Winter weather has set in, but we are still planning on church services Sunday morning, but only get out if you’re comfortable driving and walking in the cold and snow. We’re continuing our journey through the Gospel of Luke with 2:22-52, where we’ll see that even from childhood, Jesus proved to be the Savior-King of the world. We hope to see you there!
Schedule
@945 Small Groups / Sunday School for all ages
@1045 Worship Gathering
**Evening services cancelled
Sermon Notes What Child Is This? ~ Luke 2:22-52
The sermon in one sentence: From childhood, Jesus proved to be the Messiah, calling us to follow, learn from, and find hope in him.
Jesus is the Firstborn, the head of creation; therefore, follow and worship him (2:22-24)
Jesus is salvation for all peoples; therefore, trust in him and share his love (2:25-39)
Jesus is the Great Teacher; therefore, learn from him in order to be more like him (2:40-47)
Jesus is the obedient Son; therefore, find hope in his righteousness (2:48-52)
Songs for Worship Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus The Solid Rock More About Jesus Grace Alone For He Alone Is Worthy
This morning, we’ll continue our journey through the Gospel of Luke by taking a look at 2:1-21 and see how the birth of Jesus meant the dawning of eternal joy for the world. Then this evening, we’ll continue our video study over the book of Judges. We hope to see you there!
Schedule
@945 Small Groups / Sunday School for all ages
@1045 Worship Gathering
@Noon Winter Fellowship and Business Meeting in the Gym
@6pm Judges Video Study in Youth Room
Sermon Notes Joy for the World ~ Luke 2:1-21
The sermon in one sentence: Pursue and share joy because God sent Jesus for your joy and the joy of the world.
The birth of Jesus seemed insignificant on the surface (2:1-8)
Yet, it was the most significant event in human history, the dawning of eternal joy for the world (2:8-21)
Therefore, pursue joy in Jesus and share the joy of Jesus
Songs for Worship This Is the Day How Great Our Joy What Child Is This? Heaven Came Down Ring the Bells of Heaven
After Jesus had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going, thy were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.” – Acts 1:9-11 (Christian Standard Bible)
A once-popular phrase went: You shouldn’t be so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good. On the one hand, that phrase misses the mark. In Colossians 3, Paul wrote that we’re to set our minds on the things above where Christ is. Doing so promotes the most earthly good in how we think about and treat others (3:1-17).
On the other hand, that phrase reminds us to not be like the first disciples in Acts 1.
Jesus had just spent the better part of three years teaching and training them. Then, to their dismay, he was arrested and crucified; but, to their great joy, he had risen from the dead and spent another 40 days appearing to them and teaching them. It was at this point, while with them, that Jesus ascended from earth into the sky.
He had just told them that soon the Holy Spirit would come upon them, and when he did, they were to go in the power of the Spirit and be witnesses about Jesus in all parts of the world.
Once he left their presence by rising upwards, however, the disciples must have stood around awestruck. Perhaps they even lingered a while, mouths agape, as they stared at the sky. It took two men in white (presumably angels) to shake them from the moment. And what was the message?
“You heard what Jesus told you to do, now go do it, don’t just stand there and stare.”
The simple lesson here is that we don’t have to wait for a word from God, a feeling in our gut, a sign of some kind, or the return of Jesus before we go do what he has already told us to do. As followers of Jesus, wherever we live, work, or play, God has given us his Holy Spirit and he has given us a mission–to share the love of Christ with those we encounter. When we fail to live on mission, whatever our excuse, we’re just like those eleven disciples who stared at the sky after Jesus told them what to do. So, where God has spoken, let us obey and let us live on mission without hesitation.
This Sunday we’ll continue our journey through Luke and take a look at the simple, uncluttered faith that Mary and Elizabeth expressed in response to Gabriel’s announcement that Mary would become miraculously pregnant with Jesus. Then on Monday night, we will celebrate Christmas with our annual Christmas Eve service at 6pm. We hope to see you there!
Schedule
@945 Small Groups / Sunday School for all ages
@1045 Worship Gathering
Monday 12/24 @6pm Christmas Eve Service followed by cookies, snacks, and hot chocolate
Sermon Notes The Simple Faith of Christmas ~ Luke 1:26-52
The sermon in one sentence: Trust in and praise God with a simple faith like Mary and Elizabeth
Strive for a simple, uncluttered faith (1:26-45)
“Simple” faith is not immature or basic
Rather, it takes God at his word, asks sincere questions for clarity, sees God as the God of infinite possibilities, and takes joy in the promises of God
With a simple faith, trust in Jesus as the Great, One-and-Only King (1:31-35)
With a simple faith, praise God for who he is and what he has done (1:46-56)
Songs for Worship Angels We Have Heard on high Carols Sing Trusting Jesus In Christ Alone
This Sunday we start a new series, journeying through the Gospel of Luke. We’ll take a look at the promised birth of John the Baptist and see how God works for our joy even in the face of difficulty and doubt. Then on Sunday evening, we’ll have our Living Nativity followed by snacks. We hope to see you there!
Schedule
@945 Small Groups / Sunday School for all ages
@1045 Worship Gathering
@6pm Living Nativity (auditorium) followed by snacks (gym)
Sermon Notes God Is At Work ~ Luke 1:1-25
The sermon in one sentence: Trust that God is at work in your difficult circumstances for your greatest joy.
Luke’s Introduction: Have Certainty (1:1-4)
Trust that God is at work in your difficult circumstances (1:5-13)
Trust that God is at work for you joy (1:14-17)
Trust that God is at work even when you doubt (1:18-25)
Songs for Worship Joy to the World Bless His Holy Name It Came Upon a Midnight Clear He Leadeth Me The Solid Rock
This Sunday we’ll finish our “The Life of…” series by taking a look at the life of Barnabas and how he encouraged others to greater faith through his words and deeds. Then on Sunday evening, we’ll continue our Judges video study. We hope to see you there!
Schedule
@945 Small Groups / Sunday school for all ages
@1045 Worship Gathering
@Noon Widows/Widowers and Singles Dinner hosted by the Deacons
@6pm Judges Bible Study (youth room)
@6pm Children’s Christmas Program Practice (auditorium)
Sermon Notes The Life of Barnabas ~ Various Passages
The sermon in one sentence: Following the example of Barnabas, our love for others should lead us to give them support and hope.
Be an encourager by meeting needs (Acts 4:32-37)
Be an encourager by majoring on the good things Jesus brings to a person’s life (Acts 9:28-31)
Be an encourager by taking the gospel to those who need to hear (Acts 13:2)
Be an encourager by including others in the mission (Acts 13:5)
Be an encourager by offering forgiveness and second chances (Acts 15:36-41)
Songs for Worship The Family of God There’s Something About That Name King of Glory O, Come All Ye Faithful
This morning we’ll continue our “The Life of…” series with a look at the life of Tabitha from Acts 9:36-43, and we’ll see how faith leads to a life of good works. Then tonight at 6pm, we’ll continue our video study of the book of Judges. We hope to see you there!
Schedule
@945 Small Groups / Sunday School for all ages
@1045 Worship Gathering
@6pm Children’s Christmas Program Practice (auditorium)
@6pm Judges Bible Study (youth room)
Sermon Notes Tabitha–A Woman of Good Works ~ Acts 9:36-43
The sermon in one sentence: Following the example of Tabitha, our faith should lead us to love others through good works.
Be a disciple and a saint who trusts in and follows Jesus (9:36, 41)
“Disciple” is about our lifestyle–we learn from and follow Jesus
“Saint” is about our nature–we are made pure and righteous by Jesus
We are disciples and saints through trust in Jesus
Be a disciple and a saint whose life is filled with good works and acts of charity (9:36-43)
Good works are anything you do for another person to help make their life better
Acts of charity are good works that focus specifically on helping the poor and less fortunate
Good works and acts of charity should be a defining part of our lives
