Hello church family,
We had some computer issues so sending this a little late and hope it goes out.
GIVING THANKS:
* Sam Walkup is making big strides. They had him walking this past week, Praise God for his progress and the huge hurdles he has overcome. Thanks to everyone for your prayers!
* The Families with Young Children had a fun time together today! Thanks to Derin & Kristen for coordinating these events!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Prayers for Lost
* Prayers for the Truth Seekers
* Prayers for growth and spiritual maturity in the body of Christ
SIBI COURSES BEING OFFERED
At the bottom of this email is information regarding the SIBI courses that are being offered to everyone to increase bible knowledge. Please see Jay Repecko for details.
DECEMBER
* Friday, December 22nd the Young Adults will be meeting at the church building at 5pm for a Bible study with karaoke, games and snacks. See Zach or Tori for more details.
COMING UP IN JANUARY:
* Please mark your calendars for….A night of Prayer , Friday January 12th at 7:00 p.m. here at the building. As we welcome in the new year, please join us for an evening of scripture reading and prayer.
* Flo Repecko will lead the Saturday morning Ladies Bible study on January 13th at 10:00 a.m. The book of Exodus has been a wonderful study as we learn not to complain, mumble or grumble, but trust in God's promises. Thanks to all of the ladies who have stepped up to lead these studies.
* Sunday January 28th there will be a baby shower for Jenna Jones right after worship in our fellowship hall. Jenna and Emille are blessed to know they are having a girl Emiliana Adaline. A sign-up sheet will be posted for what to bring. Stay tuned for more details.
SISTER DESRINE….
Our Sister Desrine Forbes is quite the baker and asked if we could get the word out. She is taking orders for baked goods. Her specialties are: Fruit cakes, banana bread, pineapple, potato pudding. If anyone has interest in ordering something for the holidays, please contact Desrine on her cell at (203)360-5549 to inquire about pricing and delivery, etc. Thank you in advance for helping her out!
John 1:1-14
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
He himself was not the light;
he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision, or a husband's will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory,
the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created, and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.
God understands that we are broken, sinful and he loved us enough to send his son to leave heaven to become human flesh, so that we may experience his Grace, his Glory to save mankind from sin.
These few scriptures are breathtaking. Taking time to read, and re-read these scriptures, puts everything into perspective. It brings us from this fractured sinful, crazy, mixed-up world, directly to the eternal throne of God. To dwell on what was WAY before life began as we know it, is difficult, but God's word helps us to focus our minds on just that! Thousands upon thousands of years, prior to creation, God, …the great….I AM… sent Jesus to become human, and show us THE WAY.
Sometimes we feel so strongly about this, or that, but in the end…it doesn't really matter what we 'think'. What matters is what God's Word says about everything! How we respond to God's written Word and the Word made flesh, has an eternal impact on us. Since God's Word is truth, rejecting the Bible and rejecting Jesus is rejecting God himself. Believing, cherishing, studying and obeying God's Word, is the key to salvation, understanding God and living abundantly as we read in John 10:10.
These scriptures shed true light on God's Glory which was revealed in His son Jesus Christ. John 1:14 is one of the most important verses in the Bible. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us.
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” which means, 'God with us'.” Matthew 1:23
God's Glory
Hebrews 1:3
“The Son is the radiance of God's glory
and the exact representation of his being,
sustaining all things by his powerful word.“
Light and Life –
John 8:12
“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying,
“I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness,
but will have the Light of life.”
Grace –
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Truth –
John 17:17
“Sanctify them by the truth; your Word is truth.“
John 14:6
“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Man has the option daily to choose to think about empty or negative thoughts, or look to the fullness and deity of God.
Ephesians 5:17-14
“Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness,
but now you are Light in the Lord;
walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists
in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness,
but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by
them in secret.
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
For this reason it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
How blessed we are to have the Light of God's Word lead us to the eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
How blessed WE ARE to BE the LIGHT!
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket,
but on the lamp stand,
and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
God's Mercy and Grace are upon us.
Ephesians 2:4-5
“But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”
KEEP SINGING…
OH GLORIOUS DAY!
One day when Heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my example is He,
Word became flesh and the light shined among us,
His glory revealed…
Living, He loved me,
Dying, He saved me,
Buried, He carried my sins far away,
Rising, He justified freely forever,
One day He's coming,
OH GLORIOUS DAY, OH GLORIOUS DAY!
One day they led Him,
Up Calvary's mountain,
One day they nailed Him,
to die on a tree,
Suffering anguish,
despised and rejected,
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He,
Hands that healed nations,
Stretched out on a tree, and took the nails for me….
Living, He loved me,
Dying, He saved me,
Buried, He carried my sins far away,
Rising, He justified freely forever,
One day He's coming,
OH GLORIOUS DAY, OH GLORIOUS DAY!
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door,
Then He arose, over death He had conquered,
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore,
Death could not hold Him,
The grave could not keep Him