Sermon from December 11, 2016

I know it's a little late, but I finally got around to editing it. 

 

Watch/listen/share!

 

https://youtu.be/8qtf_0Heo50

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

Daily Email: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016

DEVOTION  Isaiah 7:10-14

¹⁰ Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, ¹¹ "Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights."

¹² But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test."

¹³ Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?¹⁴ Therefore the Lord himself will give you^[a] a sign: The virgin^[b] will conceive and give birth to a son, and^[c] will call him Immanuel.

Ahaz was being self righteous.  He sounded good.  "I will not put the Lord to the test" sounds like a good response, but when God tells you to do something, you do it.  You don't try to sound right… God can see right through that. 

 

The "sign" was and is a wonderful thing, but sometimes we miss it, because we, like Ahaz, are too self righteous, too full of ourselves, and too self centered to see it.  We miss out on such a wonderful thing as God's grace and peace, because we are too busy trying to be right, trying to be the best we can be, trying to impress God and others, instead of just resting in His grace. 

Take this lesson from Ahaz.  When Jesus says "Come to me, all you who are labor and burdened and I will give you rest", don't say "Hold on Jesus, first let me prove to you that I am worthy."  Or, "That's Ok Jesus, I got this."  

Say, "Thank you Jesus!  I am a poor miserable sinner and I can't save myself."  Thank you Jesus for your rest!" 

Just do what the Lord says!  Surrender and go to Jesus!  Give up the fight.  Give up the bitterness.  Give up the anger and resentment.  Give up the struggle.  The struggle may be real, but it ain't worth fighting.  This Christmas, do what God says, REST in Him. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your "sign".  Thank you that you have given Him to me, even when I don't deserve it.  Thank you for bringing me back to life and giving me your Spirit.  THANK YOU!  Amen.

 

 

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CALENDAR

Tues- Quilting 9-2

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

Thurs- Karate 5:15-7:30

Fri- Assemble Newsletter

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?

 

(No one answered so I'll leave it again today.)

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NEWS!!!! 

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

 

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND!!!

 

Due to the weather, the program was postponed till this Wednesday at 5pm!  Come on up and enjoy this wonderful classic Christmas program with lots of singing!

 

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!!!

 

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 CAMERON FAERBER as he recovers at home from intestinal problems.   There is still no known cause of it.

 

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.

 

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