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FAMILY NEWSCOVID: We have had several couples who have been infected by COVID. Last Sunday morning we only had eleven people present for worship, and our singing at Brentwood Senior Living was canceled due to a large number of cases there including Pauline and Harold Mathis. We are glad that we had Zoom available for those who were quarantined. This has to be a message to us to improve our electronic signature so everyone can worship together, even if we are not able to be present physically. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: We will have our class on Isaiah this Wednesday, but not on the December 25 which is Christmas day or January 1 which is New Years Day. Our Sunday night classes tonight and on the 22nd and 29th will be carried on as usual. Remember that if weather causes a cancellation you will be called assuming you are on the call list. If you do not know, the call list is available. We urge you to come to these classes. A lot of work goes into preparing them, and learning is a major challenge for all of us. Learn more in '24 and come alive in '25! OUR HOLIDAY PARTY was moved from last night (due to several people not being able to attend because of illness) to Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 5:00 P.M. It will be an evening of food, fellowship, and fun. Contact Lana Fox if you have not already to let her know you are coming.
TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION: Christmas songs are special. A. Some are spoofs and some are classical works.
THERE ARE SONGS TO LEARN FROM:B. Some have a message to tell — see THE BACK PAGE below. C. Some show the ignorance of our culture. D. Our own songbook shows this: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” A. A herald is a crier — one who gives the news.
SOME SONGS ARE STEEPED IN HUMAN TRADITION:B. Incarnate means embodied in flesh — John 1:14. C. Immanuel — “God is with us.” — Matthew1:23; Isaiah 7:14 D. Wing — “healing in his wings” — Isaiah 40:31 from the Hebrew eber meaning from one’s strength. “It Came upon a Midnight Clear” A. Angels do not need golden harps — verse 1.
SOME SONGS ARE TO REJOICE AT GOD'S ACTIONS.B. Angels do not have wings — verse 2. C. “Babel” in verse 2 is a city in the plain of Shinar and is where the tower of Babel was in Genesis 10:10; 11:9 where God confused the languages of man. “Joy to the World” A. The “curse” in verse 3 is Genesis 3:17-19.
SOME SONGS ADD HUMAN ASSUMPTIONS.B. Also "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" “Silent Night, Holy Night” A. Shepherds would not be in their fields in December.
ENJOY CHRISTIAN CHRISTMAS MUSIC.B. The star in Matthew 2:2 was not celestial. 1. The “Shekinah glory” is likely.
C. The number of “wise men” is not given.2. Matthew 2:7-8 — Herod did not see the star. Zoroaster priests are likely what they were. A. Christmas is not a declaration of faith.
“They'll Know We Are Christians” is perhaps the most important song in our book.
B. Extreme views of Christmas cause skepticism. THE BACK PAGEENDING 2024 AND LOOKING AHEADThe year 2024 has been a year of incredible change. That statement is true for the nation of America, for the city of Dowagiac, and for this congregation. We have seen some good things happen in 2024. Our food pantry program has continued to grow, and while our source of food has been cut back, we have been able to find local outlets that sell to us at a reduced price. Our thanks to the Gibsons and Hoyts for making that possible. We have also been able to help unity grow in Michiana in a variety of ways. We have taken the lead in promoting the areawide singings not just in Dowagiac, but also in St. Joseph, Niles, and Buchanan. Our cooperative effort has not only glorified God, but it has encouraged and supported the work in places where the church has been struggling. Our ability to help those in need has been a blessing to many and to us as well. We have helped several families who have had an accident or a shortage of necessities, and with all that we have done we are still not hurting financially as a congregation. As we come to the end of 2024 we thank God for blessing us so that our mission work at Shults-Lewis, Glynn Langston, H.O.P.E. Prison ministry, our VBS and youth camp programs can continue. We need to turn our attention to 2025. There are some things that we desperately need to do in 2025. We need to improve our signage in front of our building. Our Zoom program is using old equipment from the Does God Exist? ministry, and it desperately needs to be replaced and updated. We need to decide if we are going to have a VBS again this year or not, and our fellowship area needs to be finished. We cannot be satisfied with just “keeping house.” It is not us that means we must self-motivate ourselves. Jesus calls us to bear fruit. Read John 15:2-16 and Matthew 25:31-46. We must work to do these things. We have the tools. Let us use them wisely. Sign saying from www.sayingsforchurchsigns.com. Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website. www.dowagiaccoc.org |
