Daily Email: Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016

NOTE:  This will be the last full daily email (I may still have little notes and bits of information) till January 4, 2017.  A blessed Christmas and New Year to y'all!

 

DEVOTION:  1 John 4:7-16 (NIV)

God's Love and Ours

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

¹³ This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. ¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

 

This isn't any ordinary love.  This is God's love with which we are to love others.  It isn't some sort of selfish love.  It isn't a love that expects something in return.  It isn't a love that requires love back in order to work.  It isn't a love that get easily offended.  It isn't a love that holds grudges and keeps from forgiving.  This love forgives freely, completely totally, and endlessly. 

This is a love that comes, not from us, but from the Holy Spirit living in us.  If it were up to us, this kind of love wouldn't exist.  But since the Holy Spirit lives in us, His love lives in us.  God is love! 

This is the true meaning of Christmas!  It is AGAPE!  It is the true and real love of God coming down to us in human form in the person and work of Christ.  If you don't get that, then the whole meaning of Christmas is lost on you, and it is only filled with shallow, empty thoughts, ideas, and actions. 

Be filled with the Spirit today so that the love of Christ may work in you and through you this Christmas.  Forgive as Christ has forgiven you!  Be forgiven as Christ ahs forgiven you!@  Love unconditionally!  WORSHIP AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY!  And REST in Christ! 

 

Peace be with you all!

 

Prayer: Lord, help me to see that the real meaning of Christmas is simply your agape, love.  Amen.

 

 

 

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CALENDAR

Wed- SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM 5pm; Bell Choir practice 6pm; Choir practice 7pm

Thurs- Karate 5:15-7:30

Sat-  Christmas Eve Worship 7pm
Sun- Christmas Day Worship 10am

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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte-  Eve- Nova Luebke  Day- Kalene Masters

Ushers-  Eve- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze; Day- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klovver

Altar- Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer

Elders-  Eve- Jason Cluver    Day- Jim Rahn
 
Greeters-  None

Lay Readers- None

Piano- None

Organist- Rachel Fisher Eve and Day

Projectionists: Eve- Mauch; Day- McKenzie
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  

A little bit more difficult question today:  What is the main theme of the letter to the Ephesians.

 

Thank you Patty Herath and Don Nolte for answering it for us!

 

Here is the  big theme (that both of them answered) for Ephesians: in one word  UNITY!

 

Here is a good theme explanation from my "Daily Bible in Chronological Order"

The message is universal.  Paul writes about the exalted relationship between Christ and the church and the practical results which that knowledge ought to bring into the lives of individual Christians.  Be begins by summarizing how God eternal plan is revealed through Christ, then proceeds to teach various lessons regarding the church; personal righteousness, earthly relationships; and the Christian's relationship with God.

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TODAY'S QUIZ:  How many letters did Peter write?

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NEWS!!!! 

CORRECTION:  NEWSLETTER ASSEMBLY IS NEXT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30!  No this Friday. 

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CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AND PARTY IS THIS WEDNESDAY at 5pm!!

 

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND!!!

 

AFTER THE PROGRAM THERE WILL BE A BIRTHDAY PARTY TO CELEBRATE JESUS' BIRTHDAY!  ALL kids and their parents are invited after church in the basement till 7:30!!  A LIGHT DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED!!

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CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP IS AT 7PM!  And CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP IS AT 10AM!!!

 

They will be two different services with all of your favorite Christmas hymns!!!  Come on out and enjoy them both!!!

 

NEW YEAR'S EVE WORSHIP WILL BE AT THE REGULAR SATRUDAY TIME OF 5PM!  NEW YEAR'S DAY WORSHIP WILL BE ONE SERVICE AT 10AM!  NO BIBLE STUDY OR SUNDAY SCHOOL!

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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER IS SOUP AND RAMEN NOODLES

This is the last week to get this food in as kids are out of school next week!!

 

Any size can, and any kind of vegetable is appreciated.    Place them in the receptacle marked "Backpack Blessings" in the narthex.

 

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AGAPE DONATIONS ALWAYS ACCEPTED!!

Any nonperishable food items, diapers, toiletries, etc.!!

 

Perishable food items can be taken directly to Agape at 713 Powell St. in Warrenton.  Call 456-4645 to find out when they're open or for more info.

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YOUR KROGER CARD CAN EARN MONEY FOR LITTLE LAMBS

Go to www.kroger.com/communityawards and register your card today!!

__________________________________________________________________________________________GENERAL PRAYER

For MIKE PUCKETT who is recovering from extensive lung surgery and is at University Hospital in Columbia.

 

For BARB PERRICONE who is back home on hospice care.

 

For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, who has been on hospice care for the last few months and slows down a little more every day, but is doing well.

 

 

 

 

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