THIS SUNDAY: 12.15.19
Choral Christmas Musical
Brief Devotional Thought: Nick Watts
Dec. 15th – One Bible Study Hour – One Combined Worship Service
Below is the information I sent you via e-mail earlier in the week.
Class assignments for the next three Sundays, 12/15, 12/22, and 12/29.
As in the past, it is up to Glenna Applewhite and the 8am class as to whether to combine with the later Duncan class, or go ahead and meet at 8am. Please contact me should you see a problem and I will address it immediately.
108 – Agape
109 – Open Door
110 – Ladies’ Class
208 – Duncan
209 – Travelers
210 – Wellspring
211 – Singles
212 – The Village
215 – Base Camp
216 – Generations
217 – Young Adults
218 – University
219 – Transitions
FLC – Special Friends
WHAT, EXACTLY, DOES THE WORD “GOSPEL” MEAN?
We preachers & teachers can be guilty of throwing around what I call “Bible words or phrases” without remembering it’s likely that many of our listeners or readers have little or no idea what the word or phrase means.
The word we use most is the word “gospel.” It was a common Greek word in the Roman Empire meaning “good news”. But Jesus, both, deepened and widened its meaning with the good news of mankind having the opportunity to be reconciled to God through Christ.
Here is a wonderful, short clip by author and defender of the Christian faith, Gregory Koukl (pronounced “COKE-el”), as he succinctly explains the biblical meaning of the word “gospel.” Hopefully, this helps you offer clarity of the term to your students.
AND SPEAKING OF THE GOSPEL…
I thought this was profound. Nancy Pearcey was one of my professors at HBU during my grad work in Christian Apologetics. She actually studied under the renowned philosopher, Francis Shaeffer. She writes,
“One of Francis Shaeffer’s most memorable sayings was that Christianity does not start with ‘Jesus saves you from your sins.’ It starts with ‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.’ Shaeffer’s point was that Christianity cannot be reduced to a tract or a technique for getting ‘saved.’ It is a comprehensive account of the structure of reality, a rational and real-world account of the history of the universe, a verifiable storyline of the unfolding of the cosmos.”
QUOTE of the WEEK
The old saying is “You’re only as old as you feel.”
I know some younger people who live like they’re ancient. And some older folks who live life with such adventure and joy you would swear they were in their 20’s.
This quote sums up this topic better than any I’ve ever seen. Shared years ago by my dear friend, Jim Hardwicke, who happens to be our guest speaker at next April’s Appreciation Banquet.
LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE
The story behind one particular Christmas tradition. Enjoy.
In a single afternoon during a long ago late December…
Several of Santa’s elves got sick. This slowed toy production to a crawl and Santa began feeling that pre-Christmas-pressure.
A few minutes later, Mrs. Claus broke the news to Santa that her mother was coming to visit.
To blow off some steam and cool off, he went to the stables to harness the reindeer only to discover three of them had gotten out, nowhere to be found.
When he began to load the sleigh one of the floorboards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground, scattering all the toys.
Having reached his emotional limit, Santa retreated to his workshop for a warm glass of cider to calm his nerves. That’s when he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider. To make matters worse he dropped his favorite mug, shattering it into a million pieces.
Just then, there was a knock on his workshop door.
Angry, frustrated and “up to here” with everything that had gone wrong, he swung open the door to find a smiling angel who cheerfully said, “Merry Christmas, Santa! Isn’t it a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree here for you. Where would you like me to stick it?”
And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.
And, a bonus…
GRACE NOTES: Angels Among Us – Part 1
There is a heightened interest in angels this time of year. But, what does the Bible say about these supernatural messengers? There is a link in the blog to Part 2. Read the blog(s) here.
Soli Deo Gloria, Nick
BHBC OFFICE & WORSHIP HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:
12/15 – One Summit Group hour at 9:15; combined worship service at 10:45
12/22 – One Summit Group hour at 9:15; combined worship service at 10:45
12/24 – Christmas Eve Service; 6:30
12/24-25 – Offices closed for Christmas
12/23-31 – Offices open 8:30-noon (closed 12/24-25)
12/29 – One Summit Group hour at 9:15; combined worship service at 10:45
1/1 – Offices closed for New Years Day