Scripture – ESV
Micah 5:1-5a –
Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
And he shall be their peace.
John 1:1 –
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 –
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and was have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Bob’s thoughts:
It was good to be at a church where we could witness Advent Candles being lit. I also found a cross on the front of the pulpit.
We were welcomed by a few people coming in and I was thanked for my service. During the passing of Christ’s peace I met one of the singers and a Marine.
I wish there was a better way to say that visitors should not feel obligated to offer their tithe as I always feel like I’m being denied the blessing of giving.
The strongest point of the message was that Christ’s coming was fulfilling the expectations and predictions in the scrolls of the Jewish people, and more so that this was known by Herod and the Wise Men, wherever they came from. It has always seemed so odd that many in that time taught from those sacred scrolls but did not accept their fulfillment in Christ.
I was pleased to be sent to pray over the pastor, and thankful for Christ’s blessing him and for taking me from nothing to such an honored use.
Jan’s thoughts:
The entryway was filled with excitement as we arrived. The Associate Pastor welcomed us and handed us bulletins, and after hanging up our coats, we found seats in the worship area.
The building is fairly new but looks untraditional from both outside and inside. The platform included both drums and a grand or baby grand piano (I was too far back to tell).
Several folks stopped to welcome us and introduce themselves prior to worship but mostly it was an opportunity to sit and watch the members interact. There were few empty seats by the time worship began, and many children.
Music was led by four vocalists and the piano. The voices blended well and the volume was perfect. A quartet presented a selection during the offertory and a trio sang following the sermon, and all were strong and enjoyable.
The narration during the lighting of the Advent Candle focused on the Church as the Body of Christ, which was unusual, I thought.
The sermon, Small Town, Great Rule, centered on the insignificance of the Town of Bethlehem versus the magnificence of Jesus Christ Who was born there. The pastor pointed out that unlike everyone else, whose life began in their mother’s womb, the earthly life of the Son of God began at His incarnation but that He existed forever before and will exist forever after that.
We appreciated our conversations with those who took time to speak with us, including the pastor.
Our prayer for this church:
His grace we give to you as it was freely given to us. May you be blessed now and throughout the New Year.
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