Calhoun Baptist Church News December 2, 2012
Rev. David Van Bebber, Pastor:
There is much anticipation of the day we celebrate the first coming of Christ. We are decorating the church with a beautiful Christmas Tree that sits almost in front of the cross that is on the right side of the alter. There are decorations all along the alter and wreaths with beautiful bows on the doors. Most of all, there is a Manger Scene out on the church’s lawn.
If you wanted to sum up the meaning of Advent, this beautiful and haunting season of waiting, you could do it with just one question: What are you waiting for? Most people, I suspect, would say, very simply, we’re waiting for Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus. But the gospel this Sunday that begins our Advent season suggests that answer isn’t really accurate. What Advent is really about is something greater and deeper than what you see in the malls or watch on TV. It transcends jingling bells and twinkling lights. It even transcends time. What we are waiting for, really, is the end of time. We are waiting for Christ to come – not as a baby in a manger, but as a king in the clouds. This first Sunday of Advent Brother Jeff and Sister Heather Hollinger and their daughters Elana and Gracie lighted the Candle of Advent and read the Scriptures and ended with a Prayer.
The reading of the Word by Brother David was from the book of John Ch. 7:37-44.NIV
37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”[a] 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.”
41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.”
Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
Last week in the book of John we were reminded that Jesus is the Bread of Life that came down from Heaven. This week we learned that Gods Holy Spirit is like a Well of Living Water flowing within us when we become believers. We can be a conduit for Gods Love to flow through us. When we let Him guide our life the Holy Spirit will overflow into the lives of others.
Gods time is now, what are we doing about it?
PRAYER CONCERNS: The Family of Tom Dirck ~ Charles Brown~ Lorine Henzlik~ Cathy Jo Sellars~ Pete Hansen~ Anna Myrtle Hansen~ Allene Stover ~Becki Schildnecht ~ Daryl Fallin~ Chris Miller ~ June Berry~ Paul McKinney~ Virginia Graham ~ Jackie Caldwell ~ Lucy Greer~
Pray for the Men and Women in Service of our Country ~
Events to look forward to and attend:
Dec. 8th. Breakfast @ 8:15 & Sack Candy and fill Christmas Plates @ 9 Am
Dec. 9th. 2nd Sunday of Advent AM Services
Dec. 16th. 3rd. Sunday of Advent AM Services ~
Dec. 16th.Christmas Program TBA
Dec. 23rd. 4th. Sunday of Advent~
Dec 24th.Candle Light Services~ time TBA
Sunday School 10:00- There is a class for all ages~
Worship Services @ 11 AM
Bible Study and Prayer Sunday Evening @ 6PM
Wednesday Nights @ 7 PM Youth Group, RA’S & GA’S
We are located 3 blocks off 52 on Highway V
Our Website: calhounbaptist.org