December 10, 2006
"The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding." —Martin Luther, Table Talk
Answers to Prayer
"O Source of All Good,
Herein is wonder of wonders:
he came below to raise me above,
was born like me that I might become like him,
Herein is love:
when I cannot rise to him he draws near on wings of grace,
to raise me to himself.
Herein is power:
when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart
he united them in indissoluble unity, the uncreate and the created.
Herein is wisdom:
when I was undone, with no will to return to him,
and no intellect to devise recovery,
he came, God-incarnate, to save me to the uttermost,
as a man to die my death,
to shed satisfying blood on my behalf,
to work out a perfect righteousness for me."
Gethsemane was a dark hour of the night, but not the darkest to come. What hope and assurance the sermon gave us that God was completing what He had planned to do long ago. The darkness in the morning was crowned with a special musical remembrance of Jesus' incarnation. We extend our special thanks to Pastor Rigsby, Donna and Carolyn Stewart as they led us in our worship.
Praise the Lord for the office help Shirley Fryer was able to accomplish last week! Do you know how much has to be filed after three years? How about 65 years? Thank you, Lord for willing and able hands. Thank you, Shirley!
Requests for Prayer
Politicians may have closed their doors for the year, but those guarding the gate stand at the ready. Remember in prayer…
- Marvin Funkhouser—in the Tacoma area
- Coleen—a friend of Woody and Barbara Blalock
- Bryan Miller (Cosgroves)
- Jonathan Kirkwood (Ken and Jean's son)—home (Pendleton) from a tour in Iraq
- Chris Shelton (Cosgroves)
- Jeremy Mullens (Cosgroves)
- David Edwards (Bill and Juleen's son)—home; establishing life after the military
- Sam Im (Korean congregation)
- Ryan Davey (Stella Rogers' grandson)
- Russell Perry (Cosgrove)
- Steven Henning (Cosgrove)
- Sara Parmenter—has returned from Iraq
- Tony Loving
- James Farmer
- Kevin Nicholas
Don Prettyman's brother, Allen, was told nothing can be done about his liver cancer. Don is planning a visit in January.
Mildred Watson was troubled most of the week with health problems. Please continue to pray for Mildred.
May we rejoice or pray with you? Others will intercede with you on your behalf before the throne of grace.
Happy Birthday!
December 11, Marco Roman
December 14, Shirley Franco
December 14, Sharon Franco
Happy Anniversary!
December 15, Tony and Dunia Núñez
December 16, Bill and Joyce Holeman
December 21, John and Becky McKinley
Missionary Christmas
As we reflect on Jesus Christ's incarnation and our union with Him, we remember those who are taking the "good news" to other people in various places around the world. If God leads you to participate in this special offering, please mark your envelope or check "Missionary Christmas." The deadline for receiving these gifts is next Sunday, December 17th.
Christmas Recital
The blessing of this year's Christmas Recital came be enjoyed via a CD or cassette of the recording. Send an email and one will be on the way.
Study the Scriptures Systematically
"Working with Confidence in God," considers the opposition the Jews faced as they tried to restore their country and teaches us that God will enable us to persevere when we serve Him. The text is Ezra 4-6. Open these notes by clicking:
NOTES.
Hear God's Word Expositionally
Click
LISTEN now to hear the latest audio sermons preached by Pastor Rigsby.
Read the Bible Carefully
Three weeks of reading through the Bible this year remain. In the middle of this week we begin the last book, Revelation. If you haven't read through the Bible this year, why not get a head start on next year now?
Here is the suggested Bible reading for September through December on one convenient half-sheet!. Download the schedule here.
Use the Internet Constructively
Click the links below to access the articles
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!. A brief history of the Christmas tree.
George Frideric Handel. A two-page biography of the composer of Messiah.
"Hell has no exits. Heaven needs none."
