Go Tell It On The Mountain Luke ,16-18 December 1, 2013 Rev. D2
|
|
- Dina Anderson
- 6 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 Go Tell It On The Mountain Luke ,16-18 December 1, 2013 Rev. D2 I love this time of the year. When I was young, it was fun when my parents would take us shopping and there d be those mechanical toys in the store windows of places like Macy s and Lazarus. It was magical. When our daughter was young, we would always go down to see the Zoo lights and listen to the Carolers. That was Christmas! It all started right after Thanksgiving. This year I saw Christmas decorations up in stores as early as the end of September. Every year I cease to be amazed at how early Christmas begins. This year as you know, some stores opened up as early as 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day for the Christmas Shopping craziness so that the rest of the world can get involved in the Christmas season. It used to be known as Black Friday, but now I guess we ll have to call it Black Thursday! I don t know about you, but I got to this weekend, and I said, how can it be Christmas already? It just doesn t feel like Christmas yet? But, don t we say that every year about this time? And the truth is, of course it doesn t feel like Christmas yet because the season that you get ready for Christmas is the season we call Advent. It s the 4 weeks, the 4 Sundays before Christmas Eve. Advent is the season when you re getting your mind and heart ready for Christmas. Today is New Year s Day according to our Christian calendar. It s the First Sunday of Advent! Of course it doesn t feel like Christmas. We haven t done anything to prepare yet. So, our culture announces it by doing such things as lighting the lights in Ruhiley Park and at the Zoo and with the official opening of the shopping season. And this is what the opening of the shopping season looks like (Show Christmas Shopping photos) You can see the joy on people s faces as they try to punch and shove each other in order to be the first one into the stores. This is how our culture gets ready for Christmas. And at this same time there are people in churches everywhere who begin to lament the fact that we ve lost Christ in Christmas! We look around and see that things are not like they used to be. It used to be that children used to sing Christmas Carols in schools, but now they have to sing secular songs.
2 2 We re fortunate that our community still allows our school choirs to sing Christmas Carols, but not so with most school districts across our country. It used to be that 3-4 radio stations played Christmas music from Thanksgiving until Christmas and now I think it s just 1. It used to be that at all the city hall s, there d be a Nativity Scene set up out on the lawn, but not anymore. It used to be the store clerks would wish you a Merry Christmas, but now they re instructed to wish us a Happy Holiday. So, in all of these things, we find ourselves feeling a tad bit unsettled about the fact that secularization has taken over Christmas. Instead of the Christmas season, it s the Holiday season. But, I have a different perspective on this now. For as long as I can remember, the culture has been actually telling a watered down version of the Christmas story anyways. I was thinking this week about the fact that this is our story. This is our defining story! I m not expecting the employees at Wal-mart or Target or K-Mart to tell our story for us. It s okay if they want to borrow our story. But, I m not expecting City Hall to tell our story for us. I m not expecting the public schools to tell our story for us. I m not expecting the radio stations to tell our story for us. This is our story! So, if people are going to hear the Christmas Story it s not going to be at Wal-Mart or Target anymore. It s going to be that you told them the story! You see, we re the ones who are called to tell the story! My hope today is to help prepare you for this Season of Preparation which is known as Advent, so you can have the best Christmas ever. I want to encourage us to be modern day angels! You will recall that last year I told you that the Greek word for Angel is Angelos which means Messenger. I want to encourage you to be modern day messengers who tell the story of Christmas. And I want to encourage you to modern day shepherds. So, let s turn to that wonderful story in Luke 2.8 of what happened on Christmas night after Jesus was born. In that region, (That means around Bethlehem) there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Now, this is an interesting way to begin the story.
3 3 God sends the angels to announce the birth of the great king, the long awaited messianic king, the savior of the world. God sends the angels to the shepherds to tell the story. If you were reading this story in the first century, You would have been shocked by this part of the story. It would have actually been scandalizes. You would have expected that God would have sent God s messengers to King Herod to announce in the courtroom of the king that a king had been born. Or at least to have blown the shofar horn in the Temple courts to announce to the Sadducees that the long awaited messiah had been born. But, God doesn t send the angels there. In fact, the angels don t go to the Pharisees who were the pious rabbis at the time or to the Essene monks out along the Dead Sea. They don t even go to the Herodians who were the wealthy and educated upper class in Jerusalem. God sends the angels to the night shift shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night. The reason why this was scandalizes was that the shepherds were considered the bottom class of society during the first century. They didn t own property. And they grazed their sheep on other people s property which was an irritation. They were not considered trust worthy. And therefore, they were not allowed to testify in courts of law. So, when God goes to announce the birth of the Messiah, who does God send the angels too? It s to these low income, uneducated, lower class shepherds, that s who! And not just to any shepherds, but to the night shift shepherds who were the lowest of them all. I love this about God! The text is telling us something about the nature and character of our God here. God sees the world and people differently than we tend to see them and value them and measure them, right? The scripture says that God exalts the lowly and humbles the proud. That s the nature of God. That s what we see in the story. When Jesus was born, he was essentially born in a stable, which was a first century parking lot because there was no room in the inn. His crib was the feeding trough for the animals. And he was wrapped in stripes of cloth instead of nice baby clothes because his family was poor. And they didn t have anything else. That s how God came to us. So, in the story, we see several things that are important.
4 4 In my multiple trips to the Holy Land, I learned a few things about the shepherds. And what I ve learned is that they are known for their hospitality. They have received me and open their homes to me as a complete stranger. They may not have much, but whatever they have It s yours if you re willing to come in and spend some time with them. Here s what I want you to think about for a second. Today s sermon is about preparing you for Advent and the Christmas season. And during this season we tend to have more visitors and guests come to church. What I know about you is that you want to be friendly, welcoming and caring for people. I don t think any of you get up in the morning and decide to be rude, unwelcoming or uncaring. But, in order to demonstrate radical hospitality, you have to be intentional about it. And what I know is that we tend to come together for church and we tend to sit by the same people every week. And we talk to those same people and then there are people who sit around us and maybe they sit in some body else s seat who normally sits by us and we aren t sure how we feel about that? We see people, but because we don t know them very well we re hesitant to open up and speak to them. Yeah, I know we have a time of greeting at the beginning of the service, but beyond that, we tend to stick to ourselves or to the people closest to us. And I want to tell you that doesn t work when you re a church that wants to care and reach out to people who may not have a church home and you re inviting them to come. If I haven t ever been to church or at least been to church in a long time Do you realize how much courage it takes just to park in our parking lot and walk through our doors for the first time? And then there s this room full of people and I don t know anybody and I haven t been to church in a long time and nobody really talks to me or seems to care about me except for those few seconds of greeting at the beginning of the service Am I coming back? Probably not. It doesn t matter how good the sermon or the music is, if the people didn t demonstrate to me hospitality and welcome. I m not coming back. You see, when you go to sit down somewhere and someone says: O, you can t sit there, that s so and so s seat. I m pretty sure that the person that says that doesn t mean any harm by it. They re just used to sitting by their friends. It s just what you do. But, if you re showing up for the first time and you really don t know anybody, what that feels like is: You re not welcome here.
5 5 None of us mean to be that way. It s just that we re not being intentional about being the other way. And when we re not being intentional about extending radical hospitality, then these kind of things happen. I want us to be the kind of people that when people come through our doors we invite them to join us for coffee or tea after the service. And we learn their names even if we have to write it down on our hands in order to remember it. When someone sits in somebody else s seat it d be nice if you said: I m so glad you re sitting there today. It s nice to meet you. What s your name? Then, begin to connect with them! I think the reason why God went to the nightshift shepherds is because they were the people who were most likely to open their arms wide and leave their sheep in order to go see a baby who was born homeless. And to love that child as though it was their own and to celebrate. That s the first thing I wanted us to notice about the sheep and the shepherds. Secondly, I want us to notice why God picked out the shepherds in the first place. And basically, I think it s because God is concerned about the nobodies, the poor, the weak and the least of these. The common theme throughout the Bible is that God cares about the underdog. So, when God announces the first Christmas, The first Christmas celebration happens among the poor shepherds out in the fields who were nobodies. So, if we re going to observe Christmas, somehow our Christmas celebration ought to be about bringing good news to the poor and bringing joy to people s lives whose lives might be joyless up to this point. Because that s what God did on that first Christmas. We do many wonderful things around here at Christmas. We support the Christmas Cheer Program. We support the Angel Tree Program. We serve at the hospitality Tent during the Parade of Lights. We support many worthy causes from to year. I remember last year we read the book entitled: Advent Conspiracy, as a congregation. And I preached 5 or 6 sermons on the topic. What it was all about was rediscovering the real meaning of the Christmas season. One of the things we challenged you on last year was to consider giving in your special Christmas Eve Offering an amount equal to what you spend on all of your Christmas gifts that you plan to give to your family and friends. I don t know about you, but the challenge for me each year at Christmas is: What do you buy for people who already have everything they want? What more are we going to go buy that they can t buy for themselves?
6 6 Ever since we did that study series, Debbie and I began scaling back what we give to each other and to our families and we are giving an amount equal to what we re spending on ourselves and our families to our Christmas offering. We tell our family members what we re doing so that they understand. You know what it has done for our Christmas? It has forced us to simplify what we spend on ourselves. And it has also led us to a richer and deeper appreciation for Christmas. You may not be able to do that this year, but maybe you can take a step toward it. It might just change how you celebrate Christmas. Let your kids know what you re doing so perhaps they too can gain a deeper understanding and reclaim what Christmas means and is supposed to look like. The reason we do this is because we think Christmas is at least in part about announcing good news to people who may not have much to celebrate. STORY of David Wilson: You see how this works? It s interesting what David Wilson did for his wife. He made up a homemade gift certificate and gave it to his wife. He said: I just want you to know that your Christmas gift this year was that I paid for all the Layaway gifts at K-Mart this year. I hope you re okay about that? The news reporter interviewed his wife and she said: It was the best Christmas present ever! I m really proud of my husband because he really got what it s all about. The newspaper reporter went on to summarize the story and said: God s messengers are everywhere! Remember the Greek word for messenger is Angelos or Angel. God s angels are everywhere. In everyone who lives the message of the Jesus story and anyone who finds a way to make light shine in the darkness is one of God s angels. Can I ask you a question? Are you making light shine in the darkness anywhere? Because that s part of what it s all about! Jesus said you are the light of the world! Let your light so shine before others that they might see your beautiful deeds and give glory to God in heaven. So, that s the second thing I want us to learn from this story. It s God s concern for the poor; And it s the invitation for us to celebrate Christmas the way God celebrated the first Christmas.
7 7 And that leaves my third and final thought that I want us to learn from this story. Now, the angels announced to the shepherds the Good news of great joy for all the people: To you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2.11) Those 3 titles for Jesus: Savior, Messiah and Lord Those are big titles which we re going to come back to on Christmas Eve when we ll try to understand what it means: For unto us a Savior who is the Christ the king and our Lord who was born? We re going to spend the next 4 weeks reflecting upon that. But, I want you to hear what happened next. The shepherds left their flocks and they went to Bethlehem and they found in that barn, that stable, the baby lying in a feeding trough just like they had been told. And then Luke goes on to tell us: When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. (Luke ) From this point on in Luke s Christmas story, there s no more angels. So, the angels came and they announced the good news to the first group of humans. But from that time on it was the human s responsibility to tell the good news to other people. The shepherds went and they told everyone what they had seen and heard and people were amazed by this. And they went home after telling that story and they rejoiced and praised God. There was joy in their lives after they had told the story of Christmas! Let me remind you of what I said earlier: I m not counting on Target and Wal-Mart to tell our story. I m not counting on city hall and the public schools. It s our story. It s our responsibility. They re not the shepherds and the angels. We are the church! If anybody is going to hear the Christmas story anymore, it s going to be because you told them! This is our mission! We have to go tell somebody what Christmas means to us. We have to tell them the good news. And I realize that this requires a certain measure of courage and reflection on your part to ask yourselves: How does Christmas make a difference in my life? How would my life be different if Jesus had never been born? Think about that
8 8 So, you can tell your story to other people. This is how every one comes to faith in Christ. Every single one of you who is a follower of Christ You re a Follower of Christ because someone told you about Christ Maybe it was your Grandma or Grandpa, Your Aunt or Uncle, Your Mom or Dad, Some friend of yours who invited you to VBS, Or to a Church Camp or to a worship service. But, somewhere along the way there was a human being who actually said: Why don t you come with me? Are you able to think of that person s name who s responsible for you being in church today? Because I can think of several people in my life. One of them was my Grandmother and my parents who took me to church and to VBS. But, I also remember several other significant adults in my life who were my youth counselors at my church and a teacher in my high school who introduced me to Jesus Christ. And what they couldn t see at the time was that I would receive a call into the ministry. They couldn t see that one day I would go to college and meet my wife though a Christian dramatic and musical touring group on campus and that one day I would marry her. I seriously doubt that on the day they introduced me to Jesus that they knew I would pastor churches who not only introduced thousands to Jesus Christ, but whose ministries have touched and changed countless lives. I know that you are intelligent and creative people. You re farmers, teachers, business people, volunteers, home-makers and I bet you could come up with some creative ways to introduce new people to Jesus. I can guarantee you that it isn t going to be Target or Wal-Mart, or City Hall, or the radio or the public schools, it s you! You, Jesus said, are my witnesses! So, I want to encourage us this year to do 3 things. I want you to write down something on your bulletin and take it home with you. The first thing I want you to do is answer this question: 1) Here s what Christmas means to me. I want you to complete that sentence in 140 characters or less. How many of you are on Twitter? How many of you have Facebook? How many of you send ? How many of you know it s the 21 st century? I want to encourage you to post your answer to that statement and you can say:
9 9 My pastor challenged me today to write down what Christmas means to me in 140 characters or less. So, when you post that people will immediately know that you go to church. And then you are telling the Christmas story in your own words. Here s three examples I posted earlier this morning: Christmas: Love, Hope, Life, Light, Mercy, Grace, Joy, the birth of my King. Christmas: No room in the Inn, born in a barn, Nightshift shepherds come to see a homeless child. Christmas: Savior, Messiah, Lord, King, Word made flesh, Emmanuel, O Come let us adore Him. If all of us who Tweet, Facebook or , or if you re old school and you re preparing a Christmas Letter, if you include This is what Christmas means to me in your letter, and if we all sent our message out to at least 25 people before midnight tonight, we will have shared the Christmas Story with at least 3,000 people today! 2) I want you to think about your Christmas Eve Offering and how that extra gift will affect the lives of many here in our community. 3) I encourage every single one of us to find at least one friend who we could invite to church this Christmas Season or to Christmas Eve. We can all do that. We may never know, but one life might be changed because you took the time and mustered up the courage to have the conversation and then to invite them to come. That s what I want us to hear from this story today of the Angels and the Shepherds. As we go to prayer today, I invite you once again to place your hands palms up on your lap and pray these words after me. Just offer this as your prayer to God today:
10 10 Lord, help me to remember the real meaning of Christmas. Help me Lord to care for the least of these. To offer them good news of great joy. Use me to extend hospitality to the stranger. Help me to reach out to my friends with your love this Christmas. Lord, I thank you for every person in this congregation. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon them. I pray that you would give them visions and dreams today of how they might reach out to their friends and to their community for you, that together, we might proclaim the good news of great joy for all people.
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF JESUS BIRTH TO THE WORLD Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 2:8-38 December 9, 2018
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF JESUS BIRTH TO THE WORLD Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 2:8-38 December 9, 2018 A famous artist was commissioned by a great church to do a sculpture for the building s vestibule. The assignment
More informationDirections for Use. I hope these devotions will spur your creativity and bless your kids! Amanda Singer
Directions for Use In the Kids Choir Program at Community Bible Church, we begin with worship and devotional time every week. It is so important that kids have spiritual reference on each song they sing.
More informationA Family Christmas. by Jake Petzold
A Family Christmas by Jake Petzold Copyright 2017 Concordia Publishing House 3558 S. Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118-3968 1-800-325-3040 cph.org All rights reserved. This downloadable resource is
More informationJesus is Here (4 th Sunday of Advent)
Jesus is Here (4 th Sunday of Advent) John opens his gospel account with the introduction to Jesus as having been with God and being God from the very beginning of creation. The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)
More informationAs many of you already know, this is the first Christmas since my mom s passing she died last March.
Christmas 2016 Christmas Anticipation As many of you already know, this is the first Christmas since my mom s passing she died last March. And that makes this Christmas my first Christmas without either
More informationLIVE NATIVITY HANDBOOK
LIVE NATIVITY HANDBOOK Neighbors enjoy coming together to watch the story of Christmas acted out by their own children. Invite them to join your family for a short but meaningful celebration of how God
More informationLuke s Christmas Carols: Gloria In Excelsis December 22, 2013 Luke 2:1-20
Luke s Christmas Carols: Gloria In Excelsis December 22, 2013 Luke 2:1-20 SI: We re tudying the four songs of Christmas in first two chapters of Luke. This beautiful Christmas morning we come to the shortest
More informationAdvent and Christmas (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-58; 2:1-20)
CREATIVE DRAMA LEADER GUIDE Advent and Christmas (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-58; 2:1-20) Age-Level Overview Age-Level Overview Open the Bible Activate Faith Lower Elementary Workshop Focus: Jesus
More informationShepherds December 20, 2015 Luke 2:8-20. For hundreds of years before His birth, prophets foretold the coming of the Anointed One from
I. Introduction Shepherds December 20, 2015 Luke 2:8-20 For hundreds of years before His birth, prophets foretold the coming of the Anointed One from God the Messiah or, as He is called in Greek, the Christ.
More informationA PIG GIVES HOPE HOPE. outreach-international.org. Advent Stable Outreach International
A PIG GIVES HOPE HOPE outreach-international.org Props: Advent Week One November 30, 2014 1) Poster with Pedro the Pig on it, and the story of the week on the back side. (Note: A plush toy pig is preferable
More informationMonday, December 24, 2018 Read John 10: 1-16.
LARGE-PRINT Devotions for the Week of December 23, 2018 It s A Boy! : The Shepherds Speak North East United Methodist Church By Rev. Dr. Drew M. Christian Sunday, December 23, 2018 Read Luke 2: 1-20. On
More informationCHRISTMAS EVE MEDITATIONS PM TRADITIONAL CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
CHRISTMAS EVE MEDITATIONS 2018 7PM TRADITIONAL CANDLELIGHT SERVICE Christmas time certainly has many wonderful aspects about it. From the decorations like those which adorn this place, to the familiar
More informationAdvent. Devotional TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH 4815 SIX FORKS ROAD RALEIGH NC TBCRALEIGH.COM
Advent Devotional TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH 4815 SIX FORKS ROAD RALEIGH NC 27609 TBCRALEIGH.COM TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH Devotional 2018 Throughout this Advent Season we will journey together to Christmas morning
More informationCome and Worship Him Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20, Matthew 2:1-12
Fall 2016 ~ Primary Lesson #12 Learning Objectives Come and Worship Him Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20, Matthew 2:1-12 1. The children will be able to retell the story of Jesus birth. 2. The children will identify
More informationThe Redemption of Scrooge: Keeping Christmas Well Luke 2: /24/2016
The Redemption of Scrooge: Keeping Christmas Well Luke 2:1-20 12/24/2016 Luke begins his nativity story with, In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.
More informationT H E G R E A T E S T G I F T ( N I V T R A N S L A T I O N )
C H R I S T M A S P A G E A N T S C R I P T T H E G R E A T E S T G I F T ( N I V T R A N S L A T I O N ) C H A R A C T E R S N a r r a t o r M a r y J o s e p h K i n g H e r o d D o v e S h e p a r d
More informationDON T MISS THE POINT
DON T MISS THE POINT By Neil Smith at Christmas Day Service at King of Kings 09:00 INTRODUCTION Right Let s do a poll by show of hands... Who was up the earliest this morning? Anyone before 7am? 6am? 5am?
More informationDecember 7-8, Christmas. Luke 1-2; Matthew 2. God Speaks to Us!
rd 3 5 December 7-8, 2012 Christmas Luke 1-2; Matthew 2 God Speaks to Us! Connect Time (15 minutes): Five minutes after the service begins, split kids into groups and begin their activity. th Talk to kids
More informationA Charlie Brown Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas I grew up watching all of the animated Christmas classic TV shows. Maybe you did too. The one that rings in my brain, though, is A Charlie Brown Christmas which originally aired
More informationContinuing the Celebration Psalm 148
Continuing the Celebration Psalm 148 I. Introduction: Merry Christmas! I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and you were able to enjoy every moment amongst what I assume has been a busy week.
More informationJOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM
LESSON SNAPSHOT BOTTOM LINE: Jesus came for everyone. OBJECTIVE: Kids will learn that Jesus loves everyone. KEY PASSAGE: Luke 2:1-20, The Shepherds Visit Baby Jesus. MEMORY VERSE: But the angel said to
More informationJoy: The Shepherds Candle Luke 2:8 20
CORNERSTONE BIBLE CHURCH December 14, 2014 Joy: The Shepherds Candle Luke 2:8 20 Introduction: Birth Announcements This past Monday night, we received news that some of our good friends from our church
More informationThe Magnificat Luke 1:46ff.
The Magnificat Luke 1:46ff. December 22 & 23, 2012 Steve DeWitt For Christians this truly is a most wonderful time of the year. There are many reasons why our culture, in general, celebrates: being with
More informationBIG IDEA: QUESTION: ANSWER:
BIG IDEA: Jesus birth brought great joy for all the people. QUESTION: How did Jesus birth bring joy to people? ANSWER: Jesus birth proved that God is with us and He never stopped loving us. We love hearing
More informationSERMON: December 16, 2018 Third Sunday in Advent PEOPLE TEXT: Luke 2:8-20 SUBJECT: Whom God loves THEME: God comes for all, as evidenced by the presence of the shepherds. PURPOSE: So that all would know
More informationSpecial Messages of 2017 You Won t to Believe What Happened at Work Last Night! Edited Transcript
Special Messages of 2017 You Won t to Believe What Happened at Work Last Night! Edited Transcript Brett Clemmer Well, here's our topic for today for this Christmas season. We're going to talk about the
More informationGood News of Great Joy! An Advent Chain Activity Book
Good News of Great Joy! An Advent Chain Activity Book Scripture taken from the Good News Translation Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission. Good News of Great Joy!
More informationA Family Advent. Useful Dates. Preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Local Events. Gloucester Cathedral
Useful Dates Local Events A Family Advent Gloucester Cathedral Sing carols and reflect on the meaning of Christmas. A service for switching on the Christmas lights and a procession of children carrying
More informationWho Wants to be the Shepherd? - A Christmas Eve Message
1 Who Wants to be the Shepherd? - A Christmas Eve Message Once upon a time in those days after Thanksgiving when Rt. 9 is transformed from its normal craziness into something like a hornet s nest after
More informationMIRACLE ON MAIN STREET
CONSIDER YOURSELF INVITED I can t believe it s almost Christmas! Yeah, only two more days til Christmas and only one more day until we get to perform our show on Main Street. This is so cool. I bet we
More informationChristmas 2011 // Luke 2:11; John 1:12
Christmas 2011 // Luke 2:11; John 1:12 Luke 2:1 14, ESV [2:1] In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration when Quirinius
More information6 Narrative Nativity Readings for 3 Readers
6 Narrative Nativity Readings for 3 Readers These are ideal for a family Christmas service or for use in schools 1 From the beginning R1: Every story begins at the beginning. But where is our beginning
More informationActs 2:42-47 The New Testament Church Jerry Arnold May 20, 2006
1 Acts 2:42-47 The New Testament Church Jerry Arnold May 20, 2006 Do all of you have a sheet of paper or something to write with? You maybe are wondering what that sheet is about? Here is what we are going
More informationANOTHER Christmas Eve
ANOTHER Christmas Eve By James Rhodes Performance Rights It is an infringement of the federal copyright law to copy or reproduce this script in any manner or to perform this play without royalty payment.
More informationOLDER CHOIR WORSHIP SCRIPT. Copyright 2016 LifeWay Worship, Nashville, TN All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
OLDER CHOIR WORSHIP SCRIPT Copyright 2016 LifeWay Worship, Nashville, TN 37234. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Worship Script FOLLOW THE STAR Older Choir (This script is
More informationWinter/Christmas Season 1-A
Page 1 The Shepherd s Search Winter/Christmas Season 1-A Written by Deborah Wasmer, Gr. 1-8 teacher warrenschool@samnet.net Warren SDA School (Massachusetts), Southern New England Conference Students playing
More informationIT S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS. If your family is like my family you are receiving your fair share of Christmas letters
1 December 12, 2010 IT S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS If your family is like my family you are receiving your fair share of Christmas letters from friends across the nation and the world. I frankly
More information(1) Joy to a Broken World Luke 2:1-12 Dec 13, 2015, Adrian Moskal
(1) Joy to a Broken World Luke 2:1-12 Dec 13, 2015, Adrian Moskal Let s Pray: Heavenly Father, we want to hear from you this morning, I pray that we will be changed this morning by your word, through the
More informationLAS POSADAS CHRISTMAS SOCIAL LIFE NIGHT OUTLINE GATHER
LAS POSADAS CHRISTMAS SOCIAL LIFE NIGHT OUTLINE GOAL The goal of this Social Night is for the teens to grow in community by celebrating Christmas together. They will also learn about the Mexican tradition
More informationTOØ MESSY / A Messy Christmas Sermon 1: Even they rejected him November 29, 2015
TOØ MESSY / A Messy Christmas Sermon 1: Even they rejected him November 29, 2015 Our theme this Fall has been TOØ MESSY. Are we willing to lean in to the messy, or do we tend to lean away, because we consider
More informationGod s Word, My Voice A Lectionary for Children
God s Word, My Voice A Lectionary for Children The First Sunday of Advent A Reading from the Book of Jeremiah [33:14 16] Soon I will make good on the promises I made to you. When I do, a branch will grow
More informationDecember 4, 2015 Florida Hospital Seventh-day Adventist Church Matthew 11:28 & Luke 2:15 Christmas Carols: O Come All Ye Faithful, by Andy McDonald
1 December 4, 2015 Florida Hospital Seventh-day Adventist Church Matthew 11:28 & Luke 2:15 Christmas Carols: O Come All Ye Faithful, by Andy McDonald For the month of December each Sabbath we will be visiting
More informationWe can tell others about Jesus birth.
Praise Jesus! Angels Appear to Shepherds Lesson 3 Bible Point We can tell others about Jesus birth. Bible Verse Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone (Mark 16:15). Growing Closer to
More informationThe Announcement December 15, 2013 Luke 2:8 20
The Announcement December 15, 2013 Luke 2:8 20 I. Introduction We celebrate birthdays and anniversaries and other significant events in our lives because they are important times for us and we don t want
More informationJe s u s as a Yo u n g Boy
Prayer Dear God, Thank you that everyone is important to you, even little children. Help me to remember this whenever I feel small and unimportant. In Jesus name, Amen. 17 Then the shepherds told everyone
More informationJoy from Above Luke 2:1-20
Sermon Transcript Joy from Above Luke 2:1-20 Joy s pretty popular this time of year, I would say. It s one of those attributes that gets a lot of face time in December, a lot of holiday cheer for several
More informationGod Bless Us... Everyone Luke 2:1-15; Isaiah 9:2-7
God Bless Us... Everyone Luke 2:1-15; Isaiah 9:2-7 Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. For one thing, growing up it was the one day of the year that our entire family would be together
More informationTHE IS COMING! An Advent Chain. of the names of Jesus
Savior THE IS COMING! An Advent Chain of the names of Jesus Scripture taken from the Good News Translation Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Savior THE IS COMING! The word Advent
More informationSongs of Christmas Song of the Angels Kevin Haah Luke 2: December 21, 2014
[Slide 1] Merry Christmas to all of you! I love the songs that we sung today. Thanks to the children who sang beautifully, and thanks to the worship team for leading us into the joyous songs of Christmas.
More informationShepherds Receive the Good News of Christ s Birth (Luke 2:8-14)
International Sunday School Lesson Study Notes December 21, 2014 Lesson Text: Luke 2:8-20 Lesson Title: Glory to God in the Highest (Christmas) Introduction Luke s Gospel is a Gospel of good news. The
More informationThe No Vacancy Sign December 24, 2016 Dr. Frank J. Allen, Jr., Pastor The First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida
1 The No Vacancy Sign December 24, 2016 Dr. Frank J. Allen, Jr., Pastor The First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida Luke 2:1-20 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the
More informationSERIES: THE CHOICE TO REJOICE LESSON 6 REJOICE: A SAVIOR IS BORN, part 2
SERIES: THE CHOICE TO REJOICE LESSON 6 REJOICE: A SAVIOR IS BORN, part 2 Bible Reference: Luke 2:1-20 Key Verse: Luke 2:11 OVERVIEW -Introduction Video -Bible Story -Key Verse -Prayer Part -Small Group
More informationMessage Not a Fan 04/30/2017
1 Message Not a Fan 04/30/2017 Is Jesus enough! Good Morning Church! God is Good! and All The Time! So I didn t want to Miss the opportunity to bring you the Last sermon/message of the Not a Fan preaching
More informationSermon preached by Dr. Neil Smith at Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Kingstowne, Virginia, on Sunday, December 24, 2017 Christmas Eve
Sermon preached by Dr. Neil Smith at Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Kingstowne, Virginia, on Sunday, December 24, 2017 Christmas Eve GLORY AND PEACE Luke 2:8-14 For most of us, the story of Jesus
More informationIntroduction for Teachers / Leaders. Liturgy Plan
Introduction for Teachers / Leaders The season of Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas; a time of anticipation and hope when we remember when Jesus was born into the world and that he will come
More informationChristmas Eve 2017 Pastors Dave Hoffman and Mark Hoffman Foothills Christian Church December 24, 2017
Christmas Eve 2017 Pastors Dave Hoffman and Mark Hoffman Foothills Christian Church December 24, 2017 Dave: What we re going to do now is we re going to read through the Christmas story. The birth of Jesus.
More informationThe Birth of Jesus. The Shepherds and the Angels. 2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world
The Reading of Luke 1:11-16 An Angel of the Lord Appears to Zechariah 11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him,
More information1 CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL SUMMARIZE IT
1 CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL The people of Israel had waited a very long time for their Messiah (or A LOOK AHEAD During the month of December there will be about 10 devotionals focusing on the birth of Jesus
More informationEpiphany January 6, 2019
Epiphany January 6, 2019 Today is the day that we celebrate the Wise Men coming to visit Jesus. At first, I thought that it was kind of a shame that we had to take down our Christmas putz before today
More informationMary: I was engaged to Joseph a carpenter. It was an arranged marriage, but a good one.
Scene 1 Darkness (Darkness; curtain closed; behind curtain, table at center with basin and few dishes in it, communion table covered with cloth) Narrator: (off stage through mic) The Word became flesh
More informationLife of Christ. Beginnings to Baptism. NT111 LESSON 02 of 07. An Angel Brings Good News
Life of Christ NT111 LESSON 02 of 07 An Angel Brings Good News Christian University This course was developed by Christian University & Our Daily Bread Ministries. But the angel said to him, Do not be
More informationThe Intriguing Story of the First Christmas
The Intriguing Story of the First Christmas Mary was a beautiful, young girl who was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter. They lived in a village called Nazareth in northern Israel. One night, not long before
More informationCarmen s Family Advent Countdown
Carmen s Family Advent Countdown What you will need for great family fun (and significant learning) during Advent: 1. A Quarter 2. Several varieties of grapes (or grape flavored items) 3. Smiley sticker
More informationGod In The Manger: REPENTANCE
God In The Manger: REPENTANCE Matthew 3:1-12 John s message turns our mind to Christ. A sermon preached by Rev. Dr. William O. (Bud) Reeves First United Methodist Church Fort Smith, Arkansas December 4,
More informationChristmas Eve Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Key Question: Why is Jesus special? Bottom Line: Jesus is God s Son.
1 Christmas Eve Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Key Question: Why is Jesus special? Bottom Line: Jesus is God s Son. Social (3:15, 4:30, 5:45, 7:00) 3:13 & 5:45 Story Sequence 4:30 &
More informationHOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
GOD WITH US Cover HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE We want you to use this Advent devotional in a way that points your heart toward Christ in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Each week has a Scripture passage,
More informationBarbara Rubel But I Didn t Say Goodbye But I Didn t Say Goodbye: Helping Children and Families After a Suicide
But I Didn t Say Goodbye: Helping Children and Families After a Suicide By Barbara Rubel, MA, BCETS Chapter 10 Six Months Later I may sound brave by writing my story. When I think back to the day my dad
More informationJesus Is Born (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12 Luke 1:26-58; 2:1-20)
BIBLE SKILLS & GAMES LEADER GUIDE Jesus Is Born (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12 Luke 1:26-58; 2:1-2) Age-Level Overview Age-Level Overview Open the Bible Activate Faith Lower Elementary Workshop Focus: Jesus
More informationPage 1 Text: Luke Dec 24, The Good Infection
Page 1 Text: Luke 2.1-14 Dec 24, 2018 St Stephen s Christmas Eve The Good Infection It is Christmas Eve, and I am glad to be here with you! Another Christmas has come! I have been thinking about that;
More informationSERMON The Nativity of Our Lord December 24, 2011
SERMON The Nativity of Our Lord December 24, 2011 Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 98 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20 Brothers and sisters in Christ, grace to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord and Savior
More informationCHRISTMAS EVE -12/24/18 Not the Christmas Present We Expected (Luke 2:1-20)
CHRISTMAS EVE -12/24/18 Not the Christmas Present We Expected (Luke 2:1-20) A little boy once wrote to Santa: Dear Santa, you did not bring me anything good last year. You did not bring me anything good
More informationThe questions at the end of each day are totally optional and may need rephrasing for your unique audience!
FAMILY ADVENT 1 Introduction We did this in our family and it seemed to go down well (the first time with a three and a five year old) so I wanted to offer it as a potential resource for others. The idea
More informationWhy we are here. Luke 2: I love this poem by Phillip Brooks which begins like this:
Why we are here Luke 2: 1-14 I love this poem by Phillip Brooks which begins like this: Christmas tonight! Christmas in lands of the fir tree and pine, Christmas in lands of the palm tree and vine; Christmas
More informationCampbell Chapel. Bob Bradley, Pastor
Campbell Chapel Bob Bradley, Pastor Our Savior is Born Sunday, December 23, 2012 Bob Bradley Luke 2 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the
More informationYour Advent. Adventure! A Treasure Hunt with Jesus
Your Advent Adventure! A Treasure Hunt with Jesus Christmas is coming! We all get excited every year thinking about the joy of Christmas. Some people like to think about giving gifts for Christmas. Some
More informationA shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. -Isaiah 11:1
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. -Isaiah 11:1 Advent is a time of waiting a time of anticipation and preparation for the coming of Jesus. In the early
More informationThe Miracle of the Message
Series: The Miracle that is Christmas 2 Text: Luke 2:8-20 Valley Community Baptist Church Dec. 3/4, 2016 Avon/Bristol, CT Pastor Jay Abramson The Miracle of the Message What did we say last week was a
More informationADVENT READINGS ADVENT #1
ADVENT READINGS ADVENT #1 I light the prophecy candle. Over 600 years before the birth of Jesus, God spoke a promise through the prophet Isaiah, The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be
More informationHomeless for Christmas
by Jennifer Graham Jolly & Lee Chewning What A well off businessman learns the true meaning of Christmas from an unlikely source. Themes: Christmas, Family, Jesus, Salvation, Holidays, Materialism Who
More informationDawson Preschool Ministry Christmas Family Faith Talks
Dawson Preschool Ministry Christmas Family Faith Talks Dr. Gary Fenton - Senior Pastor Brooke Gibson - Minister to Preschoolers Donna Allan - Associate Minister to Preschoolers Hollie Huey - Preschool
More informationMEMORY VERSE: The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen" (Luke 2:20)
Mustard Seed Children s Summary for December 21, 2008 Released on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 The Shepherds Good News (Christmas) DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 107:1-15 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1-20 SCRIPTURE
More informationCONTENTS INTRODUCTION 4 GETTING STARTED 6. What s Inside the Church Kit 8 STEPS FOR SUCCESS 10. Plan 10. Promote 14. Host 19.
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 4 GETTING STARTED 6 What s Inside the Church Kit 8 STEPS FOR SUCCESS 10 Plan 10 Promote 14 Host 19 Connect 21 NEXT STEPS 23 INTRODUCTION The Christmas season is a beautiful time of
More informationDECEMBER 3, 2017 HYMN OF THE WEEK All Earth Is Hopeful DECEMBER 3, 2017 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT. Advent is a time to be alert for the coming of Christ.
DECEMBER 3, 2017 FIRST SUNDAY Advent is a time to be alert for the coming of Christ. Sunday Mark 13:24-37 The day and hour unknown Monday Isaiah 64:1-9 A communal prayer for help Tuesday 1 Corinthians
More informationTHE SHEPHERDS Luke 2:8-20 I. INTRODUCTION-
THE SHEPHERDS Luke 2:8-20 I. INTRODUCTION- a. Not many celebrities politicians intellectuals the rich and powerful and the elite of this world recognize their spiritual poverty and embrace the simple gospel
More informationSheffield Cathedral, Christmas Day, , 10.30am Holy Communion Luke : Away in a Manger
Sheffield Cathedral, Christmas Day, 25.12.17, 10.30am Holy Communion Luke 2.1-14: Away in a Manger Introduction: As some of you know, Cathy and I are expecting to become grandparents for the first time
More informationSERMON The Nativity of Our Lord. December 24, 2004
SERMON The Nativity of Our Lord December 24, 2004 7:00 & 11:00 Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20 Brothers and sisters in Christ, grace to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord
More informationTHE WORLD SHOULD REGISTER!
Have you ever noticed the flow of the beginning of tonight s Gospel? It begins with the Emperor of all the world! Caesar Augustus! It tells us that all THE WORLD SHOULD REGISTER! The reason why people
More informationHCPC Advent Introduction. How to use this guide
HCPC Advent 2018 Daniel & Bethany Headley Introduction We are delighted to be part of your Advent celebration this year! Bethany and I have been celebrating Advent every year since 2002 and the addition
More informationTEST NAME:Reading Lit TEST ID: GRADE:04 - Fourth Grade SUBJECT:English Language and Literature TEST CATEGORY: School Assessment
TEST NAME:Reading Lit. 4.3 4.4 TEST ID:1960832 GRADE:04 - Fourth Grade SUBJECT:English Language and Literature TEST CATEGORY: School Assessment Reading Lit. 4.3 4.4 Page 1 of 8 10/20/17, Reading Lit. 4.3
More informationZION UNITED CHURCH McKEE S MILLS PASTORAL CHARGE THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
ZION UNITED CHURCH McKEE S MILLS PASTORAL CHARGE THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Student Minister Betty-Jean Friedman Supporting Minister Rev. G. Boyd Butt Ministry of Music Robyn Mitton December 24, 2007
More informationChristmas Eve Services 5:30 and 7:00 pm. Family Advent Guide
Christmas Eve Services 5:30 and 7:00 pm Family Advent Guide 1 A Note for Families Advent is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the birth of Jesus. But, for some families, this time of year can be filled
More informationCrib Service 2. Order of service. Welcome. Opening Responses Tonight we are excited Bless us with wonder
Crib Service 2 An outline for a Crib Service narrated by the inn keeper and his wife Samuel and Sarah. Contains other readings and prayers With suggestions for carols Order of service Welcome Opening Responses
More informationSAMPLE. Invocation In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Call to Worship (from Psalm 148) Praise the Lord!
E L P M A S Notes For Leaders Speaking Parts There are four mini-dramas with a total of 86 lines that can be assigned to two or more children playing the part of siblings and one or two parents. The same
More informationMatthew Following Jesus Correctly People Jesus Met, Part 6 Lon Solomon McLean Bible Church March 15, 2009
Matthew Following Jesus Correctly People Jesus Met, Part 6 Lon Solomon McLean Bible Church March 15, 2009 Hey you know, in 1966, I became a freshman at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
More informationOffering Ps.107:1,12 Prayer of thanksgiving & intercessions Hy.81:1,2,3,7 Divine blessing
Liturgy for Sunday, December 25, 2011 AM Confession of Dependence and Divine Greeting Ps.98:1,2 Ten words of the covenant Hy.18:1,3 Prayer of confession and illumination Ministry of the Word Reading: Luk.2:1-20
More informationCHURCH LEADERS CHRISTMAS PACK
INTRODUCTION Thank you! CHURCH LEADERS CHRISTMAS PACK Dear friends I guess you have noticed that Christmas is coming; and with it all the opportunities, but for many some pain and significant pressure.
More information24 th December, 2016 Christmas Eve Crib Service
24 th December, 2016 Christmas Eve Crib Service Gathering Hymn Once in Royal David s City Once in Royal David s city stood a lowly cattle shed Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed: Mary
More informationOpening Video Clip. PP#2: Image of Mary cradling the baby Jesus with wonder on her face.
Advent Series: Not a Silent Night Sermon #5: Not a Silent Night Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 (to be read during the sermon) Source: Rev. Adam Hamilton at the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, MO http://www.cor.org/worship/sermon-archives/show/sermons/candle-light-christmas-eve/
More informationAre You Getting the Message? Luke 2:8-20 December 11, 2011
Are You Getting the Message? Luke 2:8-20 December 11, 2011 There was a man by the name of James who grew up in Ireland many years ago and at the age of six was placed in the care of others so that his
More informationSo it is no surprise that Matthew s story includes this visit from an angel.
THE TIME BEING Matthew 2.13-15 December 30, 2018, Christmas Sunday Tim Phillips, Seattle First Baptist Church Angels. If you were in Adult Learning during Advent, you know that the Christmas stories of
More information