Christmas Eve: Once again, we will host two Christmas Eve services. Both will focus on the birth of our Savior using a prophetic reading from Isaiah 9:2-7 and the very familiar Christmas story as told by Luke 2:1-20. For those involved, the first Christmas was life changing. Has the reality of Christmas changed you? Have you offered the news of this life change to your neighbors? Our message will be “Serving Christ, Changing Lives.”
Our 3:00 PM service will feature traditional music with the organ and the bell choir. The 7:00 PM service will use the keyboard and guitar and some special vocalists.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jim
Isaiah 9:2-7
2 [a] The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy;they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is namedWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peacefor the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold itwith justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Luke 21:25-36
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”[c]
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
