Sermon Preview
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In Luke 2:8-14 we find the familiar and heartwarming story of the appearance of the angel to the shepherds out in the fields with their flock near the little village of Bethlehem. It is within this nighttime scene that the first public announcement of the birth of our Savior is made. Having received the angelic proclamation, the shepherds eventually made their way to the place where our infant Lord was discovered, just as the heavenly messengers had declared—“wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (vv. 12, 15-17).
According to verses 13-14, that tender moment—when the shepherds initially heard the blessed announcement—was interrupted unexpectedly. “Suddenly” the sounds of “a multitude of the heavenly host” joined in unison to praise the God who had brought about such a miracle! They said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (v. 14).
As you know, during Advent our sermons are investigating the things said about the incarnation of our Lord by men and angels—the words of which we have recorded for us in the Matthew and Luke. Last Lord’s Day we considered Mary’s reply to the angel Gabriel, who informed her that she would give birth to the Savior. This coming Sunday we will be making a close inspection of the praise-filled words spoken by the “host” of heaven in Luke 2:14.
Also on Sunday, in keeping with the Advent theme, I will be leading our Adult Sunday School class in a two-week study of the Doctrine of the Incarnation. We will begin at 9:15 AM in the Worship Center.
Before I go, let me remind you once more of two special events during the Christmas Season. On 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. Then on Sunday night, December 24 at 5:00 PM we will have our annual Christmas Eve Service of Worship and Communion.
Thank you for your kind and faithful prayers as we prepare to preach the Word, and may the Lord richly bless and keep you until we meet joyfully before Him in worship on Sunday.
I love you all so very much,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
December 10, 3:30 PM – Alleluia Choir Practice
December 10, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
December 12, 9:00 AM – Senior Fellows breakfast and 2018 planning meeting at the Church House.
December 12, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
December 13, 10 AM – Women’s Bible Study Brunch at Amy Schnorrenberg’s house
December 14, 6 AM – Men’s Morning Bible Study
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 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:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Hymn 194, vs 1,4-5)
Who Would Have Dreamed
We Three Kings
Angels From the Realms of Glory (Hymn 218, vs 1,3,5)
Announcements:
Meals for Members:
Hello Church Family! A meal schedule has been set up for Phillip and Stephanie to bless them while they settle in at home with the newest addition Jack!!!! Thanks so much for your willingness to provide meals. It is such a help and blessing to those receiving those yummy dinners!
Link to Bryant Meal Schedule: www.TakeThemAMeal.com/VNFU0877
A few have asked me to resend the meal links for the Townsley (to help while Kristen is on bed rest) and the Holloways (while Robin recovers from her injuries). I thought I would add them to this email so you can have all three meals schedules in one place! There are still openings for dates on both schedules. Thank you all for filling the need in these meal schedules!
Link to Holloway Meal Schedule: www.TakeThemAMeal.com/GHTE0876
Link to Townsley Meal Schedule: www.TakeThemAMeal.com/AMDA6531
If you have any questions let me know! Thanks, Erica McNeese 256-468-6951
CARE Center Support: We are going to be supporting the Care Center with donations this Christmas. They have specifically requested dry cereal (Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Oatmeal, etc.) and toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.). On Dec 3rd, 10th and 17th, please bring items to place in collection bins that will be located in the narthex. See Norman Dean if you have questions.
Schedule Announcement: There will be no Sunday School on the mornings of 12/24 and 12/31. We will have our annual Christmas Eve service on 12/24 at 5 PM. Sunday School will resume 1/7.
Women’s Bible Studies: The final studies of the year are December 12 for the evening study and December 6 for the morning study. There will be a brunch at Amy Schnorrenberg’s home on the morning of December 13 at 10 AM. The morning study will resume on January 10, while the evening study will resume on January 2.
Alleluia Choir: The Alleluia Choir (Grades 2-6) meets this Sunday at 3:30 pm upstairs in the Church House. NOTE THE CHANGED PRACTICE TIME! They 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
Youth Group: Youth Group meets Sunday at 4:30 PM at the church.
Senior Fellows: On Tuesday, December 12 at 9:00 AM the Senior Fellows will have breakfast at the Church House. Come and join us for food, fellowship and a devotional. Following the breakfast we will have a planning meeting on Senior Fellow Activities for 2018. 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!! Registration is open from now until December 17th. Click here for more details, including cost, agenda, and what to bring.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Bud Lancaster, 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).