MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE, EVERYONE!
Today we will all gather for Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 6 pm in the sanctuary. Everyone is invited to this service of Scripture, Christmas hymns/carols, a message from God's word, and singing "Silent Night" with our candles in hand. The pastoral staff is hosting this service so that everyone else can relax and enjoy attending. The service will be less than one hour in length. The nursery will be available but not staffed, as will the cry room for those needing them. I hope to see you there! THE LORD'S DAY (12/25): Christmas is on the Lord's Day this year, something that happened in 2005, 2011, and 2016, and it will happen next in 2027. The last time Christmas was on a Sunday was my first Christmas with you all as pastor. This will be my seventh Christmas as your pastor, and it fills me with joy to be laboring in the Gospel with you! With that said, we won't be gathering tomorrow because of Christmas, but because it is the Lord's Day. The regular rhythm of the Christian life is punctuated by the weekly gathering of the local body of Christ for corporate worship and fellowship. So spend time with your family, then come worship the Lord with the Lord's people in the Lord's house on the Lord's Day. If you are traveling or out of town, find a local gathering of faithful believers to fellowship with on the Lord's Day. You will be glad you did!
Scriptures for Sunday. Here are the Scriptures we will be reading that will shape our corporate worship. Take a few moments to read and meditate on them as you prepare for worship tomorrow. Click anywhere on the link to see a printable version of these passages on biblegateway
Answer: One day in seven should be especially devoted to corporate worship and other spiritual exercises that restore the soul’s rest in God and zeal for His name. It should provide physical refreshment and fit one for a week of devoted service to Christ. Scripture: Leviticus 23:3; Isaiah 58:13, 14; Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 2:27; Romans 14:5-6. Question 67: What is forbidden in the fourth commandment? Answer: The fourth commandment forbids dishonoring the Lord’s Day by actions or thoughts that divert the soul from spiritual refreshment, or deprive the body of renewed energy or distract the mind from its special Sabbath focus on the Lord. Scripture: Ezekiel 22:26; 23:38; Jeremiah 17:21; Nehemiah 13:15, 17; Acts 20:7; Mark 2:23-28; Romans 14:5-6. Question 68: What are the reasons attached to the fourth commandment?Answer: The reasons attached to the fourth commandment are, God’s creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh and his blessing the Sabbath day. Scripture: Exodus 20:9-11; 31:16, 17; Genesis 2:2, 3. MONDAY (12/26)
WEDNESDAY (12/28)
MEN'S DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS HAVE RESUMED! Wednesday 10 am; Thursday 7 pm; and one more TBA. We will be doing Fred Parry's study "Walking With Ephesians." Books are $13 and are available in the narthex beginning tomorrow. Make checks out to FBC with "men's study" in the memo line, or with cash in an envelope marked "men's study." You may also purchase the study guide for Kindle by visiting Amazon. INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS GIVING
ICYMI: Last Sunday's sermon audio on Luke 17:20-37 "The Kingdom: Already and Not Yet" Other previous messages are archived here. Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video. FIGHTER VERSE: Our Fighter Verse this week is Revelation 5:12-13 “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” READ THROUGH THE BIBLE The Five-Day Bible Reading Plan is attached to this e-mail for your convenience. You may want to access additional resources to support your reading available at this website. If you visit that link you will see that the new reading plan will be available on December 26. I will link to that resource and send it out as soon as it is available. As I mentioned in last week's update, I want to encourage you to read the Bible daily this year. Many methods are available to accomplish this goal. Here is a link to Nathan Bingham's article last year on 2022 Bible Reading Plans, most of which are undated so they will work just fine in 2023. See you in church! Grace and peace, Pastor Greg
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