a child’s laughter, a warm conversation, or the radiant light of the Christ child, may this Advent remind us that joy can’t wait—it is needed in the here and now.

Keep the Faith@First,

Pastor Brittney

About the Author

Rev. Brittney Stephan

The Indiana UMC Conference Cabinet and Bishop Julius Trimble have appointed a new associate pastor for Noblesville First. Rev. Brittney Stephan is an Indiana native and was called to ministry at 14 years of age while attending church camp at Epworth Forest. She is an ordained Elder in the Indiana Conference who currently serves in extension ministry as the Associate Director for Multi-Cultural Vibrancy for the Michigan Conference. She has received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Organizational Communication, and Peace & Conflict Studies from Butler University and a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary with a concentration in Liturgy & Music Across Cultures.

A third-generation Methodist, Brittney grew up on a dirt road outside of Huntington, Indiana. She has spent the last decade living in Indianapolis, Chicago, and currently Metro Detroit working in a variety of contexts for The United Methodist Church. Much of her work in the Michigan Conference has consisted of engaging individuals and teams alike to build our cultural proficiency in a way that moves us toward an anti-biased/anti-racist identity that seeks to diversify worship experiences and leadership as a collective whole. Previously, Brittney has served on staff at Huntington Evangelical UMC (Huntington, IN), Sherman UMC (Evanston, IL), Libertyville First UMC (Libertyville, IL), and Meridian Street UMC (Indianapolis, IN). She is passionate about equipping, engaging, and empowering local congregations to foster equitable communities of learning and discipleship.

She has spent time in Zimbabwe at Africa University, initiated a campus ministry at Butler University, and served as a youth leader for a number of years. Brittney’s leadership extends beyond the local church through her involvement in the launch of the new Junius B. Dotson Institute for Music & Worship in the Black Church & Beyond, serving on the Convocation Design Team for The Fellowship of Worship Artists, and on the advisory board with the Center for Congregational Song.

Brittney was hoping for the opportunity to serve in her native Indiana and is overjoyed to join the Noblesville First team beginning July 5 and begin sharing her gifts in family ministries and digital ministry engagement.