Author: Web Admin
The Birth of Jesus Christ
Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Luke 2:1-16
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Let not your heart be troubled
John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Christmas Dinner & Gospelmen Concert
Give thanks unto the LORD
1 Chronicles 16:8-36
Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.
Operation Christmas Child – Reminder
Just a quick reminder, we will be packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child this Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
If you are still interested in participating, we can always use more items for packing in the boxes. These items should be new or appear like new.
Here is some ideas:
Toys: small dolls, stuffed animals, balls, marbles, jump ropes, matchbox cars, puzzles, yo-yos
School Supplies: notebooks, scissors, pencil sharpeners, glue sticks
Non Liquid Hygiend Items: toothbrushes and toothpaste, bar soap, washcloths, combs
Accesories: socks, hats, t-shirts, flip-flops hair bands, sunglasses, jewelry
If you have a collection of beanie babies that you’d like to donate, those work really well in the boxes.
Please have your items or your packed boxes to the church by Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
Thank you for your generosity!
Giving Tree
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me… ” Matt. 25:35-36
Would you like to help a needy family this Christmas? You can by “adopting” a child for Christmas. The Giving Tree will be set up in the fellowship hall Sunday, November 23rd and Sunday, November 30th for you to select a child. Here’s how it’s done.
1. Each needy child has an ornament on a small Christmas tree in the fellowship hail. Select a child and take the ornament off the tree.
2. Purchase Christmas gifts for that child. Plan on spending from $25 – $50. The ornament will list the child’s age, sizes, and some gift suggestions.
3. Return the gifts to the church by December 7th • Attach the ornament from the tree to the gifts. The gifts may be wrapped or unwrapped. You may use a tag to put the child’s name on the gifts but please leave the “from” blank.
Any Questions? Contact Lisa.
The children’s names were received from “Holiday Depot”. Holiday Depot is a clearinghouse organization for the Lapeer County area. Schools, churches, community service groups and government offices direct all families in need during the
holiday season to Holiday Depot. Holiday Depot determines if the family is truly in need and compiles a list of names and family details. Last year more than 3000 people received assistance.
AWANA Food Drive
The AWANA program is hosting a food drive from now until November 19th. Any non-perishable food items will be accepted. The food will be given to the Stone Soup food pantry in Lapeer. The food drive will be a competition between the four different AWANA teams: Green, Blue, Red, and Yellow. If you’d like to contribute, boxes labeled with the team colors can be found in the fellowship hall.
Ladies Fellowship Christmas Party
The Ladies Fellowship Christmas Party will be Tuesday, November 18th at 6:30 pm. There will be a gift exchange. Your gift can be new or used, store-bought or homemade. Just bring something you think another lady might enjoy. Also, you do not have to participate in the gift exchange to come. Please bring a dish to pass.
Watch ‘I Stand Sunday’ & Take a Stand for Freedom
REMINDER: Watch ‘I Stand Sunday’ & Take a Stand with Us for Freedom
In a self-protective move, Houston Mayor Annise Parker on Thursday announced that she was dropping the subpoenas for the internal church communications for 5 local pastors. Aside from the fact that the subpoenas had little chance of being upheld in court, Mayor Parker sidestepped the real issue at hand in Houston. In her statement, she said, “I don’t want to have a national debate about freedom of religion when my whole purpose is to defend a strong and wonderful and appropriate city ordinance against local attack.”
The mayor may not want to discuss the freedom of religion, but we at Family Research Council think that our First Freedom is more than worthy of discussion. Intimidating pastors and churches stifles freedom, and Americans should be free to petition their local officials without fear of heavy-handed retaliation from government.
Please plan to watch with us I Stand Sunday – a nationwide simulcast this Sunday, November 2nd at 6:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. ET. Live from Grace Community Church in Houston — one of the affected churches — “I Stand Sunday” will focus on what’s happening there and discuss how Houston is a bellwether for the rest of America. The event’s purpose is to show how Christians nationwide can stand together in love and unity for America’s First Freedom of religious liberty.
You can join with us as a host church, or by viewing at your home via webcast this Sunday evening. If you’re in the Houston area, please join us in person — the doors open at Grace Church at 5 p.m. CT.
You’ll hear from:
• David & Jason Benham, Co-founders, Benham Companies
• Hernan Castano, Pastor, Iglesia Rios de Aceite, Houston
• Willie Davis, Pastor, MacGregor Palm Community Baptist, Houston
• Dr. Ronnie Floyd, President, Southern Baptist Convention
• Magda Hermida, Founder, Magda Hermida Ministries, Houston
• Gov. Mike Huckabee, Host of Fox News’ Huckabee, former Gov. Arkansas
• Khan Huynh, Pastor, Vietnamese Baptist Church, Houston
• Lee Maxcy, Second Baptist Church, Houston
• Max Miller, Senior Pastor, Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church, President, Baptist Ministers’ Association
• Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council
• Moriah Peters, Singer-Songwriter
• Steve Riggle, Founding Senior Pastor, Grace Community Church, Houston
• Alan Robertson, Duck Dynasty
• Phil Robertson, The Duck Commander/Duck Dynasty
• Dr. Rick Scarborough, President, Vision America
• Erik Stanley, Director, Church Project and Pulpit Initiative, Alliance Defending Freedom
• Todd Starnes, Fox News Radio, Author God Less America
• F.N. Williams, Sr., Pastor, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, President, Houston Ministers Against Crime
• Dr. Ed Young, Senior Pastor, Second Baptist Church, Houston
Please join us, and share this event with your friends and discuss on social media using #ISTANDSUNDAY. Those threatened in Houston need believers from across the nation to stand with them for the right to freely proclaim the whole truth. Visit istandsunday.com for more information.
