By Scena Ann Petrey

Join us on Sunday, Dec. 2 when the children’s program “The Secret of Snowflake County” will be seen during the 11 a.m. service. It is always an inspiring program that ultimately shows how God can and will be a part of everyone’s life if we allow it. Hope to see you there!

Affordable Christmas will be held Saturday, Dec. 8. All volunteers are welcomed as we use this time to show what Christmas is all about.

Worship services on Sunday, Nov. 25 started in a very uplifting way. Jesse Hampton played the saxophone and his dad Joseph Hampton played the trumpet to “Amazing Grace.” It was amazing!

Bro. Kyle took his message “A Light in the Darkness” from John 1:1-5. The year 2018 saw many seemingly hopeless disasters: hurricanes, tornadoes, mass shootings, massive fires, political division, etc. BUT God has a shining hope during this special time of year.

So much of the Christmas story takes place in the darkness of night – Joseph hears of Mary’s Son, shepherds with the angelic host singing of Jesus’ birth; Joseph and Mary wrapped Jesus after His birth at night. However, Jesus is the light of the world and brings life, light, and hope to the world.

Matthew and Luke give us a historical version of Jesus’ birth while John’s message is a spiritual and theological coming of Jesus. We need to consider the three points of Bro. Kyle’s message: who the light is; what the light gives us; and why the light came.

Jesus, according to Genesis, was with God from the beginning of time. John tells us that the WORD was God and with God – almost a repeat of Genesis. While the sun gives us physical life, Jesus gives us eternal life. We stumble around in the darkness of sin, but when Jesus comes into our lives, He provides the light we need in a spiritual way. Through our troubles and trials, Jesus is with us to strengthen us and lead us into better times if we let Him.

Sunday evening services featured the telling of the Christmas story. From songs, readings, and explanations of the meaning of the Christmas decorations, we received a joyous beginning of the Christmas season.

The Christmas card mailbox is in the foyer, and the 2019 tithing envelopes are available for pick up in the office.

OBSERVE THE DATES:

On Dec. 9 during the 11 a.m. service we will have a commissioning service for Jonathan and Rebecca NcNiel. On Dec. 16 during the 11 a.m. service the Adult program “Hope Has Hands” will be seen. On Dec. 23 we will observe the Lord’s Supper at 11 a.m. and a candlelight service will be that evening at 6 p.m.

Dates to remember: Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. annual Christmas Dinner Sr. Adults; Dec. 14-16 – Mission trip to Boone, NC; Dec. 29-31 – Winter Xtreme for youth in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Thought for the week: “Christmas is a Holy season, a season for caring, a time to remember that His gifts are for sharing.”