Sunday School: 9:30 AM
Worship Service: 10:30 AM
Shepherding Groups, Wednesdays
Women’s Bible Study: Thursdays, 10:00 AM
Men’s Saturday Breakfast: 7:00 AM
Jail Visits: Saturday 9:00 – 11:00 AM (postponed)
CHURCH BOARD MEETING, TOMORROW, AT OUR CHURCH, 3:30
Work continues on the WMCAH site. We're remodeling the existing house, hooking up utilities, getting the tiny houses approved and developing the plot plan. A presentation letter has been prepared, and a brochure is being written to present the project in local churches and businesses. Ask Roger or Lee for a copy. Your continued support and prayers are welcome. Thanks.
Thank you for participating in the Fast. We are amazed and humbled, having raised $47,086.13!!! This means that all the schools, including private and charter, day care, VFW, service organizations and helping organizations, like Salvation Army, received twice as much funding as last year.
Advent means "the appearing." It's the season of preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus in the manger at Bethlehem. We remember the four Sundays before Christmas with an Advent wreath and five candles. The Advent wreath originated from an 1839 initiative by Johann Himrich Wichern, a Protestant Pastor in Germany. There are three violet candles for hope, faith and peace, and there's one pink candle for joy. The white candle in the middle is the "Jesus" candle. The wreath represents the crown of our Christ, and the evergreen is everlasting life.
We're happy to receive our new deacons: Roger Brown and Lanny Dameron, who have been appointed by our Church Board to service. Remember them in your prayers as they lend their help to our congregation.
It's time that we start working on our church budget for 2021. Your input is appreciated. We want the Lord's work through our congregation to advance according to His will. Our church is not a business; it is a ministry. This means that through prayer, body life and service we discern where the resources given to us go.
Christmas
It's Christmas time again, and we're happily looking forward to this "wonderful time of year." Yes, there's all the lights, and decorations, and gifts, and foods, and celebrations that lift our spirits. But, this year, there's also the virus and a crazy election hanging over us.
We remember the old adage that "if life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Easier said than done; however, we're learning again to "give thanks to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor.15.57). In thanksgiving we bring light to the darkness and preserve our joy.
Remember the angel's proclamation: "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the peoples; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2.10,11). This good news pierces the darkness and overcomes the gloom.
The devil wants to rob us of our joy; he wants to ruin this wonderful time of year for us. Nevertheless, "...we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed..." (2 Cor.4.8,9). Why? Because of the coming of the Son of God, who "takes away the sin of the world" (John 1.29).
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice" (Phil.4.4).
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Tom
December 6 , 2020
Pulpit Greeter: Chris Lewis
"Bethlehem Ephrathah"
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah
(Matt. 2.6).
Attendance: 57
Offering: 1,312 .00
Transitional Housing : 300.00
Men's Prayer Breakfast : 30 .00
We are thankful for your cheerful giving
