“4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:4-7

O holy night the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees O hear the angels' voices
O night divine O night when Christ was born
O night divine O night O night divine!

Hark the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King! 
Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

Rejoice! Christ is born! The Savior is here! Jesus is Lord! Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year! – Bryan Johnston

     There are (now 15) days left until Christmas. Did you get all of your shopping done on Black Friday or cyber Monday? Are you ready for celebrating the birth of our Lord? It seemed that the Jewish world  was anticipating the coming of Christ. The prophecies of Christ were being fulfilled and the tensions were rising. Angels appeared to the shepherds, the star appeared in the sky, and the Magi traveled with their gifts. King Herod, rather, was threatened by the coming Messiah and issued a murderous decree. Mary and Joseph had been prepared by the messages of Angels and the work of the Holy Spirit. They were ready for the coming of the King.

     Are you ready for the return of the king?  Are your hearts prepared for his appearing? Are you living a life worthy of having the Lord dewll with you? As we get ready to celebrate the birth of Christ, let us consider the Lord's return. Jesus is coming back, will our lamps be trimmed and burning? Will our homes be schools of love? Will we be found alert, awake, and alive ready to rejoice in our salvation?

Scripture says, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know whe the time will come. Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back --whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. WHat I saw to you, I say to everyone: "Watch"" (Mark 13:32-33, 35-37). Let us rejoice and be glad. Let us anticipate his return. Let us be ready to meet him in the air. Let us cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Grace to you and peace from our Lord Jesus Christ --Bryan

      We have an immediate need for member volunteers to sign up to prepare communion services. We also need some of the men of the church to deliver the communion. Additionally, we need volunteers to do greeting (at the door as people arrive) and to host/organize potlucks for 2018. Whether you can serve on a regular or even one-time basis, please let us know. There are sign-up sheets on the tack board near the kitchen. If you would like to serve and have no experience in what you'd like to do, let us know and we'll help you learn your role, or team you up with an experienced member.

This little story has a powerful message:

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A lady went to the Pastor of her church and said, “I won't be attending Church anymore.”
He said, “May I ask why?”
She said, “I see people on their cell phones texting and typing during the service, some are gossiping, some just aren’t living right, some are sleeping, some are staring at me, they are all just hypocrites.”
The Pastor was silent. Then he said, “Can I ask you to do something for me before you make your final decision?”
She said, “Sure, what's that?”
He said, “Take a glass of water and walk around the church two times and don't let any water fall out of the glass.”
She said, “Yes I can do that!” She went and got the glass of water and walked around the church two times. She came back and said proudly, “It's done.”
The pastor asked her these questions; “Did you see anybody on their phone?; Did you see anybody gossiping?; Was anybody living wrong?; Did you see anyone sleeping?”
She said, “I didn't see anything because I was so focused on this glass, so the water wouldn't spill out”
He told her, “When you come to church , you should be just that focused on God , so that you don't fall. That’s why Jesus said, ‘Follow Me’, He did not say follow Christians.”
Don't let your relationship with God be determined by how others relate with God. Let it be determined by how focused you are with God.

     I am thankful for the writers of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, for they help us in our praise and worship to God. It amazes me how having a spirit of thanksgiving requires great work and intention on our part. There are many things in this world that take our attention away from God and demand our focus. The desires of the world and the temptations of the flesh lure us away from the source of all goodness. Let us make a resolute decision to set our hearts on God and be more thankful. Let us get into the habit of actually saying, “Thank You,” out loud to God and to all others. Saying, “Thank You,” acknowledges who God is, recognizes the true giver of good things, and proclaims the good name of God to others. Here are some song lyrics that, can help us sing, say, and express our thanksgiving to God. May your hearts be filled with praise and joy as your lives are transformed into the likeness of Christ. “Thank you Lord for loving me and thank you Lord for blessing me. Thank you Lord for making me whole and saving my soul. I want to thank you Lord for loving me. Thank you Lord for saving my soul.”

      “For all that you’ve done I will thank you. For all that you’re going to do. For all that you’ve promised and all that you are is all that has carried me through Jesus I thank you.” “I will enter his gates with  thanksgiving in my heart. I will enter his courts with praise. I say this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for he has made me glad.” “Thank you for the cross Lord. Thank you for the price you paid. Bearing all my sins and shame, in love you came, and gave amazing grace. Thank you for this love, Lord. Thank you for the nail-pierced hands. Washed me in your cleansing flow, now all I know, your forgiveness and embrace. Worthy is the Lamb seated on throne. Crown you now with many crowns, you reign victorious, high and lifted up, Jesus Son of God, the darling of heaven crucified. Worthy is the Lamb.” Be filled and be thankful. Let us sing songs of praise and thanksgiving. Let all the earth rejoice. AMEN!
-Bryan (Originally published 11/19/17)