“The Meaning of Christmas”
Psalm 51:1-2, 4, 7, 13 (English Standard Version)
51 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love… 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!… you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment… 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow… 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Ephesians 5:8-15 (Common English Bible)
8 You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, so live your life as children of light. 9 Light produces fruit that consists of every sort of goodness, justice, and truth. 10 Therefore, test everything to see what’s pleasing to the Lord, 11 and don’t participate in the unfruitful actions of darkness. Instead, you should reveal the truth about them. 12 It’s embarrassing to even talk about what certain persons do in secret. 13 But everything exposed to the light is revealed by the light. 14 Everything that is revealed by the light is light. Therefore, it says, Wake up, sleeper! Get up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. 15 So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly.
Isaiah 9:2-7 (Common English Bible)
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. 3 You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice. 4 As on the day of Midian, you’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them, the staff on their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor. 5 Because every boot of the thundering warriors, and every garment rolled in blood will be burned, fuel for the fire. 6 A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be vast authority and endless peace for David’s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.
Sunday School:
10:30 – 11:30 AM – in the Parish Hall Lower Level. A Children’s Church program is available weekly on Sunday mornings.
Nursery Ministry:
10:30 – 11:30 AM – in the Parish Hall Lower Level. Available every Sunday morning during the worship service.
Sunday Morning Worship:
10:30 AM – in the Sanctuary. Join us today for Pastor Tom Hendershot’s Third Sermon in the series “The Meaning of Christmas.”