"A Christmas Crisis" - John 3:16-19
A Christmas Crisis? Really? Don't we have enough crises in our lives already? Is WalMart all out of pie crusts? Have you already eaten more sweets than you have all year long? Is it Christmas Eve day and you still have presents to buy? None of those things are the crisis we will discuss.
Can't we just talk about Mary and Joseph and a cute little wooden manger with lots of fluffy animals all gathered around to pose for the selfie? We could.....
....But we won't! Mary and Joseph will get a mention, but there is no shortage of crisis moments in the "Crisis-mas" story, include that murderous maniac Herod trying to kill the male children!
Christmas eve will be filled with music and the message will be shorter, but hopefully just as sweet. I even tried my hand at making some slide to go along with the verses!
Embedded in John 3:16-19, there is a crisis. I am not making that up....the word is in there. What? You don't see it? Well then you better get on you Christmas duds and come to find out! Three o'clock and five o'clock. I am looking forward to meeting your guests and visiting family that you might be bringing along with you! It's Christmas, so......
View and See.....!!!
Steve
2021 Christmas Eve Service
December 24, 2021 • Pastor Steve Feden • John 3:16–19
Jesus - "For Such a Time as This!"
December 24, 2023 • Pastor Steve Feden • John 3
"For Such a Time as This - Jesus" - John 3 What did we do before we had cellphones with a flashlight option!? That is the handiest little gadget since someone put an eraser on the top of a pencil! I use it often when I am finding the right key, getting in the car, or looking for something I dropped! But of course I only need it when the current light is insufficient to see with clarity! When our eyes receive the benefit of full light, a flashlight adds nothing to my efforts. But when I am in the dark... In keeping with our theme, there is no better time for light than when we are in the dark. That handy little flashlight function on the phone has proven, over and over again, to be "for such a time as this"...such times of darkness, confusion, uncertainty, lack of clarity. It was God who spoke into the darkness and said, "Let there be light". I think the light of Jesus is still needed for our world, don't you. But what exactly does that mean? John 3 will be our topic of discussion if you can find a way to... ...VIEW and SEE Steve
Mary - "For Such a Time as This!" - Luke 1:26-38
December 20, 2023 • Pastor Steve Feden • Luke 1:26–38
"For Such a Time as This -- Mary" - Luke 1:26-38 As part of the continuing story, we will take a look at Mary and her turning point as we are thinking about the Christmas story. For Joseph, the turning point that allowed God to use him for the special role of "fathering" Jesus, was his willingness to stay with Mary despite the social and cultural challenges, and the confusion. For Joseph, his obedience involved sacrifice -- multiple moves to protect the Son of God, gossip, loss of reputation in the community. Mary's story is a little different. Her obedience involves all of the same sacrificial things, but she must go a step further. It is total commitment of her will and....her body! Is that just for Mary? Maybe that is for women in general? Certainly not for men, though, right? Of course no one can replicate what God did in using the young virgin, Mary, to birth Jesus. But, there is much in scripture about our bodies, and Romans 12:1-2 is just one example! Did I mention that Luke 1:27 is one of those verses I never tire of reflecting on or encouraging others with? Did I mention that I get a chance to tell the story of the chicken and the pig? Why is that verse encouraging? What does this have to do with a chicken and a pig? Hahaha!!! You have to... ..VIEW AND SEE! Steve