Celebrate the True Joy of Christmas

Christmas is a time for festive décor, bountiful feasts, family gatherings, joyful worship, and compassionate acts of caring. Although we enjoy many of the popular songs and stories of Christmas, the true spirit of the season comes from biblical stories that have been preserved and passed on to us across many generations, stories about the greatest gift ever given.

To celebrate the true joy of Christmas, many members of our First Baptist Family have been involved in projects of caring and sharing during the holidays. Whether at work, at church, or at school, all generations have been engaged in missions and ministries through Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan Hands, our Global Missions Offering, our Homeless Dinner, White Christmas, Angel Food Ministries, our Allie Yniestra Partnership, and numerous other local projects.

This Sunday we will meet for Bible study at 8:45. Our combined service of worship begins at ten o’clock in the sanctuary. The Choir of the Ages will lead us in music. Our pre-schoolers and children will enjoy a Children’s Christmas Feature. And Paul Hood-Patterson will share a message on Expectations from Micah 5:2-5. You are encouraged to dress casually in the colors of Christmas.

On Thursday evening December 24, we will meet at five o’clock for our annual service of Candles and Carols. As we celebrate the true joy of Christmas, invite a friend or neighbor to join you as we gather to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Throughout Advent we have been reminded that “joy gives me strength.” My prayer is that the joy of knowing and following Christ will re-energize each of us and prepare us to embrace the unique challenges and opportunities of 2010.

On behalf of our entire team of ministers, we wish for you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Search Me and Restore the Joy

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

-Prayer from Psalm 139 and 51

Advent is a great season to Discover the Joy of Christ-centered living. During the first two Sundays of Advent we have been challenged to re-discover the joy by (1) lightening our load and (2) coming clean with God.

This Sunday we are visiting Luke 3:7-18 where John proclaims God’s initiative as Swinging at the Root of the Problem.

In this season of Advent, we are re-energized with candles and carols, prophecies and promises, friendship and festivity. On the first Sunday of Advent, we lit the Prophecy Candle, reminding us of the messianic promises rendered by prophets long ago. Last Sunday we lit the Angels Candle, highlighting the angelic announcements to Elizabeth and Zechariah, to Joseph and Mary, and to Shepherds watching their flocks by night. This Sunday we will light the Shepherds Candle, a reminder of our responsibility to share the good news about the child born in Bethlehem.

Last Sunday morning, we were blessed as our Chapel Choir presented the Manger Suite. On Sunday evening, we enjoyed an energetic concert by our Melody Makers, Music Makers, Young Musicians, and Clarion Choir.

This Sunday evening, our Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra will present The Messiah at six o’clock. Invite a friend or neighbor to join you as we celebrate with the music of the season.

This week is our Week of Prayer for International Missions. In addition to our tithe, Amanda and I are writing our check for our annual Christmas Offering for Global Missions. We invite you to join us as we prayerfully and financially support the ministry of our mission partners around the world.

As our Advent journey continues and as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, ask the Lord to search your heart and restore your joy.

Getting Re-Acquainted with Joy!

(sermon outline for Wednesday December 2)

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10

Introduction:

1. Joy is more than a fleeting emotion. Not to be confused with happiness, gladness, temporal gratification, or satisfaction.
2. NT word- charos- refers to the joy of pleasing God, delight in what is right, or the joy of a lasting promise.
3. Joy gives me strength.

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Outline:

1. Joy enables us to receive and share good news.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10

2. Joy sustains us in times of suffering.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3

3. Joy transforms us.

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, Psalm 30:11

4. Joy motivates us to live and serve by faith.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

I Peter 1:8

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. III John 1:4

5. Joy restores our willingness.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

Conclusion:

Joy is tough. Joy is durable. Joy perseveres.

The lyrics of a favorite camp song we used to sing says, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart.” Why not let the joy rise to the surface?

What’s down in the well comes up in the bucket. Vance Havner

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Advent

It’s beginning to look a lot like Advent. Throughout this season of preparation for the coming of Christ, our campus is alive with prophecies and promises, trees and trimming, and candles and carols. Last Sunday in worship the Prophecy Candle was lighted, reminding us of the messianic promises rendered by prophets long ago.

This Sunday during each of our worship services we will light the Angels Candle, highlighting the angelic announcements to Elizabeth and Zechariah, to Joseph and Mary, and to Shepherds watching their flocks by night.

As we continue our Advent series, Discover the Joy!, we will explore Malachi 3:1-5 as we encounter “The God Who Scrubs.” In the Midmorning Service, our Chapel Choir will present The Manger Suite.

Also this week we will share in the Parade of Flags in each of our services as we kick off the Week of Prayer for International Missions. During this season, pray specifically for those who serve as our mission partners around the globe. And give a generous gift to our Christmas Missions Offering.

On Sunday evening, we will gather at six o’clock in the sanctuary for Children Rejoice, a concert of seasonal music presented by the Children’s Choirs. Then, on December 13 at six o’clock, our Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra will present The Messiah.

Our Children’s Ministry has done an excellent job of coordinating and preparing the 2009 Advent Devotional Book. This is a great resource for guiding your Advent reflections. Also, to enrich your devotional time, check out www.d365.org/followthestar, an online Advent devotional experience.

Advent is a great time to invite a neighbor to join you as we gather for worship to Discover the Joy of following Christ.