Sisters and brothers,
Happy Monday to all! As we worshiped on the fourth Sunday of advent, the focus of worship was God’s great love for the world, the love that sent His Son Jesus for us. Then we considered from Luke 2 that God is active all around us. He is moving and working. We saw that God can move the world to see His purposes accomplished. We saw God moves the humble to provide miraculous witness to His salvation. The old man Simeon, when he saw and held Jesus, said he had seen God’s salvation! Salvation is not a religion, philosophy, or creed. Salvation is a person. Salvation is Jesus. Jesus is salvation. We are not saved by believing a religion. We are saved by believing in Jesus, by receiving and embracing Him. We saw we also need, like Simeon, to “take Jesus in our arms,” to receive Jesus, take Him into our lives. Finally, we understood that God moves His people who long for His activity to praise Him as they see Him working. Do we have eyes to see Him? Are we looking for and expecting Him to move? God is working and He is moving all around us!
There will be no Bible Study on December 26 or January 2. We will only have morning worship on those days.
We are taking up the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions during December. 100% of this offering goes to missionaries on the field taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. When you give to the Lottie Moon offering, make your checks out to East Madison Baptist church, and use the Lottie Moon envelopes.
Our Christmas Eve service will be on Friday, December 24 at 5:00 PM.
Remember to keep praying continually for each other.
Have a wonderful week and a Merry Christmas!
Love being your pastor,
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church