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MESSAGE
FROM THE PASTOR
December
2006
Pastor
Jeff Stanfill
“But
in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” (1
Peter 3:15)
The
people of God of the Old Testament followed a calendar
that included celebrations. There were several special
times each year that brought the people together with
feasting or fasting, family time or community time.
But really all these times were to be holy times.
Holy times are “set aside” times. (That’s
what holy means – set apart or sanctified.) Holy
times are when we put special effort in recognizing
God.
This
month, during the fun, flurry, and festivities set
apart Christ by:
- Attending
special events where Jesus Christ will be the focus.
- Talking
with family and friends about the connections between
our rites of celebration and the truth of Jesus’
incarnation.
- Going
caroling with the church December 3rd at 5:30 PM.
- Giving
at least one gift that is sacrificial (meaning you
have to trim your budget of money or time somewhere
to be able to give it).
- Inviting
everyone you can to the special services at church
(see calendar for dates and times).
- Reading
the words of a Christmas hymn each week with your
family or friends as a shared devotion.
- During
the month of December, memorizing several verses
of the Christmas story from the Gospels.
- By
answering each “Merry Christmas” greeting
with “God Bless You!”
- Offering
yourself afresh to Jesus Christ.
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