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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Sunday, the third week of Advent 2017, we are continuing our series of messages on ‘Who Said What About the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus.’ Up to this point, we have considered what Mary said, and then what the angelic host said about the coming of our Savior in human flesh. This week, we will be looking to see what this obscure man named “Simeon” declared about Jesus as recorded for us in Luke 2:25-35.

And let us remember that the purpose for this way of looking at the Gospel accounts of the birth of our Lord is that from these voices, both human and angelic, we discover more about the kind of Savior who came to earth, and about those He came to save and deliver from their sins.

As you read this portion of Scripture in preparation for Sunday, you will really want to pay attention as we come to the end of Simeon’s words about our Savior in verses 34-35. There is a most surprising and unexpected conclusion waiting for us!

Before I go, let me remind you once more of two special events during the Christmas Season. This coming Sunday night, December 17 at 6:00 PM, our Children’s Alleluia Choir, under the direction of Dr. Carol Bart, will present the Christmas story to us in song. Following their musical presentation, there will be a Church-wide coffee and dessert fellowship.   We encourage all of our members and visitors to attend. I can’t wait to hear our children sing the Lord’s praises!

Then on Sunday night, December 24 at 5:00 PM we will have our annual Christmas Eve Service of Worship and Communion. Please invite your family and friends to join us on Christmas Eve as we worship our incarnate Lord on the eve of His birthday celebration!

I love you all so much, and you are my constant source of joy and delight in Christ!

Mike

Upcoming Events:

December 16, 10:30 AM – Alleluia Choir Christmas Program Rehearsal
December 17, 6 PM – Alleluia Choir Christmas Program
December 19, 9:00 AM – Senior Fellows visit the Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home at 2701 Meridian St N. Carpooling is 8:30 AM at the church.
December 24, 5 PM – Christmas Eve Service
January 2, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
January 4, 11:30 AM – Women’s Lunch
January 10, 9:30 AM – Women’s Morning Study

Order of Worship:

You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here

The songs for this week are:

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Hymn 211, vs 1-3)
The First Noel
Angels We Have Heard On High (Hymn 214, all 3 verses)
O Worship the King (Hymn 2, vs 1, 4-5)

Announcements:

Alleluia Choir: The Alleluia Choir will have their Christmas program at 6PM on December 17, and will have rehearsal for the program at 10:30 AM on December 16.

Advent Scripture Read-Along: Ladies of Christ Presbyterian Church, please join us for an Advent Scripture Read-Along through the book of Romans. We will have a slow pace in order to allow you ample time to think upon the Bible’s greatest themes, all presented and explained in 16 chapters. I encourage you to find a study bible and dig deep in the notes as you read, 5 chapters a week will allow you to chase as many rabbits as you want.

Schedule as follows:
Dec. 4-8 Chapters 1-5
Dec. 11-15 Ch. 6-10
Dec. 18-22 Ch. 11-16

Here is what the Reformation Study Bible introduction says:

“Romans is Paul’s fullest, grandest, most comprehensive statement of the gospel. Its compressed declarations of vast truths are like coiled springs- once loosed, they leap through mind and heart to fill one’s horizons and shape one’s life.” and later: “From the vantage point given by Romans, the whole landscape of the Bible is open to view, and the relation of the parts to the whole becomes plain. The study of Romans is vitally necessary for the spiritual health and insight of the Christian.”

There is nothing better I can say to commend this book to you than that! Please email me with any questions and I’d love to know if you’re participating! Niniandjb@gmail.com

Sincerely In Christ,
Denise Brown

Senior Fellows: On Tuesday, December 19 at 9:00 AM the Senior Fellows will visit the Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home at 2701 Meridian St N. This will be a great opportunity to spend some time with great American veterans, showing the love of Christ and our thanks for their service to America. We will receive a tour of the home and then spent time talking with the vets. You are encouraged to bring small gifts like socks, underclothing, toiletries, sweets (no nuts or hard candy). Pat Galecki (retired Navy) will accompany us to minister to the lady vets. Carpools will leave the Church at 8:30 AM. We will go to lunch (about 11.30 AM) following the visit. Don’t miss this blessing.

Presbytery-wide Youth Retreat: “Roots” is the Providence Presbytery’s annual winter retreat.  This retreat provides Gospel-centered teaching, worship, and fellowship for the youth in our presbytery. Make plans to join us the weekend of January 19-21, 2018 at Camp ToknowHim!! Note that registration is open until January 5. Click here for more details, including cost, agenda, and what to bring.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Ian Trent, Suzi Jones, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nolan Osmer, George Boyd, and Joyce Bosley.
Birth: Congratulations to the Bryant family, whose son Jack was born this week.
Expecting: Please pray for the the Townsley family, expecting in March, and the Staffords and Deans, expecting in April.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).