This was the first Christmas at the Allen house that the pressure was on for Santa to make sure that all of the gifts were properly assembled and waiting under the tree when the sound of little feet made their way down the hall and toward the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Santa came through. As many of you heard in the days leading up to Christmas, Cameron wanted a “choo-choo train” from Santa. There were pieces that had to be fitted together just right and batteries to be installed in the right direction to make sure that everything was ready to go and the whistle would blow at just the right moment. IT WORKED!
As many of you know from assembling toys for kids young and old, directions are a very important element to the equation. Most of us guys think we can do it without the directions and so we try for a while with our wives in the room telling us to get the directions out and it will make it easier. It is true. If you follow the directions, it will make the project go quite a bit smoother. Why is that? It is because the creator of the toy is telling us how to do it the RIGHT way.
Well, as we begin a new year I want to remind you that God is the creator of the church. He has given us directions on how the church is to be assembled. I want to encourage you to faithfully use the instruction manual that He has given us this year to make sure that His project is successful! God has done some good things at FBC Grandview in 2005, but I believe that He has even better things in store for us in 2006 if we will be faithful to Him and His plans. I want to challenge you and your family to faithfully spend some time reading God’s word (the instructions) and praying for His plans for what your part will be in helping His church be great in 2006. That is where it begins. Just like trying to do a project without directions usually ends in a mess, we try to do things on our own and in our own strength we will make a mess. Will you join me in praying for God’s plans to be done in this new year? It is going to be a great ride if we will just be faithful!
I want to thank you all for making this Christmas season a wonderful time for our church family. We had some great times of corporate worship, fellowship, and Bible study. Just remember that Jesus is the reason we celebrate and as believers we should celebrate every day as if it were Christmas and Easter! We serve a risen Savior! What a privilege it is to be given the task to “go tell it on the mountain!”
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Imagine with me if you would . . . 2,000 years ago the scene as the livestock lay in a manger trying to get a good night’s sleep and hearing the famous words heard over and over in hospital delivery rooms around the world, “It’s a boy! It’s a boy! It’s a boy!” What a wonderful night that must have been in Bethlehem as baby Jesus was born! The Creator of the animals lying in their midst as a small child sent to save the world! What a wonderful, holy, majestic night it was. The Christmas season gives us so much to celebrate, so much to be reminded of, so much to worship! As we all get busy with the wonderful season I want to encourage you to stop and think about that Holy Night so long ago and the impact that it has had on your life. Don’t get so wrapped up in the tinsel, mistletoe, presents, Santa Claus and busyness of the season and forget the wonderful Savior who gives us the reason to celebrate!
I would like to personally invite each of you to two very special events this month. The first will be on December 11th at the church. At 6:00 p.m. the staff would like to show you our love and appreciation for the privilege of serving with you by preparing a holiday meal. We will be preparing turkey, dressing and all of the fixings for a “family” dinner that evening. The only thing that we ask of you is that you RSVP to the office by December 7th. This will be a special time as we gather together as a family to celebrate the season and give thanks for all that God has blessed us with this past year. I hope that you will all plan on attending. You are a wonderful church and it is a privilege to serve alongside you. This is a small way for your staff to say that we love and appreciate each of you.
The other special event is our annual Open House at the parsonage. Each year Shelly and I love hosting you in our home for a time of fellowship and snacks. This year open house will be on December 18th from 2-4 p.m. Again I hope that you will all stop by and enjoy a sweet time of fellowship together.
There is so much happening during the month of December so make sure that you look at the calendar closely. You won’t want to miss anything! We will have our Christmas Eve service again this year. If you have been to this in the past you know what a blessing it is, if you have not then let me encourage you to come and worship the King during our candlelight service. You will be glad you did. Christmas morning is on Sunday this year so we will only have worship that morning at 10:00 a.m. What an opportunity to worship together on Jesus’ birthday! It is going to be a busy month but it is going to be a great month! Let’s celebrate Jesus together!
Happy Holidays,
Russell
(There is a hidden message in the title of my article!) ¶ 6:23 PM 0 comments
