Posts made in December, 2015

Hales Chapel Family, Merry Christmas! Last Wednesday evening 53 of us went Christmas caroling. We had a wonderful time, and I think the visit and singing were appreciated by the ones who were on our circuit. Special thanks to Larry and Greg for driving, Lara for organizing and leading the singing, and Regina and crew for the refreshments. Last Sunday we enjoyed having Corey and Ashlee Ickes with us. Corey did a great job giving us insights into the ministry and life in Vermont, and a challenging sermon. Let’s continue to pray for them. Our Hallelujah Goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions is $9,000. As of last Sunday we had received $3983.74. Let’s give generously and sacrificially to support the missionaries serving through the IMB. Don’t forget the Pennies in a Barrel completion between the Sunday School classes. Positive Points in your “barrel” will be earned by pennies, cash, and checks. Negative points in other barrels will be earned by quarters, nickels and dimes. Let’s have fun and let’s raise money for Lottie! Mark your calendar for the Fellowship Meal and Cook-Off Competition on Sunday, January 3, 2016. We will vote for our favorite soup and chili, and once again the money will go towards our Lottie Moon Goal. Enjoy good food and support missions—what a great combination! We will be having a Christmas Eve Service on December 24th at 5:00 PM. We will sing beautiful Christmas music, hear the reading of the Christmas story, a challenge from God’s Word, and observe the Lord’s Supper. We will be finished by 5:45 PM, so you will have plenty of time for family activities. After the service, our family will sit down for our annual viewing of “It’s A Wonderful Life.” At some point during the movie I will fall asleep but I will wake up before it is over. Please, remember that we will not have Wednesday activities on December 23rd or 30th. From The Simons’ Family: We would like to extend a huge and heart felt thank-you for the giving and prayers offered for our family to help in providing a new wheelchair for Thomas. We are excited to say that is set for delivery this week! Devotional Thought: I want to focus on Luke 2:8-20, which is about the shepherds hearing the news and going to the manger. 11 “Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” The message is straight forward: Jesus is the Savior, the Messiah, and the Lord. The message remains the same today. 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,...

Hales Chapel Family, Merry Christmas! I know Thanksgiving was last month but I believe we should be thankful for the wonderful Christmas musical production of “Ready to Shine” that we had last weekend. The cast did a marvelous job with the acting. The choir songs and solos were beautifully sung. The costumes, stage, and props were perfect for the musical. Lara did a great job with directing the music and Keith did a great job directing the acting. As I noted at the conclusion of the musical, Lara wrote the script, the song lyrics, and music as well as prepared the soundtrack. Amazing. The Gospel was clearly presented. Thanks for the ones who provided and served the food each night. Thanks to all who attended. Our Hallelujah Goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions is $9,000. Let’s give generously and sacrificially to support the missionaries serving through the IMB. Don’t forget the Pennies in a Barrel completion between the Sunday School classes. Positive Points in your “barrel” will be earned by pennies, cash, and checks. Negative points in other barrels will be earned by quarters, nickels and dimes. Let’s have fun and let’s raise money for Lottie! Mark your calendar for the Fellowship Meal and Cook-Off Competition on Sunday, January 3, 2016. We will vote for our favorite soup and chili, and once again the money will go towards our Lottie Moon Goal. Enjoy good food and support missions—what a great combination! Bullet Point Announcements: December 16th at 6;30 Church-Wide Christmas Caroling December 20th, Corey Ickes preaching December 24th, Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 PM January 3rd, Fellowship Meal and Cook-Off Competition Devotional Thought: In Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph learns that Mary is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. You have to be impressed with Joseph’s reactions. First, he did not want to hurt the woman he loved. Second, when he heard the message from the Lord, he believed, even though he knew what would be thought and said. 21 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Jesus’ mission: save us from our sins. Mission accomplished. 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” That’s what the incarnation is about: God with us. What kind of God sends His son to be born in a manger and to die on a cross? A God who loves us enough to send the best to pay the price that we cannot pay. A God who loves...

Hales Chapel Family, This is the weekend for the annual Christmas play! Please, be preparing to attend and to invite others to attend the Christmas musical, “Ready to Shine!” on December 12th and 13th at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary. Let’s come together to enjoy the wonderful musical but more importantly to worship the Lord. Pray for Lara, Keith, the choir, and the actors and actresses. Pray that the lost will be confronted with the Gospel and that the saved will worship the Lord of the Gospel. Our Hallelujah Goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions is $9,000. Let’s give generously and sacrificially to support the 4,200 missionaries serving through the IMB. Don’t forget the Pennies in a Barrel completion between the Sunday School classes. Positive Points in your “barrel” will be earned by pennies, cash, and checks. Negative points in other barrels will be earned by quarters, nickels and dimes. Let’s have fun and let’s raise money for Lottie! Mark your calendar for the Fellowship Meal and Cook-Off Competition on Sunday, January 3, 2016. We will vote for our favorite soup and chili, and once again the money will go towards our Lottie Moon Goal. Enjoy good food and support missions—what a great combination! Food Drive for Building 323: Canned goods and other non-perishable food items will be collected in the bins in the hallway in the educational building through Sunday, December 13th. Let’s generously give to assist those in need in our own community. Bullet Point Announcements: December 9th, Special Business Meeting – Annual Budget December 12th and 13th at 7:00 PM, Christmas Play: Ready to Shine! December 13th, Kaitlyn and David Townsend providing an update in the worship service December 16th at 6;30 Church-Wide Christmas Caroling December 20th, Corey Ickes preaching December 24th, Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 PM ​January 3rd, Fellowship Meal and Cook-Off Competition Devotional Thought: The Christmas play will have beautiful music so let’s focus on Luke 1:46-56, which is Mary’s Song.46 And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. Mary does not focus on her goodness or greatness for being chosen. She focuses on the greatness of the Lord. She knows she is blessed but the focus is not on her but on the Lord. 47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, Even the mother of Jesus needed a Savior in whom she could rejoice. She is rejoicing but again in is not in herself or for the opportunity she has but in the God. 48 because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. She sees herself as...

Hales Chapel Family, We started our emphasis on the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions last Sunday as we were encouraged and challenged by John and Sarah Davenport, IMB missionaries. Our Hallelujah Goal is $9,000. As of Sunday we have received $928.50, so we have made an excellent start. Let’s give generously and sacrificially to support the 4,200 missionaries serving through the IMB. Please, be preparing to attend and to invite others to attend the Christmas musical, “Ready to Shine!” on December 12th and 13th at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary. The group has worked hard—and continues to have rehearsals. Let’s come together to enjoy the wonderful musical but more importantly to worship the Lord. Food Drive for Building 323: Canned goods and other non-perishable food items will be collected in the bins in the hallway in the educational building through Sunday, December 13th. Let’s generously give to assist those in need in our own community. Bullet Point Announcements: December 2nd, Family Meal 5:30-6:50 PM December 12th and 13th at 7:00 PM, Christmas Play: Ready to Shine! December 13th, Kaitlyn and David Townsend providing an update in the worship service December 20th, Corey Ickes preaching December 24th, Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 PM Devotional Thought: Luke 1:26-38, which deals with Mary finding out about her part in the birth of Jesus. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Each time I read verse 29 I start laughing. Yeah, I bet she was wondering what in the world is going on here. What is going here? I think it is safe to assume she was not used to angels talking to her when Gabriel gave her this greeting. 37″ For nothing will be impossible with God.” Virgin birth. Resurrection from dead. I guess if God can handle those two items, He can handle anything. He can certainly be with me through whatever I go through in life. 38 “I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” When God directs, my response should be the same as Mary’s: “I am the Lord’s slave.” I must be willing to do whatever He desires. It is about what He wants rather than what I...