This Christmas Season: A Call to Joy

OOS

I. Welcome

A. P. Dustin

II. Opening Prayer

A. Jaqui W.

— Raffle —

III. Worship - Jaqui

A. Songs:

a. Joy to the World

b. Angels WE Have Heard On High

c. The First Noel

d. Away In a Manger

e. O Come All Ye Faithful

— Raffle —

IV. Announcements

A. Every1 Eats VT

a. Free Meal for folks who’ve been econ. impacted by COVID

b. Dates: WED 12/9 & THURS 12/19 9am-2pm

c. Sign up @Bringing u VT

B. Christmas Caroling

a. 12/17 @6pm in our park

C. Christmas Eve Service

a. 12/24 @6pm

D. Food Pantry

a. our heart to provide a Ham Dinner for our clients to cook on Christmas Day

Would u consider donating a ham or $$ toward the ham.

Food Pantry Distribution will b Fri 18th

Please have donations in by Close o Business Thurs 17th

E. Green Mountain Christmas

a. 131 Fams 357 kids recieved gifts

F. Pray 4 & Dismiss kiddos

V. Sermon

VI. Offering

A. Song: Messiah

SERMON

— Raffle —

INTRO

I. Where We’ve been

A. The Christmas Season is upon us!!

a. Last week we started building up 2 our Christmas Eve Service

1. At the Christmas eve service we read scripture, pray, sings songs, light candles

i. Ea. candle we light has a meaning behind it honoring Jesus & what his coming 2 earth ushered in...

2. Last week we focused on the Hope Candle

II. Where We’re Going

A. “If 2020 was… pics”

a. show slides

b. We kinda get the idea o what folks r feeling about this past yr, huh?

Seems like folks could use some joy. what about u?

What r some things that bring u joy? — why?

Some things that bring me joy—

i.

c. Joy is extreme happiness that cannot be deterred by present circumstances.

Happiness comes & goes based on circumstances, but joy is steady & can only b found through God & his actions

i. God sent a messenger, an angel, (describe scene)

Take a look @what the msg was

III. Main Text

Luke 2:8–12 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

IV. Prayer

BODY

I. The Good News

A. The Good news is That a baby is born

a. The birth o a child is a wondrous blessing & the moment is more than joyous!

this joy is magnified when God acts miraculously

i. Illust. Abygail

2. But this child isn’t just any child!

b. The angel declares that the baby is “ a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”

1. This child is savior

i. which means he would 1 day rescue people frm their sin & the resulting danger o judgement

2. This child is the Christ

i. which means he is set apart for & by God

3. This child is the Lord

i. Which means he would 1day rule & reign as the king of God’s kingdom

ii. when u put christ the lord 2gether, this baby is king o kings & lord o lords!!

-God cut in on this run-of-the-mill, ordinary night & turned it extraordinary

*But what does this mean for ordinary people?

Luke 2:13–14 ESV

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

B. It means that this marks the time of God’s peace & blessing!

a. Through this baby, there will b a way to live permanent peace w/God under his blessing

How do the shepherds respond? — well...

Luke 2:16 ESV

16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

A. The Shepherds were filled w/great Joy

a. Excited & w/out delay they ran to where the angels told em

1. It was exactly as they were told

b. the shepherds described all that had happened (could u imagine their excitement & talking over ea. other)

but look @what this good news produced:

Luke 2:20 ESV

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

c. The good news produced joy in them

1. When we keep our thoughts grounded on the fact that Jesus came & made a way 4 us 2 live in peace w/God forever it produces that same Joy

2. Take a look at what the apostle Paul (1 o the original church founders) said in...

Romans 15:12–13 ESV

12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

i. As we trust Jesus (the root o Jesse) more & more & salvation through Jesus’ death & resurrection God fills us w/joy

we all have a joy tank (can get empty during long seasons of sorrow & difficulty)

God wants to fill ur joy tank

our part— believing (trusting)

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Colossians 1:20 ESV

20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

B. Wise-Men were filled w/great Joy (Describe the scene)

Matthew 2:10–11 ESV

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

a. Their response as they saw the star over Mary & Joseph’s house was

1. exuberance & bubbling over joy.

2. They fell down & worshiped Jesus and were glad to sacrifice great wealth for Jesus.

C.

— Raffle —

OFFERING

I. Invite the Worship Team Up

II. Thank u 4 ur generous gifts

A. It’s by your giving that:

a. keep the lights on

b. continue to stream live

c. help those in need

d. continue renovations even through the pandemic

1. God has called us to move forward not hunker down / stall out

III. 3 ways to give

A. online: greenmtn.org

B. text the word “give” to [phone]

a. already gave via text: just text the amount to that same #

C. mail a check to 440 Main St. in Bennington

IV. A continued need above ur tithe & Offering:

A. Building Fund!

a. lots o maintenance & renovation to b done

1. Can select when u fill out the web based form

2. Or put Building fund in the memo line of ur check

V. Close in Prayer

A. Song: “Messiah”