Immanuel, God With Us

Is it too early to wish you a Merry Christmas?  I don't think so.  I love Christmas.  I love the lights, the Christmas tree, Christmas Carols, A Charlie Brown Christmas, food and family.  But before I let myself get completely enamored with all the distractions of the Christmas season, I must never let myself forget what we are too truly celebrate...the arrival of Immanuel, God with us, in the person of Jesus Christ.

As we continue in this season of advent, I want us to reflect for a moment on his love for us.  Christmas, at its core is God's love for us.  It was when God made the very first move in loving us.  God always takes the initiative--he blessed first, served first, comforted first, and most of all, loved first.  The Apostle John sums up God's love displayed in the manger when he penned John 3:16; "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  God's unconditional, unwavering, love for us is what drove Him to send Jesus to be with us in human form. 

I encourage to take the next few days and reflect on God's love.  As you do, begin by reading Psalm 89:1-4.  Then take some time and focus your thoughts and prayers on your love relationship with God.  At the beginning of each day, invite God to show you how he loves you.  Drawing on the example of Psalm 89, tell God how much you love him, focusing not only on his good gifts to you but also on who he is--loving, patient, good, holy.  If you find it helpful, write down your daily prayers, your expressions of love to God, and your observations as you look expectantly each day for God to show you how he loves you.  Then join us on Sunday at 9:30am, as we continue to prepare our hearts and minds for the arrival of our Savior, Jesus

Following our service, our Adult Sunday School class will continue their titled, "Going Viral: The Birth and Advance of the Church".  As Jesus ascended into heaven, he looked at his disciples and proclaimed, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  Acts 1:8.  What we will encounter in our study of Acts is a group of people who, after hearing the gospel and receiving the Holy Spirit, became bold witnesses for the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Rose City Flute Choir Holiday Concert
When:  Thursday, December 8th
Time:  7:30pm 
Where:  Parkside Fellowship
Who:  Everyone is invited to attend a fun night of Christmas music, food and fellowship.  Bring a friend.

Thank you for being a praying church.

See you Sunday.

Doug