Carols & Advent 2023 - Arborway Community Church

The Ultimate Christmas Gift

December 24, 2023 • Ivey Rhodes • John 3:16–18

Christmas morning is so much fun because we exchange gifts. Who doesn't love presents? These gifts help us express our love for each other in tangible ways. On the first Christmas God expressed his love for us by giving us the best gift ever: His Son. Join us at our Christmas Candlelight service as we explore the amazing gift that is Jesus Christ.

God With Us

December 24, 2023 • Ivey Rhodes • Matthew 1:21–23

Have you ever prayed for God to be with you? We tend to pray for God's presence when we are in need of divine intervention. But what does it actually mean for God to be with us? This week pastor Ivey brings us to Matthew 1 where Joseph is told that his bride to be was pregnant with Immanuel, which literally means "God with us." Watch and learn that God's ever-presence empowers us to navigate life most difficult days.

The Little Lord Jesus

December 17, 2023 • Ivey Rhodes • Luke 2:10–11

We mostly think about Jesus during Christmas is a beautiful baby resting in a manger. Most assuredly he was a beautiful and cute baby, but the Bible has a greater description of him: Lord. The Song, "Away in a Manger," holds these two equal descriptions of his birth in balance by calling him, "The Little Lord Jesus." This week pastor Ivey shows us why it's important for us to recognize Jesus as more than a cute baby and surrender to him as Lord.

Upside Down Christmas

December 10, 2023 • Ivey Rhodes

This week we see a paradox between the exalted lyrics of "O Come All Ye Faithful" and the reality of that first Christmas. Truly, Jesus was and is all "O Come All Ye Faithful” describes, but the differences between the exalted heavenly reality and the humble earthly reality are shocking. Yet, they give us a glimpse of what Jesus's kingdom is like. This week Pastor Ivey helps us see who Jesus really was. When we understand the Jesus of Scripture, it helps us live out our faith with confidence and peace.

The Thrill of Hope

December 3, 2023 • Ivey Rhodes

If there is one word that captures the world today it is: weary. We see wars, we just exited a once a century global pandemic, we are enduring high inflation, and the presidential race is ramping up. It can make a person feel quite weary. Jesus was also born into a weary world, but his birth introduced hope! Today, we rejoice in our weariness because a new and glorious morn' has dawned. This week watch as we see how the carol O Holy Night reflect the beautiful hope of Jesus.