"Covenant Chronicles" by Danny Giffen
Thank you to all who have stopped by the church this morning to pray. We will continue to have the doors open until 5 pm tonight to lift up our church, the Boyds and the meetings in Austin. We have no updates as of yet, but will share from the pulpit Sunday morning. Prayer is good for the people of God as we are reminded that He is bigger than we are. I just shared with someone recently, God will always give you more than you can handle—the goal is dependance on the Rescuer on not on your own merits, gifts or talents.
What's Happening:
1. Join us Sunday evening for a wonderful time of worship, music and carols. The Choir, Youth Choir (Jubilate), Children's Choirs (Faith & Glad Music Clubs) along with members of the ASO have a special evening of music for us. Dinner is at 5 pm and the performance begins at 6 pm in the sanctuary.
2. Special Services – On Christmas Eve we will have services at 4:30 and 6 pm. Childcare is available for both but come early as these are typically standing room only. Christmas Day and New Year's Day we will have one service at 10 am with no Sunday School.
3. Monday morning prayer – Join the women of the church on Monday mornings at 9:15 am to pray for our church each week.
4. Great sermon from Keller on the church which I pray encourages you: http://www.resourcesforlifeonline.com/audio/2309/
Theology 101:
A Prayer about Jesus’ Many Advent Names and Offices
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isa. 9:6-7
Lord Jesus, you are the one of whom Isaiah was speaking hundreds of years before a manger became your first bed in this world. Every name, appellation and office the prophet gives you in this Scripture underscores the greatness of your glory and the wonders of your love. Knowing the government of the whole world already rests on your shoulders profoundly gladdens me. It fills me with a joy second only to knowing your shoulders fully bore the sin of the world, including mine. As this day begins, I raise my face to bask in your beauty and I lift my hands to offer you praise.
You are Wonderful Counselor, for in you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. You teach me everything I need to know about great mysteries and things eternal, but you’re also the one to whom I look for counsel about old wounds, fresh hurts and unfulfilled longings. You care about everything.
You are Mighty God—the one who created and sustains the entire universe; the one who upholds all things by the power of your Word; the one in whom all things are being summed up. But you also marshal your might to help me humble myself when I’d rather stay proud; to boast in my weaknesses when I’d rather be self-sufficient; to run to you, rather than just run away.
You are Everlasting Father, for to see you is to see the Father and to know you is to know the Father. You tenderly care for the needs of the world—even the flowers of every field and the birds in every sky; but you also care about me. You didn’t leave me as an orphan, Jesus. Through your work, I’m not only declared righteous in God’s sight, but also secure in his embrace. I now cry, “Abba, Father!”, with certainty and joy.
You are the Prince of Peace, for you paid the price of peace on the cross. Indeed, your cross was my Judgment Day. Because of you, God is at peace with me and his peace is ruling in my heart. We’re no longer enemies; there’s no more enmity left between us. You are my peace, Lord Jesus. There will never be an end to the greatness of your government and peace, for even as you are making all things new, they will stay new forever! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! So very Amen I pray, with humility and elation. Scotty Smith, Christ Community Church Franklin, TN
Foundations News
Carter Stewart will begin teaching our class for the Winter Quarter this week.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Rachel Ammons, diagnosed recently with Crohn's disease
Jarrod Glascow - upcoming job interview
Bishop Family - Katy diagnosed recently with Mono/Hepatitis, still improving
Charles Stickney-great uncle of Anna Averyt who passed away over the weekend
Elliot Williams - diagnosed with ovarian cancer
Sherry Zorn - Alan Spooner's mom battling breast cancer
Mary Stegall - Sarah Squires' mom battling cancer
Gardner Family - friend of the Murray's who passed away this summer at age 34, leaving behind husband and two young girls, pray for peace during Christmas season
HOSPITALITY:
Our class has the opportunity to help out the Ammons family! The plan is to have people prepare meals that can be frozen. They can be dropped off in the nursery Kitchen Freezer and each Friday someone will make a delivery to the Ammons. Please make sure that the thawing and reheating instructions are included. If anyone would like to make a donation for the Ammons we ask that you donate to the Deacon Fund and mark the money for the Ammons family.
