We'll receive offering to help Asia

On Sunday we will take a special offering to bring relief to those in Asia impacted by the disaster.

Tsunami Relief

2004 Reflections, 2005 Budget

The 2005 budget was sent out to you USPS today. The text that accompanied it is here:
http://morestill.blogspot.com/2004/12/2004-reflections.html

Psalm 63 Sunday January 2

Sunday I'll preach on Psalm 63. We may only cover verse 1:
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you,as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

I should have a king's life, if I had no other thing to do than for evermore to behold and eye my fair Lord Jesus. --Samuel Rutherford, 17th Century


God is worshipped, honored and savored both when we faint for him and when we feast on him. Fainting is the form of worship when God is distant, and feasting is the form of worship when he is near. The heart that savors God above all things will experience yearning and longing and thirsting and panting and fainting when the vision of God is distant and dim. And that same heart will experience feasting and satisfaction when the vision draws near and becomes clear. --John Piper, 20th Century

Remember, there are NO 9am classes this Sunday

We'll meet at 10:00 in the theater for worship.

Jesus Can't Stop Smiling

from one of our people:

I went to a wedding yesterday. it was so beautiful and they looked so incredibly happy. the joy on his face when the doors opened and she began walking the aisle toward him. he could hardly contain it. he wiped his eyes and just smiled endlessly.
and you know what else was cool? it was because of how well i know him that i was so moved by his reaction to his bride. i know his mannerisms, his mild temperament, his laugh, the lines on his face when he smiles...and i've never seen him so excited, so overwhelmed with his love for someone. ... it was incredible.

my first thought was - wow, to be so desired! to walk into a room and know that someone is adoring and treasuring every particle of your presence!
that was the first time i think i've ever really experienced something so close to (a shadow of) the joy and delight Christ must have for us. it was breathtaking.

Ali Karis Lammers is born!

This afternoon Ali was was welcomed into the world by Steve and Jenna, as well as older sister Zoe. She was 7 pounds and 3 ounces. Length? I can't remember but will get it.

Ashley Means is coordinating meals. You can reach her at ashley_alyn AT yahoo DOT COM

Reflecting on Yesterday

About 40 of us gathered yesterday for a time of worship. Seated at round tables we sang accapella, heared testimonies, and looked at Luke 2. It was wonderful.

I don't think I will ever forget what 10 year old Trace Stankunas shared during the open mike time we had. "This Christmas God reminded me that Christmas is not about the presents I receive, it is about Jesus coming as a baby and dying for our sins. We're filthy sinners and he loved us and came to forgive us."

There was not a dry eye in the place. I had the unique perspective of seeing Trace's grandparents in my peripheral vision... the promises of God were in neon lights in my mind.
"I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you."
--Genesis 17:7

From Mary's Magnificat: "He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation." Luke 1:49-50

It was a moment of glory. My only mistake was not taking up the offering immediately... we could've gotten enough for a piece of land AND a building.


Oh yeh,
Saw this steal and wanted to pass it on... 2 CS Lewis classics for under $10
Christianbook.com - Product Detail Page

10am tomorrow morning

We'll meet at 10:00am in the Library/Media Center at Oak Hall for an abbreviated informal service.

This is a family service, so all are welcome!

Merry Christmas...

8pm Christmas Eve at Hope Church

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Born to set Thy People Free

Half hour service of candles, carols, and Scripture. Children welcomed in the service! No childcare provided.

8pm at Hope (corner of Tower & SW 24th Ave)

Jesus, Lord at Thy Birth

Christmas Eve, 8pm at Hope Church

Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart. --Charles Wesley

I love the way that this echoes the words of Luke 2:25....describing Simeon as an old man who was waiting for "consolation of Israel". When Simeon held baby Jesus He said, "My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."
So it is, the consolation of Israel is a light to the Gentiles. Wesley nailed it when he wrote this progression: Israel, all the earth, every nation!

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus: "Israel�s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart."

A Danger at Christmas

By far the most important and significant event in the whole course of human history will be celebrated, with or without understanding, at the end of this season, Advent. The towering miracle of God’s visit to this planet on which we live will be glossed over, brushed aside or rendered impotent by over-familiarity. Even by the believer the full weight of the event is not always appreciated. JB Phillips

more

Preparing for Christmas Eve Worship

i'll be posting some of the great lyric we'll sing together...

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Joy to the World: "He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love."

Advent, Day 24

The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel;he will bless the house of Aaron; he will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great.

This morning's advent readings...
Ps. 112, 115
Rev. 20:1-10
John 5:30-47

Follow-up from Yesterday

The Christmas needs that were expressed yesterday during our Community in Action time:
St. Francis House: Children's cough syrup and other meds, coats, blankets... contact info: 413 S. Main; 378-9079

Meals on Wheels: a meal prepared and/or delivered Friday ... contact info Nancy Spikes at jwsdold AT aol DOT com

Baby Kaleb and mom Karen at Shands... contact info Kelly MacGregor at 359-6604


For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

Needs at St. Francis

St. Francis house, a downtown homeless shelter, could use toys for children. Contact Courtney Maiback to contribute. She's on the staff there.

Sunday December 19

9am classes for children and Incarnation class for adults (in media center)
10am worship, loads of carols and I'll preach on "The Forgotten Parts of Christmas"

also, start thinking/praying about friends that might be interested in Christmas Eve service, this is a time when most people want to be "in church"...

new office space

thanks for praying, we'll probably soon be moving our office operations to the Millhopper area, off NW 43rd and NW 28th Street.

Advent Day 19

Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb,
Now leaves His well-belov'd imprisonment,
There He hath made Himself to His intent
Weak enough, now into the world to come...
--John Donne

Advent Day 17

"Of our flesh and of our bone, Jesus is our brother now, and God is all our own."
--Charles Wesley

Please pray for us here at the office. We need to find new office space soon and the search hasn't yielded fruit yet. Thanks.

Day 16 of Advent

That faithful Spirit who begins the good work, effectually carries it on, and completes it. Presently He leads him to the cross of Jesus—unveils to his eye of glimmering faith a suffering, wounded, bleeding, dying Savior—and yet a Savior with outstretched arms! That Savior speaks—oh, did ever music sound so melodious?—“All this I do for you—this cross for you—these sufferings for you—this blood for you—these stretched-out arms for you. Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest—Him that comes to me, I will in no wise cast out—Look unto me, and be you saved—only believe. Are you lost? I can save you. Are you guilty? I can cleanse you. Are you poor? I can enrich you. Are you low sunk? I can raise you. Are you naked? I can clothe you. Have you nothing to bring with you—no price, no money, no goodness, no merit? I can and will take you to me, just as you are, poor, naked, penniless, worthless; for such I came to seek, such I came to call, for such I came to die.” “Lord, I believe,” exclaims the poor convinced soul, “Help You mine unbelief.” You are just the Savior that I want. --Octavious Winslow

Advent Day ?

Because Advent is a time of longing for redemption, we should use the Advent season as a period to identify the matters from which we need to be redeemed. --Robert Webber

9am classes for all ages
the mystery of the incarnation for adults, meet in media center


10am worship
children have a big part in our worship! with their Christmas presentation, "JOY"

Christmas Eve Service 8pm

We'll be having a half-hour service on the 24th at Hope Community Church (Tower & 24th)

Advent Day 12... enjoy, rest, hope! long, and wait

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:1-7

Very excited about young marrieds group studying this in 2005

Amazon.com: Books: When God Comes to Church: A Biblical Model for Revival Today

One advent quote and a link to others...

...During my young years... there was a mental wall between religion and God. I could walk around inside religion and never, on any sort of emotional level, understand that God was a person, an actual Being with thoughts and feelings and that sort of thing. To me, God was more of an idea. It was something like a slot machine, a set of spinning images that
dolled out rewards based on behavior and, perhaps, chance. --from a book called Blue Like Jazz, interesting thought in this season when we celebrate that God came down.
Reflections: Advent - Christianity Today Magazine

Children's Music Rehearsal

a reminder about the children's music rehearsal ... Tomorrow night in Oak Hall Auditorium a pizza dinner will be served from 5:30-6, and rehearsal is 6-7. All who can read need to bring their revised scripts.

Addictions... here is interview w/ great Biblical counselors

On the Radio: FamilyLife This Week - FamilyLife - Strengthening families, marriages and relationships

Levens baby born!

Mason was welcomed by Heather and Eric on Sunday!

Advent reading for Monday morning... Psalm 25

_________________________ Advent & Christmas Readings: "Ps. 25
Isa. 5:8-23"

Was Simon Mangus a Christian?

Was his profession of faith in Christ legit? What do we take from this? What is the warning here? Click below:
http://morestill.blogspot.com/2004/12/was-simon-mangus-christian.html

Advent Day 8

Why didn't the Holy Spirit come onto the Samaritans at their conversion?
Why did God give the Holy Spirit through the apostles John and Peter from Jerusalem?

http://robyadayada.blogspot.com/2004/12/delayed-reception-of-holy-spirit-in.html

Advent Gold!

Advent Day 6

Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

9am Classes for All Ages (Incarnation Class for adults)
10am Communion Service

Advent, Day 5 Thursday

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

What a prayer! Set us free! Loosen grip that our fears have on us... help us rest. Amen.

Advent, Day 4

There are two opportunities to meet with others and pray today....
12:00-12:30 at Christian Study Center
and
6:15-6:45 at Hope Community Church

"Waiting for God is an active, alert -- yes, joyful -- waiting. As we wait we remember him for whom we are waiting, and as we remember him we create a community ready to welcome him when he comes."
Henri Nouwen,
In Joyful Hope: Meditations for Advent

Advent, Day 4

There are two opportunities to meet with others and pray today....
12:00-12:30 at Christian Study Center
and
6:15-6:45 at Hope Community Church

"Waiting for God is an active, alert -- yes, joyful -- waiting. As we wait we remember him for whom we are waiting, and as we remember him we create a community ready to welcome him when he comes."
Henri Nouwen,
In Joyful Hope: Meditations for Advent