Happy New Year

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gently into the night. And He led me toward the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

Excerpt from “God Knows,” as published in The Gate of the Year by Minnie Louise Haskins (1875-1957)

Advent Readings (Mt. 2:9-12)

9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was ​— ​the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route. -- Matthew 2:9-12 (CSB)

Advent Readings (Mt. 2:1-8)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.

5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:

6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah:
Because out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”

7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.” -- Matthew 2:1-8 (CSB)

COMING SOON: Quarterly Business Meeting

Members, make plans to join us January 8 at 7:30 PM as we prayerfully consider the business of the church. Agenda & meeting materials are available in the secured document library.

Advent Readings (Lk. 2:39-40)

39 When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him. -- Luke 2:39-40 (CSB)

Advent Readings (Lk. 2:36-38)

36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. -- Luke 2:36-38 (CSB)

Holiday Service Schedule

Remember these Holiday Service adjustments:

• Tomorrow: no Fifth Sunday dinner following Morning Worship Service.

• Tuesday: New Year’s Eve Service at Back Swamp Community Church, 9 PM.

• Wednesday: no Wednesday evening service.

Advent Readings (Lk. 2:25-35)

25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

29 Now, Master,
you can dismiss your servant in peace,
as you promised.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation.
31 You have prepared it
in the presence of all peoples —
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and glory to your people Israel.

33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed ​— ​35 and a sword will pierce your own soul ​— ​that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” -- Luke 2:25-35 (CSB)

Advent Readings (Lk. 2:21-24)

21 When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus ​— ​the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord ) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons ). -- Luke 2:21-24 (CSB)

Advent Readings (Jn. 1:10-14)

Gari Melchers, The Nativity, c. 1891

10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.

14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:10-14 (CSB)