| “No one is saved because his sins are small; and no one is rejected because they are great.” — Archibald Alexander |
| —Preparing for Sunday Here are a few things to help you prepare for worship this Sunday: Morning Worship Sermon: 1 Corinthians 3:18-4:18 “Body Image by Rev. John Downs Hark The Herald Angels Sing Jesus What A Friend For Sinners Psalm 25 (to the tune of Before The Throne Of God Above) Who Is This So Weak And Helpless? There Is One Gospel —Lessons And Carols Sunday, December 21 We will celebrate an evening of Lessons and Carols at SMS on Sunday, December 21 at 6pm. We will read several passages of scripture and sing a variety of Christmas hymns together as a church family as we remind each other of the glorious narrative of Scripture that culminates in the person and work of Jesus. —Christmas Eve Service There will be a Christmas Eve worship service at South Middle School at 4:30pm, with a fellowship meal at the Downs’ house immediately following. The church will provide meat and dessert if you could bring a side/appetizer to share. Please contact Lindsay Downs if you have questions about food.And if you are physically able, I would invite you to fast for some time leading up to that fellowship meal post-worship service. That could be starting in the morning on Christmas Eve and then breaking the fast after worship, or for a longer period of time if you so choose. However your conscience leads you is wonderful. A brief word on fasting: Jesus expected his disciples to fast. It was understood to be a way of spiritually reorienting the heart and mind. By going without food, for which we are physically dependent, we are reminded of our spiritual dependence on Christ and the reality that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4). And as we fast, finding ourselves longing to eat something, anything to quell the gnawing in our stomachs, we should be reminded of the longing that we feel for salvation– a salvation that we know now as past and present tense, but looking for the fullness of our salvation in the future tense, following the second advent of Christ. And so as we join together to worship our glorious Savior on Christmas Eve, we can fast to reorient our hearts and minds for this longing and expectation for our Savior who became flesh and dwelt among us. And then after that time of fasting and worshipping our God together, we can come together and feast–celebrating the reality that this Jesus came so that he become salvation for his people. —Thank You Message From South Middle School Principal Sandra Brown, the principal of South Middle, sent Brady Hillegas two thank you text messages in regards to your contributions to the teachers and community. With respect to the food we donated she said “Thanks you so much. I am sure our families will appreciate your kindness” And with respect to treats for the teachers she said “Thank you so much. Wow, You all did way too much.” As your pastor I’m very encouraged and impressed with how you as a congregation loved this school and community in those ways! Thank you so much. |
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