December 15, 2015

Posted By on Dec 16, 2015 |


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 us enough to provide not only the perfect sacrifice but also the perfect example for his to follow. 24 When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. Again, you have to be impressed with Joseph’s faithfulness as he did what the Lord’s angel commanded him to do.

Merry Christmas!