For our fourth Advent Church Service we shall use our 2020 Christmas Worship Service.
Matthew 10:32-33 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
For our third Sunday in Advent 2024 we shall worship to our 2021 Christmas Worship Service.
For our second Sunday in Advent 2024, our church service shall be our 2022 Christmas Worship Service.
Acts 9:1-19 Saul’s Conversion 9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
For our first weekend in Advent 2024, our church service shall be our 2023 Christmas Worship Service.
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Matthew 5:16 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Acts 5:34-39 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 4:12 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Revelation 5:13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
Free Audio Book - THE TRUTH by Pastor Joseph David Clark. 1 Hour
It is Christmas time again! Culturally speaking, it has become a tradition where many take time out of their routine to end the calendar year with a celebration of friends and family. Spiritually speaking, it is a time where Christians commemorate the prophesied birth of their lord and savior, Jesus Christ. 700 years before the birth of Christ, the Hebrew Prophet Isaiah prophesied the details and specifics about Jesus’ birth, which all came true one glorious night in a little town called Bethlehem, located about 6 miles South of Jerusalem. For Christians, the significance of Christ’s birth is ideally expressed in the New Testament of The Holy Bible, in the Gospel (which means the good news) of John chapter 3, verse 16, quoting Jesus himself who said: “For God so loved the world, that he sent His only son. That all those who believe on Him shall never know death, only eternal life.” Christmas is a time of the year to catch up with loved ones and pause to recognize what is truly precious in our lives and appreciate those who we cherish, and to acknowledge those who require our charity. Many express this through giving of gifts to one another, and to those in need. But in keeping with the holiday’s name’s sake: Christ-mas (Christ’s mass - which means: to spend time with God and receive his graces) let us remember Jesus’ teaching not only of His eternal salvation, but that everyone and anyone who is not of our own family or beliefs - is our neighbor, and should be received on the basis of charity, mercy, tolerance, non-judgement, and, forgiveness, not only at Christmas but every day of the year. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.