Advent at Union Chapel
December 6 - December 27
Celebrate Christmas
December 20, 2020 • Gregg Parris
Deuteronomy 16:9-17 I. Remembrance PARRIS’ TOP TEN CHRISTMAS SUGGESTIONS 1. Attend a Christmas Eve Candlelight service 2. Invest some time caring for/serving others. 3. Drive around and look at the light displays. 4. Feast with gratitude and eat too much without guilt. 5. Take a small gift to your neighbor (and introduce yourself). 6. Do not turn down fudge or Christmas cookies this year. 7. Sing Christmas carols loudly (on key is optional). 8. Watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” at least once. 9. Greet people with “Merry Christmas!” 10. Give yourself afresh to the Christ of Christmas. II. Rejoicing III. Feasting TOP TEN THINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR AT CHRISTMAS DINNER 10. I’m just using up cranberry sauce I had left over from last Christmas. 9. So, I figured if I’m dieting, everybody’s dieting. 8. Just brush the frost off the turkey before you carve it. 7. Who wants bologna? 6. Thought I’d save a little time and just leave the feathers on. 5. I’m trying out a brand new stuffing recipe. Hope you like licorice. 4. Before we eat I thought we could just go around the table and take turns telling our favorite Christmas memory. 3. Wait! We didn’t get a picture. Everybody put your food back. 2. Put on that cute record about grandma and the reindeer while we eat. 1. Here’s the fruitcake! IV. Giving
A Change of Plans
December 13, 2020 • Gregg Parris
Luke 1:26-37 I. When God changes your plans He’s trying to get your attention. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12 II. When God changes your plans it also means God has a better plan. I know what I am planning for you, says the Lord. I have good plans for you. Not plans to hurt you. And I will give you hope and a good future. Jeremiah 29:11 We know God’s plan is bigger than your plan. We know God’s plan is more rewarding. We know God’s plan is at times harder. III. God wants you to trust Him. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6 Three warning signs of lack of trust: fatigue, frustration, fear. The Lord will work out his plans for my life for his faithful love endures forever. Psalm 138:8
The Spirit of Christmas
December 6, 2020 • Gregg Parris
John 3:16-21 I. A Spirit of giving. At the very heart of a liberated, joyful, Spirit-filled Christianity is the nature and character of giving. II. Giving in relationships. III. The giving nature of God. Ephesians 1 Vs. 3 “…God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing…” Vs. 4 “ He chose us to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Vs. 5 “In love he predestined us/chose us to be adopted as his sons and daughters.” Vs. 7 “In him we have redemption through his blood.” Vs. 9 “He made known to us the mystery of his will.” Vs. 11-14 “you were chosen and included in Christ and marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…” God says, “I want to spend eternity with you!” The great announcement of Christianity is not that you have accepted God. The great announcement of Christianity is that God has accepted you!”