Last week we studied the Symbols of Christmas and the Family of Faith in Luke chapter one.

The messages around Luke, chapters 1 & 2, are of the Messiah, hope, and great joy!

Jesus came into this dark world to bring light and to replace hopelessness and sorrow with great joy.

Remember the passage of Luke 1: 77-79  To give the knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Because of Jesus, there is joy in the midst of a sad world.  We are in this world, but we,  Bible Believers are not of the world!

Luke 1:44 states that baby John the Baptist leaped for joy in his mother’s womb when the yet-to-be born Jesus and His mother entered the room.

Luke 1:46-47 Mary said that her spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Luke 2:9-11 The angel of the Lord said to the shepherds, “I bring you good tidings of great joy…”

Real joy is in Jesus.  Joy in knowing that our sins are forgiven.  Joy in knowing we are His children and that we are going to heaven!

Jesus is the reason for the joy and Jesus is the reason for the season!

Please don’t forget to pray about a special gift for the Birthday offering for Jesus.  This year’s effort is very special, over and beyond our regular benevolent and Christmas efforts. We will be making great safety improvements to our welcome centers and outside patio areas as well as adding new fixtures, security cameras, a nursery door system, just to name a few.

Let’s approve moving forward into 2018 with a generous gift next Sunday.  No one person may be able to do all that needs to be done, but each of us can do all we can to help!

You are loved,

Pastor and Muzette

As students of the Word of God, we believe that God has a plan and a purpose for each life. There are no accidents or oops with God.

We do understand that disobedience, stubbornness and even sin can interrupt God’s will and blessing in our lives and marriages.

As a church, we believe that the primary purpose of marriage is to model God’s love for His church.

Don’t forget this quote by Dr. Adrian Rogers that we heard last Sunday:

“As goes the west, so goes the world.

As goes America, so goes the west.

As goes the church, so goes America.

As goes the family, so goes the church.

As goes the marriage, so goes the family.

As goes the heart, so goes the marriage.”

Life Action Ministries gave us the six steps for revival that we learned Sunday in Six Steps to Renew our Marriages.  There is a connection between my heart, my marriage and the spiritual health of any church.

Bryon Paulus wrote, “Thriving marriages are necessary not only for the survival of the church, but for the revival of the church.”

This past Wednesday we looked at the scriptures to help us break sinful patterns of marital conflict.  We are not perfect, but we are and can be forgiven.  Don’t give up!  Keep working on your life, your marriage, and your family.  God will honor our efforts and prayers.

Don’t forget to pray for the missions team in Israel.  (Genesis 12:3) About eight years ago our tours turned into opportunities to do more missions in the Holy Land.  Please pray for us as we spend Thanksgiving in Galilee!

Missions Month continues in November.  Let’s pray for the Lord to increase our faith and giving.

You are loved,

Pastor and Muzette