December 9, 2007
(Picture here a Nativity Scene / I don’t send clipart or photos)
Jesus Was/Is …
God’s Original Peace Plan
While they (Joseph & Mary) were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told! -- Luke 2:6-20, The Message.
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Today!
CHRISTMAS SERVICE AT EMERALD RIDGE
MARY ELLEN JONES WILL BE OUR SPEAKER
FEEL FREE TO JOIN US THERE AT 1:30P.M
VISIT & TALK WITH THE RESIDENTS
A Great Challenge!
A NEW YEAR draws near – would you like the challenge of reading your Bible through in a year? We have nice tracks that give you the passages you must read each day to get that accomplished – each day’s reading can usually can be done in a few minutes. The track lets you skip from the O.T. to the N.T. In fact, you don’t even need to follow the suggested schedule because it provides boxes to check off what you’ve already read. Let me know if you’d like a Thru The Bible In A Year track.
POINSETTIA’S can be brought to the church at any time this month and in honor or in memory of a loved one. Please give Pastor Cain the names before Dec. 20th. We already have several beautiful plants.
Advent Meditations
Dec. 2nd / Kathy Onderdonk
Dec. 9th / David Onderdonk
Dec. 16th / Kathy Kostyo
Dec. 23rd / Susan May
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A Reminder To Those of You Who Use My
E-mail Address. It Has Been Changed to:
Are They Right?
(A couple on cogmail talk about church attendance)
Anthony. Christians in general have settled down to the tradition to "going to church on Sunday, listening to a sermon, singing some songs, hearing some prayers" and then going home because they have "done their religious duty" for another week! Contrast this with the practice of the early Christians as pictured in the New Testament. If there is one word that describes their Christian life, it was their constant "involvement"! -- Bill Wachtel
Are You A Church Builder?
The Church Builder’s League is a General Conference program where brethren around the country are asked to contribute a minimum of $25 twice a year to help churches with renovations, new roofs, parking lots or to help construct a new church. Would you like to help other churches? Give Pastor Cain your name and address and I’ll see that you’re placed on their mailing list.
PRAY FOR: Frank Toth, Margie Goldman (miscarriage), Anita Cain, Ken-Kathy Cramer, Jeff Stoneman (cancer, by Whaley), Terry James (cancer, by Roper), Evelyn Pennington, Jason Dishong (by G. Whaley), / Pastor Beder (cancer, Peru), Jack Hearp, Ruby Korode, Gene & Gloria Faehnrich, Edith Speer, Jacob Hinton*, Kathy & Destiny Reed + current pregnancy*, (*by Skip), W.C. & Craig Blankenship, College students: Andrew Weaver, Jackie Schuld, Dan & Rachel Cain (internship / teaching degree), Shut-ins: Evelyn Pennington Military: Rodger Schuld, Those serving in other countries: Lupe Badillo-Mexico, Tracy Zhykhovich-Russia, Beder Ucañay-Peru, Pastors in Malawi & Mozambique, Lesly Bertrand and the Pastors in Haiti. Colleges / Churches: RRCC, ABC, Golden Rule, Grace Brethren and for the peace of Jerusalem, Ps. 122:6; Isa. 62:6, 7
December 2007
9 Emerald Ridge Christmas program / 1:30pm
16 Christmas Banquet here at church after services
23 Christmas Sunday
30 Richard Marsh speaking / Pastor and wife on vacation
Future dates: Jan 13 Gideon Speaker
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45A.M.
WORSHIP 10:45A.M.
Musicians: (Frank Roper and Mark Cain)
Welcome / Announcements
Advent Devotional: David Onderdonk
Worship Hymns / Mark Cain (stopped for Dec.)
91 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
99 Away in a Manger
Prayer / Offering
96 O Little Town of Bethlehem
Trio: “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” (Karen, Mark & Sharon)
Message: “John the Baptist – The First Soul-Winner
Key Texts: Lk 3:1-6; 1:11-7; 39-45; Jn 20:21; 1:19-23; Mal 3:1; Isa 40:3; Jn 3:27-30; Mat 3:4,5; Acts 13:16-31; Mk 9:24; Mat 14:6-11; 11:4-11; Heb 11:39
520 Oh, Shout for Joy!
Everyone is cordially invited to Emerald Ridge (1:30) for our Christmas service. This is an opportunity to talk with the residents and brighten their day.
