DEVOTION:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
People are dying everywhere. Trouble seems to be a daily occurrence in just about everyone's lives. Storms seem to be getting worse and worse with every weather forecast. The world is just a horrible mess.
In steps Jesus. In steps the real comfort we need. In steps the Savior of this dark and dreary world who comforts us with the comfort we need to be able to comfort others.
We can try to find comfort in other things, but it never lasts. We can try to make ourselves as comfortable as possible in our nice homes and our comfy chairs, but it only makes us feel more uncomfortable when we have to get out of them. We can try to find comfort in artificial means like alcohol or drugs, but we know exactly where that will get us.
The only way we can find real comfort and peace is through the forgiveness that Jesus brings through his suffering, death and resurrection. Then, when we truly find comfort in the fact that God has given it to us and we in turn are able to give that same comfort and joy to others with the power and assurance that our salvation gives us.
Today we begin our series of three midweek Advent services. If you are feeling uncomfortable at all today, make a stop in to church for a wonderful fried chicken supper and stay for a nice, easy, and restful half hour of worship to comfort you with Christ's love and peace.
Let us pray: Lord God, keep me from trying to find comfort in worldly earthly things that don't provide Help me instead to repent and turn to You for the real comfort that only You can provide. Amen.
People are dying everywhere. Trouble seems to be a daily occurrence in just about everyone's lives. Storms seem to be getting worse and worse with every weather forecast. The world is just a horrible mess.
In steps Jesus. In steps the real comfort we need. In steps the Savior of this dark and dreary world who comforts us with the comfort we need to be able to comfort others.
We can try to find comfort in other things, but it never lasts. We can try to make ourselves as comfortable as possible in our nice homes and our comfy chairs, but it only makes us feel more uncomfortable when we have to get out of them. We can try to find comfort in artificial means like alcohol or drugs, but we know exactly where that will get us.
The only way we can find real comfort and peace is through the forgiveness that Jesus brings through his suffering, death and resurrection. Then, when we truly find comfort in the fact that God has given it to us and we in turn are able to give that same comfort and joy to others with the power and assurance that our salvation gives us.
Today we begin our series of three midweek Advent services. If you are feeling uncomfortable at all today, make a stop in to church for a wonderful fried chicken supper and stay for a nice, easy, and restful half hour of worship to comfort you with Christ's love and peace.
Let us pray: Lord God, keep me from trying to find comfort in worldly earthly things that don't provide Help me instead to repent and turn to You for the real comfort that only You can provide. Amen.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
TUESDAY'S QUIZ: fill in the blank: If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is __________ and so is your ________. (NIV)
useless/faith
_________________________________________________________________________________________
WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: (A little bit harder question for today and one that you will have to go outside of the Bible text to find an answer to.) When was the second letter to the Corinthians written?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR
Wed- Jonesburg Nursing Home worship 10:30am; Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30
Sat- Vendor, Craft and Bake Sale 9-3; Clark/Jordan Wedding 2pm; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45; elders meeting at noon
and give it. If it is money, then money, if it is food, then food, if it is prayer, then prayer, if it is forgiveness, then forgiveness. Whatever it is, give it today!!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FRIED CHICKEN AND POTLUCK SUPPER (5:30) and WORSHIP (6:30) TONIGHT!! What could be better?
Come for supper at 5:30!! Stay for worship at 6:30!!
If you are in elder groups 1, 2, or 3, you are responsible for bringing the food!!
Our worship will focus on the theme "Beautiful Savior, King of Creation" showing us how Jesus is much bigger than the 33 years he spent on the earth!!
______________________________________________________
CRAFT SALE, BAKE SALE, and VENDOR FAIR THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 9-3!!!!
Come and get your Christmas shopping done and get some goodies to eat at the same time!!!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MEN'S BREAKFAST CHANGED TO THE 14th!!!!
Since the Fair and Sale is going on this Saturday we are changing men's breakfast and Bible Study to the 14th. Please get the word out and invite your friends and neighbors.
____________________________________________________
MANY OF YOU STILL NEED TO BUY YOUR BOOKS FOR THE STORY!!!
The beginning of THE STORY is just a month away!! Are you excited? Do you have your books yet?
Adults may buy their books for $6 a piece before or after worship!!
Kids will get their books at Sunday school, but if they miss Sunday school they can get them after worship as well!!!
There are about 70 adult books left. Get them while they are still available!!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BRING SQUEEZABLE JELLY (all flavors are acceptable) FOR OPERATION BACKPACK FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER!!
Please put them in the proper receptacle either upstairs or downstairs.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GIVING TREE IS UP!!
There are 18 families who need help this Christmas. 57 kids need gifts! Come to church this Wednesday or this weekend and take an ornament or two!
_________________________________________________________
THE STORY: AN EXCITING NEW EXPERIENCE FOR OUR WHOLE CONGREGATION!!
What is it? THE STORY is a book compiled and written by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee, which takes sections of the Bible and divides it up into 31 chapters and adds commentary and study notes to it. The best way to describe it is to call it a Reader's Digest condensed version of the Bible. It is not split up into chapters and verses but reads more like a novel, and it doesn't include every bit of the Bible, but most of the main sections and stories.
How will it work? As a family and as individual members of the congregation you will each get a copy of the book. There are different versions for adults, teens, older elementary age and younger children. You will get these and read chapter 1 before January 5. Each week we will go through a chapter of the book in every part of the church's life: in Worship, Bible Studies, Confirmation and in the Home for personal devotions.
Why are we doing this? This is a great opportunity for all of us to read through the Bible TOGETHER in 31 weeks and for us to all literally be on the same page. The materials are excellent. It is a fantastic way for us to grow together as a church and or us to reach out to the community with the Gospel!
What about special weeks like Holy Week and Easter? We will take several weeks off throughout these eight months, one for Life Sunday in January, one for Easter and another two or three when I am going to be gone for Spring Break and other vacations. A specific schedule will be coming out in the next week or so.
How do we get the books? Each adult will be asked to buy a book for $6. A table will be set up in the narthex to buy them before and after services for the next several weeks or you can call Marilyn in the office at 456-2888 to purchase your during the week.
What about the kids? All children will receive a copy that is age appropriate courtesy of the Janet Wagner fund. There will be a table set up for the next several weeks for adults to buy books. Kids will get theirs in Sunday school .
What kind of help is needed to make this a success? We have several volunteers already to sell books, but could use a few more to sell before and after services until everyone who wants a copy of the book has one. I would also like someone, a man or a woman, who would be willing to lead a study of it during the week.
Can I order books for family members who are not members? There will also be an order form for those of you who want to buy books for your children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. PLEASE NOTE THAT PRICES WILL FLUCTUATE ON FUTURE ORDERS DUE TO PRICE CHANGES WITH BOOK DISTRIBUTORS AND PUBLISHING HOUSES.
Where can I go to get more info? Please go to www.thestory.com for more info.