2014 advent booklet

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1 Annotated Bible Readings for each day of Advent

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Page 1: 2014 Advent Booklet

  

Annotated Bible Readings

for each day of Advent

Page 2: 2014 Advent Booklet

 

God’s Light is Shining!

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

on them light has shined. Isaiah 9:2

In Advent we light candles that celebrate and claim the hope, the peace, the joy and the love that are ours through

the saving power of God in Christ.

With the lighting of each candle and the reading of God’s Word, may the Holy Spirit bring illumination and

understanding to your spirit.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

John 1:5

Annotated Bible Readings for each day of Advent

Sardis Presbyterian Church

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November 30

The Prophet Candle, the candle of hope 

First Sunday in Advent 

 

 

Read: Isaiah 9:2 -7 In this passage, the Prophet promises light that will overcome darkness, that there will be a time of rejoicing, there will be an end of oppression and a child will be given. The passage concludes that these things will occur because the “zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” This is what gives us hope! Zeal is defined as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.” Imagine what it means that the Lord, our sovereign God, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, is working zeal-ously for us! Our God does not issues passive decrees to govern the world, our God cares deeply for us and with the greatest of all energy is pursuing our good. We light a candle of hope; our hope is anchored in God who works with zeal among us. Reflect: Where are your heart and spirit zealously focused this Advent? Family Worship Candle Lighting: Light the first purple candle and say- “Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 Read aloud Isaiah 9:2-7 Why do we light this candle? This candle reminds us of the promise of the prophets that a Messiah would come, bringing peace and love to the world. Centuries ago, people thought God was very distant. They only thought of God in fear. The prophets helped them see God in a new way, and Jesus came to show us what God is really like. Prayer: Loving God, our hearts desire the warmth of your love, and our minds are searching for your Word. Increase our longing for Christ in our lives and help us to grow in our faith this Advent Season. Amen.

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Monday, December 1 Prophet Hope– God’s Constant Presence 

Read: Isaiah 7:10-17 This is a word of reassurance that within all of life, God is Emmanuel, “God with us.” It was first a word to King Ahaz of Israel, who was in great fear of armies coming against Israel (“these two kings,” vs. 16). The prophet Isaiah sought to reassure Ahaz that God’s sure presence was great-er than any battles he anticipated. With the birth of Jesus, his ministry and resurrection we know the fullness of what it means that God is Emmanuel. In Christ we meet God incarnate, become flesh. Christ knows exactly what it means to be the people we are, (read Hebrews 4:14-16), he is able to provide the very help and guidance we need, and by his saving death assures us that ab-solutely nothing will ever separate us from God’s love. Christ has promised to be with us always, even to the close of the age. Reflect: Where do you most need the assurance that God is with you today?

 

Tuesday, December 2

Prophet Hope 

Read: Micah 5:2-5 This would have been a surprising prophecy to the first recipients. Micah was active as a prophet nearly 400 years after the reign of David. By Micah’s time all the focus was on Jerusalem – capital of the nation, home of the Temple. Jerusalem was the seat of power, the origin of leadership. These words from Micah challenged the belief in the source of power. These words would have reminded the people that David had not come from the world’s seat of power, but from a “back-water” place, Bethlehem. God had given David his power. Now there is a promise that from, that same insignificant place God would bring forth another leader in the line of David. This one would come in the majesty of God, feed the flock, secure the land, and bring them peace, real peace. Reflect: Where do you find your power?

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Read: Jeremiah 30:15-17 Verse 15 is quoted in the Gospel of Matthew, as a prophecy that was fulfilled in the story of Herod’s response to the trickery of the wise men (Mt. 2:16-18). As the gospel writer describes the horror of Herod killing the children, the quote from Jeremiah would have reminded his first readers of a previous time of national grief. They would have been reminded of the national horror of Jerusalem being conquered by Babylon in 587 BCE. The full passage in Jeremiah speaks of healing beyond horror. When the gospel writer used it with the description of the killing of the chil-dren by Herod, his readers would have been comforted – great as the crisis was before them, they too would know healing beyond the horror. Reflect: Do you need to claim God’s promise of healing beyond horror or difficulty?

 

Wednesday, December 3 Prophet Hope 

Read: Luke 1:68-79 These are the words of prophecy, spoken by Zachariah, father of John the Baptist. He had been struck mute when he did not believe the angel’s report that he would have a son. The angel told him he was to name the child John. When the child was born, Zachariah “announced” the child’s name by writing” John” in the dirt. With this act, Zachariah’s silence was lifted and he began praising God. His prophecy combines words from the Hebrew prophets and the Psalms to create a revelation of the great things God was about to bring forth in the birth of Christ. Zachariah was steeped in the ancient teachings, able to use his knowledge to interpret what God was doing in his time, and proclaim with certainty the new things that God would accom-plish through a special child to be born. Reflect: How “steeped” are you in the Scriptures? Do you have a familiarity with the Bible that it can give you light in the present and hope for the future?  

 

Thursday, December 4 Prophet Hope 

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Read: Matthew 2:13-18 When the Holy family was warned that Herod was threatening to kill all the children, they fled to Egypt for safety. The prophet quoted in Matthew is Hosea. The prophet was active over seven centuries before the birth Christ and his prophecies sought to re-mind the people of God’s faithfulness to them through the ages. In Hosea 11:1 the prophet reminded the Jewish people of God’s faithfulness in rescuing his people from their oppression in Egypt – through his servant Moses. As the gospel writer recalls this prophetic word from Hosea he too was using the history of God’s faithfulness to reassure God’s people in the present crisis with Herod. In the centuries before, as slaves in Egypt they had experienced a cruel leader like Herod; they had faced the Pharaoh who had given orders to kill all Hebrew sons. When the gospel writer quotes Hosea, the words serve to teach us two important things about God’s work in Christ:1, throughout the centuries the way of God with God’s people was to work for their deliverance, and 2, that God would send a deliverer to walk with God’s peo-ple to lead them from oppression into hope. Moses was God’s deliverer who led the people to the Promised Land; Jesus Christ was God’s deliverer who will lead all generations to abundant life in God’s eternal kingdom. The God who repeatedly demonstrated his faithfulness to his people is faithful still. Reflect: Do you need a deliverer, is there a needed “exodus” in your life? Is God calling you to share the good news of God’s faithful deliverance with someone else?

 

Friday, December 5 Prophet Hope 

 

Saturday, December 6 Prophet Hope 

Read: Isaiah 40:3-5 The prophet presented the great word of hope to the Jewish exiles of Babylon, that the time would come when God would bring them back home from their time of exile and they would see the glory of the Lord revealed in a powerful way. The prophet spoke of the work that would be done to create roads to return to Jerusalem. The gospel writer in Matthew, (3:3), understood the words not only spoke to the Jews in the centuries before Christ, but spoke to the people of God about John the Baptist. John was not building roads in the wilderness, but was working to build roads into human hearts and spirits to make them receptive to Jesus Christ. Reflect: Is your heart in any needs of “road construction”? Do you need to be like John the Bap-tist for someone else, do you need to build a road for someone to enable them to see Jesus?

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December 7

The Bethlehem Candle, the candle of peace Second Sunday in Advent 

Read: Luke 2:1-4 Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem without any expectation of peace. They went because Em-peror Augustus had proclaimed the necessity for a census to be taken across the Roman Empire, a census that would lead to a tax assessment of the subjects of the empire and equip the empire to maintain its domination. The trip would facilitate a tax burden, hardly a peaceful prospect. They trav-eled while Mary was “great with child.” While Bethlehem was the ancestral home of Joseph, it was not where they lived and their travels took them away from the “comforts” of the familiar home they knew, at this critical time in the pregnancy. So much was ahead in Bethlehem to fear and dread, yet great as that fear, greater were the purposes of God. In the words of the carol, “…Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light..” In spite of human purposes, in Bethlehem was born the peace that passes all understanding. We light a candle of peace, a peace that the world will never give. Reflect: Where can you claim God’s peace bringing healing in the darkness?

Read aloud Luke 2: 4-5 Why does the second candle symbolize? The second candle reminds us that the words of the prophets were to be fulfilled in the birth in the town of Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem on the orders of the Emperor. Mary was soon to have the baby Jesus. God had told the world where Jesus was to be born and now all the plans, all the waiting for the birth of Jesus were soon to be fulfilled. Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are coming closer to our celebration of the birth of Your Son. Help us to remember the wonder of that night and the peace that comes as a gift to all who open their hearts to the Christ Child. Amen.

Family Worship Candle Lighting: Light two purple candles and say-“Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 

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Monday, December 8 God’s Peace 

Read: Isaiah 11:1-10 The expected Messiah, son of David, son of Bethlehem, was to be a Messiah of peace. According to Isaiah’s prophecy, in the Messiah’s kingdom ancient enemies would live peaceably with one another, no one would hurt or destroy in that kingdom. Jesus Christ was God’s Messiah of peace, in Jesus Christ the way was opened for reconciliation between all. The apostle Paul wrote, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconcilia-tion.” (2 Cor. 5:18) This is good news and it is a call to ministry. It is good news that God has reconciled us to himself, now our ministry is to engage in reconciliation with others. Reflect: How have you accept God’s gift of reconciliation, how are you engaged in a ministry of reconciliation?

 

Tuesday, December 9 God’s Peace 

Read: Luke 2:25-32 In this passage is recorded the praise of a righteous man, Simeon. All of his life he had prayed that he might see God’s Messiah. Then after a lifetime of praying, his prayer was answered when Joseph and Mary presented the infant Jesus in the Temple. With the recognition of the Messiah he experienced a deep peace, an assurance that God was working out his purposes for human-kind. Simeon is a remarkable example of waiting for prayers to be answered. Sometimes our prayers and yearnings are fulfilled answered; sometimes that for which we pray may take a lifetime. Simeon is a reminder that God will faithfully answer and that the peace that God alone can give to us in Christ is worth the wait. Reflect: Have you experienced a long season of unanswered prayer? What have you learned in the waiting?

On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a

signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of

him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. Isaiah 11:10

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Read: Luke 19:37-44 There are two references to “peace” within this passage. The first reference is to peace, used as a greeting, shouted by the crowd welcoming Jesus with waving palms. They praised Jesus whom they hoped would be a conquering king whose delivery of political victory would bring peace to the land and blessing to heaven. The palm parade is quickly followed by Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and here is a second reference to “peace.” It is spoken by Jesus who, before entering the city, is struck with grief. Jesus he weeps for the people who have no understanding of what will bring last-ing peace to them. Reflect: Can you recall a time when your long held expectations got in the way of recognizing God’s truth, of seeing the things that truly make for peace?

 

Wednesday, December 10 God’s Peace 

 

Thursday, December 11 God’s Peace 

Read: John 14:25-27 Christ promises to give us his peace, not a peace that is like the peace given by the world. Jesus promises to give us, through the Holy Spirit, a peace that keeps us stable and gives us strength. It is a peace that depends not on the stability of the world, but it all depends on the certain faithful-ness of God. Reflect: We have been given Christ’s gift of peace, what are ways we can reflect and give that peace to others?

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name

of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in

the highest heaven!” Luke 19:38

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Friday, December 12 God’s Peace 

Read: John 20:19-23 The setting is evening on the first Easter. The disciples who had denied and deserted Jesus in the time of his arrest and crucifixion have received reports of Jesus’ resurrection, but they have, themselves, not seen him. They are still afraid, behind locked doors, and suddenly Jesus appears to them. Two times he says, “Peace be with you.” For those disciples to whom Jesus had promised peace as the world does not give, the words would have been far more than a simple greeting. They were words of reaffirmation and forgiveness. Despite their faithlessness, Jesus was faithful to them. Christ’s peace continued to be offered to them, they had been forgiven. Then they are commissioned to be bearers of God’s forgiving peace to others. Reflect: Who needs you to extend God’s gift of forgiveness to them?

 

Saturday, December 13 God’s Peace 

Read: Ephesians 2:12-22 Jesus Christ came not only to bring peace between God and each of us, but Christ has brought a peace that heals divisions between all people. Peace is possible, through Christ, between people who for generations have been at odds with one an-other. In this passage, the apostle is speaking specifically about the division between Gentiles and Jews. The reference to a “dividing wall” within the passage is not a metaphor, but referred to a literal wall at the Temple in Jerusalem that separated Jews from the Gentiles, who were confined to the Court of the Gentiles. A gentile who entered the Jewish area could be punished by death. The words of the apostle speak of the power of Christ’s love to break down barriers and make a new life of peace with others possible. Reflect: Are there walls in your life? How does your experience of God’s peace in Christ allow you to let Christ start breaking down those walls?

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December 14

The Shepherd Candle, the candle of joy

Third Sunday in Advent 

Read: Luke 2:8-18 Shepherds were, at the time of Jesus’ birth, people on the “outside”. They were considered to be people of low social standing and of no importance. Yet, these people, on the outer boundary, were the ones to whom the angels first brought the report of the greatest news ever to be announced. Kings and the powerful would also receive the good news, but the fact it was delivered first to the shepherds was a powerful statement. All people would be included in the marvelous and amazing work of God in Jesus Christ, with Christmas there is the gift of joy for all. We light a candle of joy, joy for the amazing work of God in Jesus Christ. Reflect: How might we be tempted to keep the joy of Christ to ourselves? Where do you need to open your boundaries?

Family Worship Candle Lighting: Light two purple and one pink candle (or three purple candles) and say-“Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 Read aloud Luke 2:8-18 What does the third candle symbolize? The shepherds were filled with joy on hearing the announcement of the birth of Jesus. Joy is some-thing we often feel as we prepare for Christmas. Perhaps it is because of the fun things that happen during these days. We need also to think of the joy that comes from giving. We can also be filled with joy from knowing that Jesus came into this world so that he could make it a better place for us. Prayer: Our family looks forward to the celebration of Christmas. May we experience the joy of your love. As we celebrate, may we come to love each other more. Amen.

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Monday, December 15 Joy in Christ 

Read: John 10:1-14 Jesus used the example of a shepherd’s care for his sheep as a metaphor for the care he provided for his “flock.” This care involves certain guidance, protection from threats, needed sustenance (pasture), knowledge of each person/sheep, and willingness to lay down his life for his flock. The end result of such comprehensive care and protection is that life – abundant life – is assured for disciples of Christ. The certain promise of abundant life in Christ, this is a gift for which we rejoice! Reflect: How do you experience abundance in your life as a follower of Christ?

 

Tuesday, December 16 Joy in Christ 

Read: Matthew 6:25-33 One of the greatest deterrents to experiencing joy is worry. Worries shift all of our attention to ourselves. We worry about whether we have enough, we worry if we are doing enough, we worry if we are liked by others, we worry if we will be successful. Then the vicious cycle starts, every time we think we have done enough, we wonder if we couldn’t do more. We make our security all about us. Jesus directs us to another path for security: trust in a loving God who knows what you need (vs.32). Releasing the burden of making your security all about yourself opens space for God to bear that burden, it opens space for joy. Reflect: What worries block joy in your life? What worries do you need to give to God?

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Wednesday, December 17 Joy in Christ 

Read: Luke 15:11-24 In this familiar parable that we call the parable of the prodigal son, our attention is often on the sons. The most important place for attention is on the father: he is at the window watching for the son to return, he exudes with joy at the return, and he forgives without condition or limits. Jesus told the parable to demonstrate what our heavenly Father is like. Our heavenly Father is one is filled with joy when we return. What an image, God jumping for joy when we come home! Reflect: How is God calling you home, calling you to return?

 

Thursday, December 18 Joy in Christ 

Read: Luke 19: 1-9 Zacchaeus was not just a “wee little man,” he was guilty of fraud, of working on behalf of the en-emy (the Roman government), he was completely unworthy in the eyes of his fellow Jews and rejected by them. Yet, as bad as his reputation, he climbed a tree so that he could see Jesus over the crowd. We don’t know his motive, whether he was merely curious or maybe he knew his life was empty, but he did climb that tree which suggests he was open to something new. Jesus used that and gave him an ac-ceptance and connection beyond any expectation he could have had. His life was filled with joy. Not only does God wait for our return home (parable of the prodigal son), God loves us so much that if we don’t come to God, in Christ God comes home to us. Reflect: In Rev. 3:20, the Lord promised “I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” Is God knock-ing at your door?

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Friday, December 19 Joy in Christ 

Read: Matthew 26:6-13 When the woman anointed Jesus’ head with costly ointment, its cost being the equivalent of 120 days’ wages, the disciples complained about the excessive show. They saw it as a waste of re-sources, the money used to buy the ointment could have been used instead to care for the poor. One has to imagine that, when they complained, the disciples expected Jesus to agree with them. They had witnessed his self-denial and care for the poor so many times before, but Jesus did not refuse the woman’s gift. Jesus recognized that her action was an act of love, a demonstration of the joy that had filled her being with her recognition of Christ’s acceptance of her. In accepting the woman’s gift, Jesus was saying that there is a place for joy. Just as in advent there is one pink candle along with 3 purple candles of penitence, so in the life of faith – by the grace of Christ – there is always a place for joy. Reflect: What gives you joy? How can you celebrate and thank God for that joy in your life.

 

Saturday, December 20 Joy in Christ 

Read: Luke 24:36-43 It is an interesting statement that is used to describe the disciples’ reaction to seeing the risen Christ, “while in their joy they were disbelieving” or, in another translation, “they disbelieved for joy.” Both of these are like what we mean when we say, “this is too good to be true.” What an astounding message it was on that first Christmas, that God would use ordinary people like Joseph and Mary to accomplish the miracle of God becoming incarnate in Jesus Christ! How unbelievable that the announcement of good news for all the earth should be given first to lowly shepherds! How beyond comprehension it is that power of sin would be con-quered by love and gentleness on a wretched cross! God’s gracious and loving way with human-kind is astounding, it is unbelievable, it is incomprehensible, but it is TRUE. This amazing love of God is our source of deepest joy! Reflect: Is there any part of you that cannot believe the truth that God not only knows you com-pletely, but loves you completely? Offer those “unlovable” parts to God, receive the transfor-mation of joy.  

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December 21

The Angel Candle, the candle of love Fourth Sunday in Advent 

Read: Luke 1:26-38 An angel comes to Mary with an announcement. It began, as announcements from angels do, with the words, “Do not to be afraid.” She was told that she would give birth to a son, who would be the Son of the Most High. We frequently speak of Mary’s faithful acceptance of the role she was to play as the mother of Jesus and we are struck by the pose and presence of a young woman (likely about 15 years old) to accept the role she was given with the words of faith, “…let it be with me according to your word.” Our respect for Mary’s faith is appropriate, yet consider how the angel addressed her before she accepted her role, “Greetings, favored one!” Be-fore she ever showed her faithfulness, God’s love and favor were upon her. This is the message re-peated throughout the Christmas story; God’s love comes first. It is God’s love for us that enables us to respond. We light the candle of love, a love that enlightens every corner of our lives. Reflect: Do you sense God calling you to some new task? Take courage in the greatness of God’s love that goes before us, beside us, and behind us.

Family Worship Candle Lighting: Light three purple and one pink (or four purple) candles and say- “Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 Read aloud Luke 2:13-20 What does this fourth candle represent? The first candle reminds us of the promise of the prophets that a Messiah would come. The second candle reminds us of the peace that comes with faith in Jesus. The third candle reminds us the joy that we have through Jesus Christ. The fourth candle reminds us of the love that came to us from God in the birth of Jesus. We use the word love in so many ways. We say we love a person, we love pizza, we love snow in Decem-ber. The love that we have for God is our response for all that he has given us. This love causes us to do good to others and act in a way that God wants us to act. Prayer: We thank you, God, for the love that Jesus taught us. Help us to spread that love wherever we go. We know that love brings peace. May we help to bring peace to our world. Amen.

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Read: Matthew 1:18 – 24 Joseph is often the forgotten person in the nativity tableau. We think of the mother and the child, the shepherds, the angel…even the donkey. We rarely think about Joseph, but his life reveals how God’s love transforms us. Joseph was known as a righteous man, ready to do what the law required (Deut. 22:23-24) to end his betrothal to Mary. He did love Mary, as we see in his decision not to disgrace her publicly, but he had to show he loved God and God’s law more than he love Mary. The angel told him - as angels often do - not to be afraid. He was told not to fear showing his love for God in a way different from conventional expectation. Joseph’s willingness to embrace Jesus as his own son, in the line of David, was counter to his community’s expectations. His adoption of Jesus was in violation of the law, but was a vital link in God’s plan for a Messiah, descended from the throne of David, to born among God’s people. Reflect: Have you ever felt led to express your love for God in ways that put you at odds with your community’s expectations?

 

Monday, December 22 God’s love in Christ 

 

Tuesday, December 23 God’s love in Christ 

Read: I John 4:7-19 The angels kept saying - to Mary, to Joseph, to the shepherds – “Do not be afraid.” The apostle writes about not having fear as well, “There is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear,” (vs.18). The apostle’s words remind us why the angels could tell Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and us, not to be afraid. There is no need for fear because “perfect love,” has cast out all fear. Can we love perfectly? No, we cannot love perfectly, but Christ has loved us per-fectly. Christ’s perfect love for us give us strength in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9), hope in despair (2 Cor. 4:8-9), light greater than any darkness (John 1:5), and assurance that we will never be separated from that great love, (Rom. 8:37-39). Reflect: Is there any fear in your life? Do the verses listed in the above paragraph speak to your fears? Pray for openness to God’s love that overcomes our fears.

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Wednesday, December 24 God’s love in Christ 

Read: Luke 2:1 – 7 This simple, yet beautiful account of Jesus’ birth is a remarkable witness to the powerful love of God. God’s plan has come together in this passage. Overcome has been Mary’s youth and ques-tionable social standing, overcome has been Joseph’s temptation to maintain his righteousness according to community expectation, overcome has been the lack of proper accommodations for a birthing space, and even overcome has been the manipulations of the Roman empire to tighten control on the nation of Israel by conscription and taxation. In spite of all obstacles, God’s love has triumphed. In love, God has kept promises made through the generations to God’s people, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jere-miah 29:11 Reflect: As we celebrate the birth of Christ, claim God’s promise to give you a future with certain hope.  

And she gave birth to her firstborn son

and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and

laid him in a manger, because there was

no place for them in the inn. . Luke2:7

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December 25

The Christ Candle

Christmas Day 

Read: Colossians 1:9 – 19 In Christ, whose birth we celebrate and who became our resurrected Lord, there is the greatest hope, the most complete peace, the most authentic joy, the highest expression of God’s love for us! May we who have been blessed so extravagantly by God’s love for us in Jesus Christ re-spond with gratitude and thanksgiving, may we “lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” (vs. 10) We light the Christ candle, we rejoice in Christ who is our all in all. Praise be to God! Reflect: We have been given the greatest of all gifts in Jesus Christ. What “fruit” are you being called to grow and bear, now and in the New Year ahead? Family Worship Candle Lighting: Light all of the candles and say- “Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 Read aloud Luke 2:1-20 The waiting is over. Today we celebrate once again the wonder of the coming of the Christ Child. May we all keep a part of the joy and wonder of this season in our hearts throughout the entire year. Prayer: Lord, help us to be ever aware of your mercy, grace and love. Guide us this day and into the coming year to live each day as your children. Amen.

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Saturday, December 6 9:00 a.m.

Fellowship Hall $10/ family or $4/person

Sunday, December 7 3:00-3:30 p.m.

Chapel Gently-paced service

Wednesday, December 10 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Fellowship Hall $12/adult and $4/child

Saturday, December 13 5:30 p.m.

Fellowship Hall Informal contemporary service

Sunday, December 14 10:00 a.m.

During Sunday School hour Children’s Christmas Pageant

Wednesday, December 17 7:00 p.m. Chapel

A time to remember loved ones

Friday, December 19 6:00 p.m.

Sardis bus leaves parking lot at 5:45 p.m. $21/adult or $10/child

Wednesday, December 24 4:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall

7:30 & 11:00 p.m. Sanctuary Childcare available at 4:00 & 7:30 p.m.

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Sunday Worship Services 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

blended with contemporary music

11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary traditional music

Sardis Presbyterian Church 6100 Sardis Road Charlotte, NC 28270 704.366.1854

www.sardis.org