Simply Christmas

Christmas Hope

Submitted by Admin on August 28, 2011 - 21:12
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We’re beginning our Advent series today entitled Simply Christmas. Our goal is to simplify the busy Christmas season and to place our focus where it needs to be, on the babe born in the manger.

The insistent message of Advent is -- don't settle for less than the full power of God Immanuel, God always with us. Don't allow Advent to be only about picture-perfect scenes or sticky-sweet, candle-lit windows. Advent is about the desperate need for forgiveness and the restoration of HOPE through a loving relationship with God. Anything less than that is selling God short.

Date: 
November 27, 2011

Christmas Peace

Submitted by Admin on August 28, 2011 - 21:13
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Advent is an opportunity for spiritual growth. But, many times instead of preparing ourselves for the Christ Child, we are instead thinking about the in-laws who are visiting, what were're going to get for our spouse, how we're going to pay off the credit-card debt, who's going to babysit the kids during the Christmas party, how we might handle Uncle Harry who always drinks too much of the eggnog, whether to serve turkey or ham, or whether it's feasible to get Grandma from the nursing home and include her in the festivities. Maybe there's more to Christmas than this.

Date: 
December 4, 2011

Christmas Joy

Submitted by Admin on August 28, 2011 - 21:13
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"It came without ribbons! It came without tags! "It came without packages, boxes or bags!" And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzlers was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. "Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!"

Date: 
December 11, 2011

Christmas Love

Submitted by Admin on August 28, 2011 - 21:13
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Why did God create you? God created many and all are made of love and all are made to love - the miracle of love only works if you want to become a fully loving member of the family of divine love. Once you have fallen in love with the one God created for you - your entire eternal life will be a permanent fire of miracles of love! Then, every person you add in your heart of love will expand your fire of love even further - the more people you truly love - the greater and more powerful your own feeling of love, hope, joy and peace.

Date: 
December 18, 2011

Christmas Tonight

Submitted by Admin on August 28, 2011 - 21:14
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Everywhere, everywhere Christmas tonight...what a beautiful Christmas Carol, which calls us to not forget that Christmas is not about the snow and the trees and the children, but rather about our Savior. He was born to us, in order to save us from our sins. He came that we might have life, and have it abundantly. We are blessed to have carols like this, which gently point us to the manger, when our sights might be focused on the lights, tree and festivities of Christmas.

"For the Christ-child who comes is the Master of all,
No place too great and no cottage too small;

Date: 
December 24, 2011

Christmas Gifts

Submitted by Admin on August 28, 2011 - 21:14
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No sermon was preached this day, instead a monologue was offered, with Pastor Karen donning time-appropriate clothing and portraying the wife of the innkeeper, and the wonder of the the birth of the Savior.

Date: 
December 25, 2011

Christmas Newness

Submitted by Admin on August 28, 2011 - 21:15
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If you were asked like Elizabeth to bear the forerunner, the Preparer, John
the Baptist...in your old age, would you, could you say “yes?” Or if you
were asked like Mary to bear the Savior, the Messiah the Christ Child...in
your young age, would you, could you say “yes?”

I am not so sure many women would, or could. But Elizabeth took the
time. She realized the honor. She understood the importance. And Mary,
likewise, also took the time. She had long awaited the coming of the
Messiah. How could she say no to bringing Him to the world?

Date: 
January 1, 2012