Hello FBC! I hope you’re enjoying the Winter Wonderland in our valley!
And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
(Nehemiah 8:1-3 ESV)
I read a great devotional on this today, and decided to share selections from it:
“…Children who are able to read will benefit from being with their parents in worship, and it is the duty of husbands and fathers to make sure that their families hear God’s Word both in private and in public…
This is the work that God has given to preachers today. They are to read the Word of God and explain its
meaning,
so that God’s people can understand its application to their lives…
Men who seek God often find that the first effect of God’s Word is to show us our own hearts and to humble us on account of our many failures. God will often bring us to such a place of conviction, but it is never His purpose to leave us there… It is God’s joy to forgive. So let His grace and mercy soothe your repentant tears.
Hearing and understanding God’s Word led to
confession and then to rejoicing, but the chapter ends with the joy of obedience… The Word heard and understood produced confession
, rejoicing, and obedience. That’s the power of the open Book!” (Colin Smith,
ESV Men’s Devotional Bible
)
A few reminders:
Today, Dec. 15 —
Happy
Birthday
Pastor Justin!!! NO AWANA tonight due to the weather and school closure.
Saturday, Dec. 17 — 7am Men’s Breakfast!
9am — 2pm
Children’s Program practice
Sunday, Dec. 18 —
10:30am Children’s Christmas Program, “Noel Critter Motel”! 6 — 10pm
Youth Christmas Party
Wednesday, Dec. 21 — 2pm Christian Adventurers meal at Sizzler in Albany
Saturday, Dec. 24
—
6pm
“Christmas by Candlelight” service
Sunday, Dec. 25 — HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!
10:30 —
11:30am
Christmas Day Worship Service!
Thank you to everyone who has offered to bring cookies Sunday! I appreciate the great response. The kids and parents will too! Also, thank you to those who have expressed
desire
to help the McQueens with their Christmas parties for refugees. We hope to send one check from the church Monday, so if you can bring donations Sunday (clearly marked what it is for) that would be wonderful!
Stay safe. Stay warm. Most importantly, stay attentive to the Book!
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael