After a month of waiting, a month of preparing ourselves, the miracle of miracle has now arrived. Tonight, on the eve of Christmas, we celebrate the most unique, the most incredible, the most miraculous event in human history. Think about the impact of this one birth on the course of human history. Think about the impact of this one birth on the course of an individual human life. If the universe is not random but divinely created, as we at Grace of Christ, along with hundreds of millions of others, believe. If the divine force that brought the universe and us into existence is not some indifferent impersonal collection of energy but instead a personal Being who loves us, as we at Grace of Christ, along with hundreds of millions of others, believe. If this personal, loving God cared so deeply about us that He voluntarily entered a broken and painful world to restore a relationship we had broken, as we at Grace of Christ, along with hundreds of millions of others, believe. If His love for us was so great that He was willing to sacrifice Himself and submit to death so that we could live, as we at Grace of Christ, along with hundreds of millions of others, believe. If this is True it changes everything. God had a purpose in mind when He created the universe. That purpose included us. We were on His mind, AND IN HIS HEART, when He made the unexpected and unusual, the miraculous decision to be born among us. That God loves us, that God is with us ... changes the course of history, and the course of our lives.
Luke chapter 2, "The angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'"
Christmas Eve (5PM)
December 25, 2021 • Luke 2:1–20
Living In HISSTORY
January 2, 2022 • Mark Bassett • Romans 8:28, Psalm 105, Genesis 45
Welcome to the New Year! Our prayers for this coming year are similar to our prayers for the past: peace where there is war and hatred, healing for the abused and brokenhearted, an end to the pandemic and strengthening of friendships, families, and face to face relationships, the return of compassion, respect, and civility. We pray, and then we live each day by the grace and power of God to make those prayers a reality. This morning Mark Bassett, a very dear friend of Curt's, will be preaching here at Grace. Mark is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian church in Ephrata WA. Mark and Curt, and three other pastors, meet regularly (most months) to support and challenge each other, and to hold one another accountability in their role as pastor, and in their relationship with Jesus. Mark is a scholar, a compassionate pastor, creative, iconoclastic, and someone who first and foremost has a genuine passion for Jesus. Mark and his wife Carrie (a fabulous teacher for kids in the Hutterite community east of Ephrata) have two amazing kids, and even more amazing grandkids. While Mark is preaching at Grace, Curt is in Ephrata preaching there. From the passages Mark will be preaching on: • Psalm 105 "He brought the people out with joy, His chosen ones with singing." • Romans 8 "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." • Genesis 45 "Don't be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life." We do not know what this new year will bring, but we know Jesus. That is enough!
Living In HISSTORY
January 2, 2022 • Mark Bassett • Romans 8:28, Psalm 105, Genesis 45
Welcome to the New Year! Our prayers for this coming year are similar to our prayers for the past: peace where there is war and hatred, healing for the abused and brokenhearted, an end to the pandemic and strengthening of friendships, families, and face to face relationships, the return of compassion, respect, and civility. We pray, and then we live each day by the grace and power of God to make those prayers a reality. This morning Mark Bassett, a very dear friend of Curt's, will be preaching here at Grace. Mark is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian church in Ephrata WA. Mark and Curt, and three other pastors, meet regularly (most months) to support and challenge each other, and to hold one another accountability in their role as pastor, and in their relationship with Jesus. Mark is a scholar, a compassionate pastor, creative, iconoclastic, and someone who first and foremost has a genuine passion for Jesus. Mark and his wife Carrie (a fabulous teacher for kids in the Hutterite community east of Ephrata) have two amazing kids, and even more amazing grandkids. While Mark is preaching at Grace, Curt is in Ephrata preaching there. From the passages Mark will be preaching on: • Psalm 105 "He brought the people out with joy, His chosen ones with singing." • Romans 8 "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." • Genesis 45 "Don't be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life." We do not know what this new year will bring, but we know Jesus. That is enough!
My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation (10AM)
December 26, 2021 • Curt McFarland • Luke 2:21–40
Yesterday we celebrated Christmas. This morning our Bible passage takes place 8 days later. It was, according to Jewish custom, the time when every male child was taken to the Temple and dedicated to the Lord. It was a remember that everything we have, including our children, are gifts from God, given to us by God. (An important comment when children do not reach their 8th day. Tears for this type of deep loss are real, painful, difficult, life-altering. While the pain lingers, God knows, God grieves, God is present, God cares for that child). When God entered human history as a baby He identified with our weaknesses and frailties. Jesus had to be carried, fed, changed, comforted, protected. On His eight day the required offering was made (it was the offering for those who were poor) and He was officially received into the community of faith. All along their journey as parents, Mary and Joseph were given unmistakable reminders of the uniqueness of their new son. On the day of Jesus' dedication two faithful God followers, Simeon and Anna, added their voices as they declared the miraculous identity and purpose of this child. Simeon announced, " my eyes have seen your salvation." Anna came up and, "began to give thanks to God and speak of Him (the baby Jesus) to all who were waiting for the redemption of Israel." Put that in Jesus' scrapbook! Parenting and life would be difficult enough for Joseph and Mary. They lived under the suspicion and judgment of their neighbors. When Jesus began His public ministry, as He taught and healed, suspicion and judgment increased. But the memories, dreams, visions, prophesies God provided along the way brought encouragement and strength. In our life individually and as a church, God provides strength and encouragement for us too! We need it! Our life and faith depends on it!