Come and See!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve candlelight communion service 6:00 PM.

Luke 2:1-7 (ESV)
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 was governor of Syria. [3] And all went to be registered, each to his own town. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. [6] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Remember that Jesus is the reason we celebrate!

Laurie and I would like to wish you all a blessed Christmas!

Jim

Monday, December 20, 2010

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (12/19/10)

Announcements:
Children and youth will have a Birthday Party for Jesus during the Sunday school hour this Sunday.

Scripture
Luke 1:46-55 (ESV)
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
[47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
[48] for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.  For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
[49] for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
[50] And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
[51] He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
[52] he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
[53] he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.
[54] He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
[55] as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."

Questions to Reflect Upon
1. If you had the skill and opportunity, how would you tell the world about a life-changing experience: write a poem, sing a song, publish a novel, or make a movie? Why?
2. What were the two parts of Mary’s song?
3. What attributes of God are extolled in the first part of Mary’s song?
4. How did Mary describe herself in her song?
5. What reasons can we give for calling Mary a woman blessed by God?
6. What evidence do we have today that God is still keeping His promises?
7. In what way can you glorify the Lord and rejoice in your Savior this week?

Friday, December 10, 2010

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (12/12/10)

Dear Friends,
Please remember that the children and youth of the church will be presenting the Christmas play on Sunday.  Please have your children there by 9:30.  Breakfast will be covered dish so please bring something to share.  All are welcome so please come and join us in our time of fellowship.

Luke 1:39-45 (ESV)
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, [40] and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. [41] And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, [42] and she ex claimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! [43] And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. [45] And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

Questions to Reflect Upon
1. What was the significance of the baby leaping at the sound of Mary’s voice?
2. In what way was Mary blessed?
3. Why did Elizabeth’s baby leap in her womb?
4. Judging from Elizabeth’s experience, what is it like to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
5. How are we blessed by Mary’s child?

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Children & Youth Sunday School Teams - Organizational Meeting

Thursday December 9th 5:30pm

Our children and youth programs at church are going very well. We have lots of kids after school each week enjoying fellowship, games and learning about God’s love for them. However, our Sunday morning classes need some help. We need help with some of the planning, organizing, implementing, crafts and snacks. We are trying a new strategy that will hopefully make our classes not only fun and exciting to attend, but also to help with. Our plan is to organize teams that will share the responsibilities for each class. Anyone who has taught Sunday school knows it’s hard enough to get the lesson planned, but then to find craft supplies, snacks and try to keep up with the kids – all that can be overwhelming. So, this is what we are looking for:
  • one or two that will teach each week or be a substitute
  • one or two to plan for the crafts by gathering materials (Pre-K and K-5th only)
  • someone to schedule breakfast snacks and/or get volunteers to bring them
  • someone to keep in touch with class members by calling them or sending cards/post cards when they are absent
  • and of course, we need some that will pray for each child or youth in the class and the other members of the teams.
The hope is to have groups of 4 or more per class. The age groups are Pre-K, 1st-5th, and 6th-12th. If you can or are willing to try to do any of the following…we need YOU! Anyone can help and you do not have to commit to being there every Sunday or even giving up your own Sunday school class!

So, if you are creative, organized or have an hour or so a week to make a difference in a child or youth’s life, please come to our organizational meeting on THURSDAY DECEMEBER 9th at 5:30 PM in the fellowship hall. If you cannot make that meeting, please call the church and leave a message that you are willing to help in some way. After it is formed, each team will get together at a time that is best for that group and decide together the direction they want to go.

Part of our calling as members of the body of Jesus Christ is the responsibility to support and teach our children the Christian faith. We make a vow, promising to do this each time we baptize a child. Please, help us to live out that calling. Pray about how God can equip you to help. Your example and love will have far-reaching consequences in these young lives. You can and will make an incredible difference!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Prayer Concerns

Please add Bettyanne Nethery and Morgan Richardson to your prayer concerns.

Bettyanne is in the hospital with an onset of pancreatitis. The doctors have her stabilized and she's getting better.
**It seems that there was some confusion about the prayer request for Bettyanne Nethery. It is Neil's mother Bettyanne who is in the hospital not Betty Nethery who lives here in Junction. Sorry for any confusion.

Morgan is in the hospital critically injured and needs lots of prayer. There will be a prayer vigil tonight at Simply Sugar at 7:45 PM.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Christmas Play Practice

Attention all Youth Parents and Children of First Presbyterian Church,
On Sunday, December 5th play practice will begin at 9:30am in the sanctuary.  After church we will feed everyone lunch and have another practice.  We should be done at 3:00pm. It is very important that all of our children and you who will be in the play on Sunday, December 11th are there for these two practices so that they can be prepared for the play.  It would also be helpful if some of the parents could help Sunday after church.  This is a special part of our Christmas worship and we would love to have as many participate as possible.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (12/5/10)

Announcements
1. Don’t forget that we are starting our Advent Bible study today at noon in the green room.
2. Men’s breakfast will be Saturday at 8:00am in the fellowship hall. Come and bring a friend.
3. We need all the churches children and youth to meet in the sanctuary Sunday at 9:30am for Christmas play practice.

Scripture for Sunday
Exodus 15:1-21 (ESV)
[1] Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, "I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
[2] The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
[3] The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name.
[4] "Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.
[5] The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone.
[6] Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.
[7] In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.
[8] At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.
[9] The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them.  I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.'
[10] You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters.
[11] "Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?  Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
[12] You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them.
[13] "You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
[14] The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia.
[15] Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.
[16] Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O Lord, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased.
[17] You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.
[18] The Lord will reign forever and ever."
[19] For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the people of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. [20] Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.
[21] And Miriam sang to them:  "Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."

For Reflection
Exodus 15 is the first full song recorded on the pages of Scripture and became one of the songs of God's people for many generations. David quotes parts of it in the Psalms, and Isaiah includes portions of it too.

Exodus 15 was a "congregational song." Verse 1 says that Moses and the Israelites sang it so we should immediately see a huge congregation for we're told that Israel numbered 600,000 men plus women and children! (See Exodus 12:37.) Verses 20-21 tell us that Moses' sister Miriam and "all the women" joined in with tambourines and dancing. This presence of women with tambourines and dancing points to a jubilant celebration.

Two themes occur in this song. The first theme is glory to God for his mighty work (see verses 1-12). The second theme is hope as they look forward in anticipation to God's future acts (see verses 13-18). Our remembrance of God's past acts stirs our expectation of his future acts. Remembering becomes eschatological!

The same is true of our songs in Advent: God's past actions give us hope for his future actions. What we experience stirs us to expect! God's acts of deliverance in the Old Testament are preparation for anticipating his mightiest acts through the incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Exodus is a picture of salvation. And standing on the other bank is a picture of finally experiencing the full redemption that will appear at Christ's return.

es•cha•tol•o•gy
n.
1. The branch of theology that is concerned with the end of the world or of humankind.
2. A belief or a doctrine concerning the ultimate or final things, such as death, the destiny of humanity, the Second Coming, or the Last Judgment.

Questions
1. How has God performed amazing “Red Sea” miracles in your life?
2. Why do we do our best singing on the "other bank" when we see and remember how we have been delivered?
3. Why do we find it so easy to slip from stirring praise to grumbling again?
4. When we are grumbling how can we remind ourselves of God's faithfulness and his future, ultimate deliverance?