Joy to the world! The Lord has come. Let earth receive her King!
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Christmas Caroling
Traveling a good portion of Augusta County, a group of Mt. Olivet carolers brought joy to the faces of elderly and shut-ins from Mt. Solon to Staunton to Bridgewater.
Joy to the world! The Lord has come. Let earth receive her King!
Joy to the world! The Lord has come. Let earth receive her King!
Monday, December 7, 2015
Pastor's PenPoint - "It's Better to Give ..." - December 2015
Around this time of year, we hear a phrase a lot. In fact I can remember the first time I heard it when I traveled to my aunt and uncle's house in Alexandria and was sure there were two presents under their tree for me. When I opened my gift and went looking for the second (that was never there by the way) - one of my parents uttered that famous phrase - "it is better to give than to receive." At that age I believed it was better to receive, but that was the lesson. What I had failed to give was gratitude in what I had received.
Likewise this season of Advent and Christmas, we have something to give. Something we should be eager in anticipation to give! There are 2 scriptures that point this out to us.
John 12:32, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." Here Jesus speaks specifically about His crucifixion. It is He who draws to Himself all who are to be saved. When we present to Gospel of the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus for sins, Jesus draws the sinner to Himself. He does the work, not us.
As Christians, we are to witness with truth, honesty and integrity. As the Lord presents the opportunity, we should respond in a humble and gentle spirit. And in that, we point people to Jesus. It is He alone who saves.
If we know that God's word will accomplish what God desires and that the Gospel is powerful to save and that it is Jesus who draws all men to himself, then we should realize that the responsibility of salvation does not rest on us, but on God. We are the deliverers of good news. "How shall they believe in Him who they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14). We help them hear!
These three verses should help us to gain confidence. We witness - God saves. We plant the seeds - God waters. We give - others receive. It is His word that accomplishes salvation. It is His gospel that is powerful. It is His Son Jesus who draws. We witness in power when we witness to Jesus Christ through the Word of God.
As we receive the grace and peace of God, let us bless others with the best gift this season and point others to Jesus Christ!
~ Pastor Todd
Likewise this season of Advent and Christmas, we have something to give. Something we should be eager in anticipation to give! There are 2 scriptures that point this out to us.
John 12:32, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." Here Jesus speaks specifically about His crucifixion. It is He who draws to Himself all who are to be saved. When we present to Gospel of the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus for sins, Jesus draws the sinner to Himself. He does the work, not us.
As Christians, we are to witness with truth, honesty and integrity. As the Lord presents the opportunity, we should respond in a humble and gentle spirit. And in that, we point people to Jesus. It is He alone who saves.
If we know that God's word will accomplish what God desires and that the Gospel is powerful to save and that it is Jesus who draws all men to himself, then we should realize that the responsibility of salvation does not rest on us, but on God. We are the deliverers of good news. "How shall they believe in Him who they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14). We help them hear!
These three verses should help us to gain confidence. We witness - God saves. We plant the seeds - God waters. We give - others receive. It is His word that accomplishes salvation. It is His gospel that is powerful. It is His Son Jesus who draws. We witness in power when we witness to Jesus Christ through the Word of God.
As we receive the grace and peace of God, let us bless others with the best gift this season and point others to Jesus Christ!
~ Pastor Todd
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Coming Up in December
Sunday Dec. 6 - Christmas Caroling. Meet at the church at 2:30pm.
Saturday Dec. 19 - The MMI and WMF will have a Christmas meal at Traditions Restaurant at 6:30pm.
Sunday Dec. 20, 9:30am - The children and youth will be sponsoring a breakfast in the fellowship hall. Afterwards they will be presenting a Christmas program in the sanctuary.
Thursday Dec. 24, 6:30pm - Christmas Eve candlelight service.
Saturday Dec. 19 - The MMI and WMF will have a Christmas meal at Traditions Restaurant at 6:30pm.
Sunday Dec. 20, 9:30am - The children and youth will be sponsoring a breakfast in the fellowship hall. Afterwards they will be presenting a Christmas program in the sanctuary.
Thursday Dec. 24, 6:30pm - Christmas Eve candlelight service.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Upcoming Events in November
Sunday, November 8: Commission and Board meetings after the morning worship. A light lunch will be provided.
Monday, November 9: WMF and MMI meetings at eh church at 7pm.
Saturday, November 14: Ladies Inspirational Fellowship Time (LIFT) at the Sangerville Ruritan Hall at 8am. Our MMI group will be serving the lunch for the event.
Sunday, November 15: Thankoffering Sunday - guest speaker will be Jerry Dove from the Gideons.
Tuesday, November 17: The WMF and MMI will be serving the Bridgewater Retirement Community Street Luncheon at the church at 12 noon.
Wednesday, November 18: The WMF and MMI will be serving a meal to the Sangerville Ruritans at 7pm.
Tuesday, November 24: Community Thanksgiving Service at Emmanuel COB at 7pm.
Monday, November 9: WMF and MMI meetings at eh church at 7pm.
Saturday, November 14: Ladies Inspirational Fellowship Time (LIFT) at the Sangerville Ruritan Hall at 8am. Our MMI group will be serving the lunch for the event.
Sunday, November 15: Thankoffering Sunday - guest speaker will be Jerry Dove from the Gideons.
Tuesday, November 17: The WMF and MMI will be serving the Bridgewater Retirement Community Street Luncheon at the church at 12 noon.
Wednesday, November 18: The WMF and MMI will be serving a meal to the Sangerville Ruritans at 7pm.
Tuesday, November 24: Community Thanksgiving Service at Emmanuel COB at 7pm.
Pastor's Penpoint - "Thanksgiving for the Coming of Advent" - November 2015
And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:12-13)
I know, I know. The Christmas season still seems a long way away. Unless you've been to one of the stores that has had Christmas decorations out since Labor Day. But the Advent season will be upon us the last Sunday in November.
Seems fitting right after Thanksgiving, a time when we acknowledge all that we have been blessed with, that we right away turn our attention to the child that held within his birth the hope of humanity for all time.
Among Christians, Advent celebrates the coming of the Savior, a period of expectant waiting and preparation - both for the birth and earthly ministry of Christ and for His return.
Advent is traditionally celebrated the four Sundays before Christmas as a means of preparing our hearts for the miraculous birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Each Sunday is marked with the lighting of a candle that represents hope, peace, joy and love. The fifth candle represents the birth of the Christ - we will again light the fifth candle at our Christmas Eve Service.
The word Advent is derived from the Latin "adventus", which means "coming". It's telling and re-telling the story of why God came into this world and also pointing and looking forward to His coming again.
Before we get caught up in the holiday rush ... let's begin now to prepare ourselves for the offering of thanksgiving - and the reality of an approaching child.
Hoping your coming weeks are "calm and bright."
~Todd
I know, I know. The Christmas season still seems a long way away. Unless you've been to one of the stores that has had Christmas decorations out since Labor Day. But the Advent season will be upon us the last Sunday in November.
Seems fitting right after Thanksgiving, a time when we acknowledge all that we have been blessed with, that we right away turn our attention to the child that held within his birth the hope of humanity for all time.
Among Christians, Advent celebrates the coming of the Savior, a period of expectant waiting and preparation - both for the birth and earthly ministry of Christ and for His return.
Advent is traditionally celebrated the four Sundays before Christmas as a means of preparing our hearts for the miraculous birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Each Sunday is marked with the lighting of a candle that represents hope, peace, joy and love. The fifth candle represents the birth of the Christ - we will again light the fifth candle at our Christmas Eve Service.
The word Advent is derived from the Latin "adventus", which means "coming". It's telling and re-telling the story of why God came into this world and also pointing and looking forward to His coming again.
Before we get caught up in the holiday rush ... let's begin now to prepare ourselves for the offering of thanksgiving - and the reality of an approaching child.
Hoping your coming weeks are "calm and bright."
~Todd
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Preparing for Winter
19 people from Mount O spent a cool morning this morning cutting and delivering firewood to widows and others in the community. We thank God for strength and safety and for all those who helped. 10 truckloads were delivered.
Pastor's Penpoint - "Church Mice" - October 2015
"Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." (Titus 1:21)
Fall (or Autumn) is my favorite season of the year. I enjoy wearing sweaters, seeing God's tapestry and mastery on display in the leaves that turn and soup weather.
For many, fall is a season that brings sadness as winter is right around the corner. I recently heard someone say fall reminds them that as humans we have fallen short of the glory of new life that we have been given - and is celebrated in the spring of the year.
While I confess I did not fully understand their thought, I empathized with them that as those who are redeemed, the enemy continues to whisper is our ear, saying we are not good enough and reminding us of our past. The fact is, being a Christian does not mean perfection. No one is perfect; we all have fallen at one point or another.
Our hope is, however, as Christians we believe that God extended His lovingkindness and forgiveness to us who are unworthy when His Son Jesus was nailed on the cross. God's love will continue to be available for us, though we can never deserve it. All we need to do is believe and accept that love.
Do we truly believe that God washes away all sin or only the sins that we believe are forgivable? This season, get out a bit and marvel at God's creating and artwork. Marvel as well at what the Master is creating in you. As you have probably heard it said before, "When the enemy tried to remind you of your past - remind the enemy of his future!"
Loving while waiting...
~ Pastor Todd
Fall (or Autumn) is my favorite season of the year. I enjoy wearing sweaters, seeing God's tapestry and mastery on display in the leaves that turn and soup weather.
For many, fall is a season that brings sadness as winter is right around the corner. I recently heard someone say fall reminds them that as humans we have fallen short of the glory of new life that we have been given - and is celebrated in the spring of the year.
While I confess I did not fully understand their thought, I empathized with them that as those who are redeemed, the enemy continues to whisper is our ear, saying we are not good enough and reminding us of our past. The fact is, being a Christian does not mean perfection. No one is perfect; we all have fallen at one point or another.
Our hope is, however, as Christians we believe that God extended His lovingkindness and forgiveness to us who are unworthy when His Son Jesus was nailed on the cross. God's love will continue to be available for us, though we can never deserve it. All we need to do is believe and accept that love.
Do we truly believe that God washes away all sin or only the sins that we believe are forgivable? This season, get out a bit and marvel at God's creating and artwork. Marvel as well at what the Master is creating in you. As you have probably heard it said before, "When the enemy tried to remind you of your past - remind the enemy of his future!"
Loving while waiting...
~ Pastor Todd
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