Recent Prayer Requests
* Sali Standley, illness
* Pete Koelling, health concerns
* Brenda Koelling, relationship with her daughters plus their salvation
* Brida’s daughter-in-law, Dawn
* Special prayer for Zachary
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Gene Schulze
* Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
* Our church and need for revival
Upcoming Activities
1. Open House at the Walkers, Tuesday,
6-9 p.m.
2. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting,
Wednesday, 7 p.m.
3. Christmas Party, Saturday, 5 p.m.
4. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. NO Discipleship Training.
Open House
You are invited to drop in for a few minutes or a few hours at Bruce and Debbie Walker’s home tomorrow (Tuesday) evening between 6 and 9 p.m. Bring some snack foods to share. Your children are also welcome.
The Walkers live at 233 Cole Blvd. in St. Charles. If you need directions, please call the pastor (233-0645). We do have stairs as well as a dog and two cats!
Christmas Party
PARTY TIME! This Saturday evening, church members will gather in our fellowship hall at 5 p.m. to celebrate the birth of the Savior. We encourage you to come and join the fun and fellowship. Bring a snack food and spend some time with your brothers and sisters. We’ll eat, talk, share, and play games. We’ll close out the evening with some Christmas caroling.
Come out and join us!
Christmas Worship
Our Sunday morning service will focus on the birth of the Lord which we celebrate next week. Join us at 10:30 a.m. for worship.
Also, on Tuesday evening, we will spend 30-45 minutes singing praises to God and sharing His Word as we reflect on the birth of the Savior in our Christmas Eve service. This service begins at 6 p.m.
“… describing a king as righteous meant that he would not only execute justice, govern faithfully, and live with integrity, but also deliver the oppressed and generously support the weak and the poor.”
James Montgomery Boice
Sermon Extras
1. Zechariah 9:9 begins with the word “Rejoice”, “gili” in the original. The definition of the word alone provides great insight into the opening of this verse. First, it is a commandment from the prophet. Not only should we rejoice because our king is coming (in our case, has come and is coming again), but we are ordered to do so. Second, the word means to “leap for joy” and often describes the leaping and palpitation of one’s heart. Certainly no Christian who understands the first coming of Christ and its impact on their life should have any difficulty rejoicing in what Christ has accomplished in their behalf. Furthermore, what true believer does not rejoice over the knowledge that our King is returning as the VICTOR!
2. Most translations read “Behold, your king is coming”. Note how Zechariah draws emphasis on this coming king. The word “behold” (“hinneh” in the Hebrew) is an interjection. It may also be translated “Lo!” The purpose of the word is to act like a pointing finger. Zechariah is pointing his finger at the coming king and calling our attention to his approaching form.
Doesn’t that remind you of John 1:29? “The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” May you and me “point our fingers” at Jesus for those who do not know Him as their King!
Questions to ponder: (1) Can you list some of Christ’s accomplishments on your behalf? (2) Are you rejoicing in the fact that He has come and that He is coming back? Or do you never even think about His comings? (3) Is Jesus your King? If so, are you an obedient servant in His Kingdom?
Pastor’s Postscripts
Let all the people say “Amen!” first for the work of God in the life of young Nolan Brook! Having talked with him on a number of occasions and knowing his parents have shared with him consistently for well over a year, I firmly believe the Lord has saved this young man. Also, let us rejoice further that the Lord has convinced Nolan of his need to be baptized and given him the desire to do so. Baptism is the first act of obedience for any disciple of Jesus. As you heard from Nolan’s own lips yesterday, he wants to be baptized to show the church he has been saved! Amen! We will celebrate Nolan’s baptism soon.
If your family is like ours, it seems every day during the Christmas season brings something else to do. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and overlook the true purpose for our celebration. The birth of Jesus, not the “coming of Santa”, is the true meaning for Christmas. I encourage you to join us on Christmas Eve as we worship our Lord in conjunction with the celebration of His birth.
I pray the Lord grant you a wonderful week and, if He hasn’t done so already, turn your heart to Christ so that Jesus dominates your thoughts, your words, and your actions especially at this time of year!
“Our king triumphs through suffering. His crown springs out of his cross.”
Johann Peter Lange