Cedar Grove Church

There is joy in serving Christ.

Pastor Jeff Carroll’s text was taken from Luke 2, titled “The Whole Story of Christmas.”

This was the final segment and included the miracle of God becoming man, angelic visitation, wise men coming from the east and a wicked king named Herod. It is the story of a loving God trying to connect with a hurting world.

How much does God care about a lost and dying world? God sent his only son, Jesus, to die on the cross that we might be saved. God is reaching out to you through his Son, Jesus Christ. I ask you: Can you or will you allow Jesus to touch you through his marvelous grace?

Jesus was laid in a manger at birth because there was no room at the inn. We see today that a lot of people do not have room or time for Jesus in their lives, even though Jesus’ cradle rocked he world.

The shepherds who went to see Jesus in the stable were, in reality, perhaps the first evangelists to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. What is Christmas to you? God wants to reveal his Son to anyone who is looking for him, whosoever will take the water of life.

We pray that the meaning of Christmas is not lost to you and yours in the hustle and bustle of the commercialistic fanfare of the worldly Christmas of today: the lights, the gift giving, traveling, shopping, etc. The greatest gift of all time was and still is the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior.

When Jesus comes back for his children, he will not enter as quietly as he did when he was born. Instead, he will burst open the eastern sky at the sound of the mighty trumpet of God, and every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord of lord›s and King of kings!

Jesus is the reason for the season. Love to all and God bless!

Prayer concerns: Dewayne Watley and family, Janet Wyatt, Cameron Moon, Juliette and Ralph Hayes, Angela Hubbard, Jean Varden, Larry Patterson, Rita Price, spoken and unspoken requests.

Announcements: Friday night prayer service starts at 7 p.m.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

On the rainy Sabboth Day and Fourth Sunday of Advent, what a pleasure it was to go to the house of the Lord to celebrate the event with fellow church members. Candles in the windows and poinsettias on the altar table gave a warm welcome for the service which followed.

Dr. Mac, as always, rose to the occasion. Each time I believe his sermon is beyond improvement, he forces me to reconsider. The term “Master Teacher” was brought into service for ministers such as Dr. Mac. Stinson.

Today, his sermon title was “A Man of God.” His scripture reading was taken from Isaiah 7:10-16 and Matthew 1:18-25. Our candle-lighting litany was titled “Redemption Drawing Near.” Our opening hymns were “How Great Our Joy,” Go Tell It on the Mountain” and “Silent Night.”

Dr. Mac Stinson began his sermon by stating, “In a couple of days, we are going to celebrate God’s greatest gift to us: Jesus. He did not come to us in wrapping paper with a big bow on his head. Instead, God sent him as a little baby. The Hebrew people were waiting for a savior, but they thought their savior would be a strong, powerful man who would lead a great army or be a powerful king. They never expected a little baby. “At this holiday season, let’s remember to thank God for this most special gift that he has given to us.

Matthew 1:22: Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,” which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son, and he called his name Jesus.

Joseph was a man in control of his emotions and a man of great character who assumed the role of Jesus’ father. If he had not been, the world might be a different place.

When you pray, remember Dr. Mac. Stinson and his son, Chris and Beth Garcia, Annelle Smith, Katrina Brown and those of our church family who are traveling.

We are thankful for the safety and good turnout for our live nativity. We appreciate all the cars that brought people by to see the scene. We also appreciate all who brought gifts to be delivered to a special family on Tuesday.

Special thanks to all who participated in our Christmas program and who provided an abundance of food for those present when the service was over. We thank all the visitors who chose to attend our services at all times.

I personally wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.