"Why Should You Serve a Homeless King?"

on the twenty-fourth of December, December 2023 Symbols of the Christ Since the first Sunday of Advent, we have introduced various symbols of Christ – especially those most appropriate to the Nativity. The colors used are also symbolic: WHITE – stands for purity, joy, and the bright light of truth; GREEN – represents hope and eternal life; GOLD – the is color of royalty; and RED – shows love and looks toward the day when Jesus would shed His blood for us. The Christmas lights on the tree can also be symbolic. Of course, Jesus said that he was “the Light of the world,” but He also said that we were to be lights to the world. It might be well if we thought of each of the of many small Christmas tree lights as symbols of individual Christian lives – shining out in the world of darkness with His light. Sometimes it seems as if there are more unlit or burned out lights than brightly shining ones! Today’s symbol is the red rose. The rose has been used only since the 13th century as a Christian symbol. It is the symbol of the Messianic promise, “And the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose” (Isaiah 35:1), typifying the joyful flourishing of Christ's kingdom. Also in Song of Songs 2:1 we find, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.” Of course, Solomon was referring to himself, but Christians have never been adverse to applying anything to Jesus that could be useful and give insight – and Jesus, of course, did the same thing. This is meaningful as its beauty reminds us of the beauty of the coming of the Messiah and the red color stands for the love of God that sent our Savior. Sometimes the rose is shown with a single dew drop – a “tear drop” from God as He looks on a sinful world. Even the thorns and color tell us that, after the joy, light, and expectation of Christmas, comes the crown of thorns, blood, and death on Good Friday. Ah, but thankfully, and as Paul Harvey would say, we know “the rest of the story!” Welcome to the Morning Worship of the College Heights Baptist Church The Fourth Sunday of Advent: LOVE This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10 Service begins at 10:30 AM Prelude Music Welcome & Announcements Advent Candle Lighting Music 89 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Lentz Upshaw LOVE Mike and Kathy Holmes “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” 77 “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” 98 Scripture Luke 1:26-33 Joy Edwards Message “Why Should You Serve a Homeless King?” Lentz Upshaw (Luke 1:26-33) Response “Good Christian Men Rejoice” Benediction Luke 2:14 Postlude This is real love— not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10 (NLT) 96 Calendar for this week Today 9:15 am Bible Study Classes 10:30 am Morning Worship live and online Nursery is provided during worship for preschool-aged children. 6:00 pm Hour of Prayer Wednesday 9:30 am Ladies Bible Study (in recess) 6:45 pm Conversational English Classes Thursday 7:30 pm Young Women’s Bible Study at 2140 College Heights Rd. Saturday 8:00 am Ladies Accountability Group Announcements, etc. Christmas Eve Brunch, (Just now over, but some may still be enjoying this) Thanks to all those who prepared food for this occasion. Christmas Eve Service This evening at 6:30 pm. We will celebrate Christmas Eve with a Candlelight Service and observance of the Lord’s Supper. Be sure and pick up some Christmas Eve Service cards (in the front foyer) and invite your family, friends, and neighbors. Lottie Moon Christmas Offering The “official” emphasis is over, but we will gladly accept gifts at any time! You can also give online at the church web page (see below) by clicking on “contact” tab. John Ball is “deacon for the month.” He, as well as all the others are available to help you as needed. Deacons John Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410-8168 Scott Bowman . . . . . . . 936-718-6182 Jerry Lawson . . . . . . . . 405-788-1317 John Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410-2365 George Wyatt . . . . . . . . . . . . 587-7671 2024 Bible Reading Calendars are in the foyer. Seeing Jesus Together Journals From Lentz – “Last Sunday I mentioned a resource to help you in your devotional time. You can find the journal at https://www.seeingjesustogether.com/. If you are wanting something to help you go a little deeper with the Lord in both hearing His Word and prayer, this journal is a great resource. There are 2 options, Seeing Jesus Together and SJT/Solitude. Both are the same price. The Solitude journal has more journaling pages, but it does not have some of the extra resources that the Seeing Jesus Together journal has. I would recommend “Seeing Jesus Together” to start with but either one will be fine. Please let me know if the cost of the journal is a problem.” COLLEGE HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH 2320 Anderson Avenue 785.537.7744 email: office@collegeheightsbaptist.org website: collegeheightsbaptist.org facebook: college heights baptist manhattan Lentz Upshaw, pastor lentz@collegeheightsbaptist.org