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Christmas Together is the theme of the Christ’s Birthday Observance for 2021. After all this time away from our workplaces, or isolated at home, or sick, or quarantined, or even facing the loss of loved ones without the means of properly mourning their death with little delay, we need a season of Christmas…

Power is appealing. Those who have it don’t want to lose it. Those who don’t have it will try and get it. Power is also very subtle and sometimes we do not even know its influence on us until we stop and reflect. Relationships are powerful. We were created to live in community with others. The role of…

Life is short. The sooner this powerful, yet simple, truth is grasped the greater the change we can have. Kids don’t stay kids for long. We do not like to wait. Does anyone really like to wait? I don’t at times. We talk about patience being a virtue but the reality is many of us do not want the virtue.…

Seeing is believing. Or at least that is what we like to say. Or another phrase, “I’ll believe it when I see it!” Is this really true? Reality is that if we think we already have things figured out, or unwilling to actually “see” things differently, what happens doesn’t matter. This evening I submit…

Christmas is a wonderful time of year. Full of goodies, treats and surprises! I have a surprise for you tonight. We are going to pass the offering plates tonight. So if you men would come forward please. However, tonight is special, instead of putting something into the plate, I would like you to take…

Everlasting Father: The Infant Father 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall…

What child is this Who lay to rest On Mary's lap is sleeping Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping This this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing Haste haste to bring him laud The babe the Son of Mary So bring him incense gold and myrrh Come peasant…

Intro 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.…

As many of you know, last week we began a study of some of the writings of the prophet Isaiah which relate to the birth of Christ for our journey through Advent this year. Since we were not here together and some of you were not able to join us on Facebook, let me recap some of what we talked about last…

Christian Love Let love be without hypocrisy Christian love should be authentic (not fake, but reliable, trustworthy) Not for personal gain Not for others to applaud us Not so others will be indebted to us Christian love should be objective rather than subjective Subjective love - based on preference,…

The OT points ahead to the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. Christ’s fulfilment of OT prophecy is often noted by NT writers as a demonstration of God’s faithfulness to his promises of salvation and as confirmation of the divine authority of Jesus Christ.

Through this pair of heavenly wonders, a trio of important characters involved in the tribulation account are described.

Immanuel has come, God is with us.

"Christmas time is here", so the kids sing the opening song of "A Charlie Brown Christmas." A holiday favorite. Along with many other holiday favorites. But is it possible that what we look forward to the most this time of year are all the trappings of Christmas? The lights. Tinsel. Non-stop Christmas songs. And of course, Santa at the tail end of the Christmas parade. But what would Christmas look like with the trappings chiseled away, with only Jesus there? Join the Grace United crew as we explore the first of 4 pictures of who Jesus really is: Christ as the Light of the world.

Christmas is a celebration of that first Christmas when they, 'welcomed' Jesus into the world. But why did they welcome Him? Moreover, our Christmas carols talk about 'receiving' Him, like "Let earth receive her King." What's that all about? Why do we do this every year? Why is Jesus the central figure at Christmas?

First Sunday of Advent

Saint Nicholas I want to tell you about the day Nicky slapped a bishop. In AD 325 Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea, the very first ecumenical council. More than 300 bishops came from all over the Christian world to debate the nature of the Holy Trinity. It was one of the early church’s…

The Promise of the Messiah and it's fulfilment

Introduction: Isaiah 7:14 is set during the Syro-Ephraimite war in the 730’s bc (734 BC?). Therefore, this prophecy was made at least 730 years before the birth of Christ. So, how/why did this prophecy come about in the first place? Initially, a prophecy/sign was to be given Ahaz Ahaz was the eleventh…

Christmas shows us that God takes ordinary lives and does extraordinary things with them. The shepherds who were often dismissed play a prominent role in proclaiming the message of Emmanuel, God is with us.

Introduction Opening Illustration: Police Sirens A while back I saw a videok of a crime being committed. There were some folks who were up to no good and they were putting civilians at risk with their behavior. Eventually, the video shows that a team of police cars swarmed the scene. And those blue flashing…

The Christmas story of Jesus’ birth begins with a dilemma. Mary’s pregnancy creates a real issue for Joseph. He is not the father; this situation not only creates personal pain; it also could cause a public scandal. Joseph chooses not to disgrace Mary, but instead he will divorce her, the best that could be hoped for in this situation. However, the Spirit of God moves Joseph from doing good out of a sense of obligation to the revelation of God’s extraordinary plan. When God calls us to move beyond our duty, God is with us.