Christmas in the review mirror

I really had a blast at our 5 Christmas services. I just wanted to take some time to thank everyone who made it so special:

• Cookie bakers and organizers
• Coffee and hot chocolate preppers/servers
• Greeters
• Tech team
• Worship team
• Our children’s teams (weekend services)
• Our amazing staff

More than 1,600 people came to our services. For every person who showed up, I pray they had an opportunity to experience God’s presence in a unique and powerful way. After all, He is WITH US!

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’).” (Matthew 1:23 NIV)

Countdown to Christmas…

We made it. Merry Christmas!!!

These last several blogs we journeyed through the Christmas Story in Luke 2. Today, being Christmas Day, I’d like to go to Matthew 1. As you read, please take a moment to consider your path. Knowing Jesus is Immanuel, “GOD WITH US” and He is right there with you, determine to walk WITH HIM into 2020.

“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: ‘Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:21-23 NLT)

Countdown to Christmas 2…

Christmas is such a special time, especially when you take the time to think about what God came to do for us. When you think about His love. When you think about His willingness to be “Immanuel”…God with us!

I have to wonder what it must have been like for Mary to experience all she did on that first Christmas.

“…but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” (Luke 2:19 NLT)

At Community, we have two more opportunities to come and experience the Christmas Story and its impact still today. Perhaps it will give you a moment to ponder these things in your heart!

Monday 6:30pm, Tuesday (Christmas Eve) 6:30pm.

Countdown to Christmas 3…

These shepherds got a couple of things right. First, they obeyed and went to see the baby in Bethlehem. But also, they started telling everyone what they had heard and seen.

Take a cue from these shepherds and commit to obeying what God is leading you to do. You and I can start by telling everyone we meet in the next few days about Jesus. That’s as simple as inviting them to come and experience the Christmas services at Community.

Saturday 6:30pm, Sunday 9:00 & 10:45am, Monday 6:30pm, Tuesday (Christmas Eve) 6:30pm.

“When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” (Luke 2:8-14 NLT)

Countdown to Christmas 4…

The shepherds were some of the first to hear about this Good News. The kind of Good News that would bring great joy to everyone.

Do you remember the first time you heard, or truly understood, the Good News of what Jesus came to do for you?

This news is transformational news…and it continues to change people who are willing to let the King of kings and Lord of lords be truly in control of their lives.

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’” (Luke 2:8-14 NLT)