Submitted
Hopewell Baptist Church
Luke 2:1-20 sets the scene; Caesar orders a census, and everyone leaves for their hometown to be counted. Joseph went from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register with Mary, who was pledged to marry him and who was expecting a child. While they are there, the time comes for the baby to be born, but there was no guest room for them. It was improper for a stranger not to have a place to stay. All of Joseph’s family lives here – why is there no place for them?
The baby was wrapped in cloths and placed in a feed trough, like the Hebrews wrapped the sacrificial lamb so it wouldn’t get bruised. The angels are shouting, Glory to God in the highest, and then they’re gone. The shepherds say, did you see what I just saw – and they go looking in all the communal places where they find a woman, a baby wrapped in cloths and her husband. This is utter chaos as the Savior of the world is born.
We do this for Christmas – we schedule so much we’re drowning. The only people ready to receive Jesus for who He is, are a bunch of shepherds. As chaos enters, so does something beautiful. The baby Jesus was seen by people prepared to see Him for who He was. Are we prepared to see Jesus for who He is? The chaos clouds so much and we let Christmas get insanely busy. Let’s walk into Christmas seeing Jesus for who He is – the Savior of the world. The shepherds didn’t go back to their regular lives – something changed. They left their flocks to find the baby and encountered God in an incredible way. They went and told others. What are we going to do about it? Are we going to focus on letting Him in to everything? What are we celebrating? Remember, the Son of God was born, wrapped in cloths as our sacrificial lamb who would die on the cross for our sins. This is all about Jesus, every single day. There’s no special prayer, just tell Jesus you need Him! Let’s follow Jesus!
Join us Sunday mornings for Sunday School at 10 a.m. with Worship at 11 a.m., and Sunday and Wednesday Bible Study at 6 p.m. Watch live at 11 a.m. each Sunday on Hopewell Baptist Church Facebook page.
From The Pastor’s Desk
Redeeming the Time and Smelling the Flowers
It will soon be 2024. How did we get here? High school seniors were just freshmen yesterday, or so it seems. Young people say age is just a number. My body and my memory tell a different story. So many of my friends have died in the last couple of years. I stand in an almost vacant church looking at empty pews where people used to sit. I want to call my friends and then I realize they are gone.
Time slips away. Where did it go!? Some reading this may not be here next year. I might not be here.
That is one side of the coin. This new year offers opportunities, changes, blessings and disappointments. I can’t do what I once did. I can’t whip five guys anymore. Maybe three on a good day.
By the grace of God, I plan on being in church, preaching and serving my Lord. I would like to read more this year, pray more and preach better, visit old friends and make new ones. People seem to be in a hurry to do nothing.
Jerry Reed used to sing, “Smell the Flowers”. Paul said, “Redeem the time”. What will you do?
I am Pastor Johnie J Logue of Grace Baptist Church in Warsaw MO. Call me at (660) 281-4775.
Lincoln First Baptist Church
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I pray you had a great Christmas with family. May God bless you. Debbie Smith, Pam Ernsting and Doris Gemes gave a short program in song for the service today.
Luke 2 was the text for the sermon. Thank God for those who are still beside you. Also thank Jesus that He is with you. If you and they are saved you will see them again.
Christmas is about Christ’s birth. Make sure your family knows the true meaning of Christmas. You have a choice in which way you will go. Heaven or hell. Christ is born unto us. Joseph was from the house of David where Mary wasn’t. Joseph became Christ’s father by adoption. Adoption is just as binding as blood.
This is the perfect time of year to show our love. God can love you so you can start loving yourself. Christ chastens us because He loves us. Jesus paved the way for our salvation. We can’t change the past and we should know a child of God when we see them.
Evening service was attended by many. Pastor talked about the wise men and their journey to find the Christ child. It was an uplifting service ending with a candle lit singing of Silent Night. MAY JESUS BLESS YOU EACH DAY.
Unity Of The Lakes
How would you like to start the New Year? Many of us make New Year Resolutions, however have we released the things that keep us from achieving them? Please join us on 12/31/23 as we have our Burning Bowl service. We will write down, moving the things we need to release from our minds to paper, and see them physically and mentally released in a flame. These released negative thoughts and feelings will be replaced with positive, affirmative statements that we embrace for the New Year and renewed self. This is a powerful service that is certain to help us enter the New Year. Service is 11 am, dress is casual and all are welcome. Also join us after service for fellowship and refreshments. We are located 8 miles south of Warsaw on highway 65. Our physical address is 34948 Hwy 65 South.
Fristoe Missionary Baptist Church
The Fristoe Missionary Baptist Church will host the 5th Sunday meeting of the Baptist Old Path Association, December 30 and 31
Saturday night services are at 7:30 PM. Brother Jaytin DeFreece will bring the devotion followed by the sermon by Brother Lane Mashburn.
Sunday School at 10:00 AM followed Pastor B.J. Payne bringing the message.
A covered dish dinner will follow the morning services.
Afternoon services at 2:00 PM with Brother Bill Ackles bringing the devotion, followed by Brother Troy Smith bringing the message.
Everyone is invited and welcome to attend!
38126 Antwiler Ave.
Edwards, MO 65355
