Glory to God in the Highest by J. Smith Merry Christmas! This month has been busy at Olivet. The month began with a Michael Wayne Smith Christmas concert. He is a talented musician from Oak Ridge, TN. His music, to me, can be compared with the style of the Gaithers. He sang Christmas carols, some contemporary songs like “Come on Ring those Bells” and “I’ll be Home for Christmas” as well as some of his own works. This past Sunday, the Olivet choir sang their Christmas special for the church with a combination of classic Christmas carols ( O Little Town of Bethlehem, What Child is This?, Away in the Manger, etc) accompanied by the pianist and organist. And this upcoming Sunday is Christmas Eve. There is to be no Sunday school and the service will start at 10:30am and be an abbreviated service providing the congregation more time to spend with loved ones. Then the church office will be closed for the next two days in honor of Christmas Eve and Christmas day. The Fellowship Hall is almost completed in its renovation project. The walls have been sanded and painted. I think they are looking to do the ceiling, but otherwise it is very close to being finished. How quickly this year has passed, and we are days away from Christmas – our celebration of Christ’s first coming. As I look at the figurines of Joseph, Mary and Jesus as a babe, I am in awe and amazement. The all-righteous, almighty God of heaven gave up the glories, pleasantness and sinlessness of heaven to subject Himself to human conditions. He who is outside the laws of physics entered it. He who is eternal confined Himself to time. He who is almighty allowed Himself to be made man and that started as a helpless baby. Is it not magnificent? Is it not wondrous? All on a rescue mission to save us – sinful mankind from our eternal fate, which apart from Christ, is a nightmare. He is gracious, compassionate and good. He suffered at the hands of sinners, those for whom He came to save. He took the sins of all time on Himself – I cannot imagine the agony that must have been to Him. He died as our substitution being our propitiation – full justification before God the Father. He arose, because the grave could not hold a sinless One. He sits at the right hand of the Father and has prepared rooms for us in His Father’s house, like a bridegroom did in the Jewish culture when taking a bride. Now He awaits the nod for His time to come and fetch us - His bride, His rescued ones, the ones who believe in Him as the Savior of the World and Lord God. So as the world around us is raging, warring and full of hate and spite, know our Heavenly Bridegroom is eagerly waiting the day when He gets to come and fly us to the Father’s house. And all because of a wondrous night in Bethlehem when a young, godly couple had a son in a barn. May you have a blessed Christmas and peaceful New Year. Business Meeting at A Glance The December business meeting had… Old Business – None New Business – The 2024 Budget was presented by the Financial Committee. The budget is less than last years. As it was presented by a committee, a second was not required. Motion to accept passed without opposition. The Church Clerk had nothing to report. As no other business was needing the be conducted the business meeting came to a close. Announcements: Food Pantry - Jan. 27, 9-11 am Deacon Meeting- Jan. 16, 6pm Business Meeting- Jan. 17, 6pm Sanctity of Life Sunday - Jan. 21 Ladies Morning Out - Jan. 22, 9am @ Aces Filling Station Prayer Items: Israel and IDF - God's protection and victory over their enemies.
US Military in the Middle East - protection Awakening of People in US to Christ as their Savior God's mercy on the USA
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