![[Sunday] Christmas Gift - Emmanuel: Joy in the Midst](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1702655387205-XBLAMTNCDXPIJ59923GR/Weekly3a.jpg)
[Sunday] Christmas Gift - Emmanuel: Joy in the Midst
Giving Christmas gifts to children is so much fun. Seeing the joy on their face as they jump up in surprise, walking all around showing and telling everyone about the great gift. The Christmas Gift really brings us to the heart of the season.
Giving Christmas gifts to children is so much fun. Seeing the joy on their face as they jump up in surprise, walking all around showing and telling everyone about the great gift. The Christmas Gift really brings us to the heart of the season.
QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK: EMMANUEL: JOY IN THE MIDST - Christmas Gift
When was the last time you had joy giving a gift?
Read John 5:1-9. What gift does Jesus bring to the man by the pool?
Read Luke 2:8-20. What gift does Jesus bring the shepherds?
What gift does Jesus give to all of us?
Worship With Us.
Sundays
8:30 & 10:15AM
Live Stream 10:15AM
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] All Things - Keep It Simple](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1731687836393-04YTHZK3FOM503Y57MM3/Simple4a.jpg)
The Holy Mess of a Christmas Tree
I don’t love that there’s all this mess, but that feels like an important part of the process.
Read the Whole article at The Holy Mess of a Christmas Tree - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
I really don’t like messy things, and I have been a “neat freak” since I was a child. In college, Sunday night I’d vacuum and dust and sweep my dorm room, my roommate would laugh as I adamantly cleaned, determined not to start our week messy. I’m a perpetual tidier and dislike having too much stuff on my counters. I love to vacuum and sweep, and feel chaotic if a space is too messy. But there’s one mess that I insist on bringing into my home, year after year, and that is a beloved Christmas tree.
I come from a family that has two real Christmas trees, because twinkle lights and the smell of pine are important and why not bring them into as many rooms as possible? So small wonder I’m like this. In all my years in DC my roommates knew I was going to walk to the local market and begin my bartering for a tree, and then would give them a call to help haul it home. Being car-less in DC leads to creativity and relying on helpful friends who will help you carry a tree. So three years of hauling a monstrosity of a tree into our monstrosity of a house. Then two more years of a short, squat little tree taking up prime real estate in our living room, but there was a boyfriend (now my husband) with a truck to help haul the trees.
Now in a long distance marriage for the next few months, I thought about if I even should get a tree this year. I was always determined to make sure we had a tree in the past, but I had the excuse of roommates and that multiple people would get to enjoy it. “My family has two trees, I’ll see a tree when I’m home, do I really need to get one for myself? It’s just me, is it worth the trouble of doing this by myself?”
Yes, it was, I drove myself in the red truck, paid for the long, skinny, and last tree at Whole Foods, in the back of the truck it went, hauled up stairs, and after some wrestling with the tree stand it stood up on its own. ……………………………..
Read the Whole article at The Holy Mess of a Christmas Tree - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
Planetarium Star of Wonder Photos
Christmas Planetarium Photos
Big Thanks to all at the Planetarium for the excellent time.
Christmas Variety Photos
See photos and Videos of the Christmas Variety
Debate with Corrected Audio
![[Wednesday] Christmas Variety - Mid-week Advent](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/0c448f5e-cfdc-45f7-8284-170ed05a8833/WeeklyWed2a.jpg)
[Wednesday] Christmas Variety - Mid-week Advent
Join us for a whimsical Wednesday evening at "Christmas Variety," where holiday cheer takes center stage! Engage in a lively debate on Christmas tree decorating, test your musical prowess with a festive round of "Name that Tune" featuring jingling bells, and share your talents or heartwarming stories with a spirited community. Get ready to harmonize and sing along to timeless Christmas classics like "Up on the Housetop" in this merry celebration of joy and creativity!
6:30PM Wednesday Dec 13th
5:30PM Potluck Dinner
Here is the Christmas Debate with attempted Corrected Audio
Join us for a whimsical Wednesday evening at "Christmas Variety," where holiday cheer takes center stage! Engage in a lively debate on Christmas tree decorating, test your musical prowess with a festive round of "Name that Tune" featuring jingling bells, and share your talents or heartwarming stories with a spirited community. Get ready to harmonize and sing along to timeless Christmas classics like "Up on the Housetop" in this merry celebration of joy and creativity!
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Royal Introduction - Kingdom Way](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1732292654207-IOAL90WWETSNSYJWNI92/KW+1a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Oh Christmas Tree - Emmanuel: Joy in the Midst](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1702055250957-T56RE3G46BDEUIMPNOD6/Weekly2a.jpg)
[Sunday] Oh Christmas Tree - Emmanuel: Joy in the Midst
Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. He is there when the new little family almost splits up. He is even Emmanuel when the dreams of wonderful Christmas trees come crashing down.
Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. He is there when the new little family almost splits up. He is even Emmanuel when the dreams of wonderful Christmas trees come crashing down.
QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK: EMMANUEL: JOY IN THE MIDST - Oh Christmas Tree
Describe a time when a Christmas celebration didn’t quite go as planned.
Read Matthew 1:18-25. How does Joseph’s life not quite go as planned? How does God work anyway?
Read Matthew 9: 9-13. Why did Jesus eat with Matthew’s friends? Why did the Pharisees complain about it?
Think of some shortcomings in your life? What does it mean that Emmanuel comes even for those times?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Star of Wonder. IRSC Planetarium, Dec 10th 23'
An astronomer’s search for the mystery of the Nativity Star, a Hallstrom Planetarium tradition since 1993.
Event Starts at 3pm, No Entry after 3pm
Doors Open 2:30PM
Craker Barrell Fort Perice I95 Dinner after at. 2550 Peters Rd, Fort Pierce, FL 34945
Tickets are sold out, but some more may become available
Join us For a fun Christmas event!
An astronomer’s search for the mystery of the Nativity Star, a Hallstrom Planetarium tradition since 1993.
December 10th, Sunday
Event Starts at 3pm, Doors open at 2:30am
Tickets are 5 Dollars, Only 70 Tickets Available - Only 5 Left as of 11/17
Dinner After Cracker Barrel in Fort Peirce.
Childcare will be made available
Matthew Christmas Bible Study
The Christmas Story from the Gospel of Matthew
Judges chapters 17-19
When Perfection Isn't Enough
A Flawless Record Won’t Cut It (In Football and Life)
Read the whole article at When Perfection Isn't Enough - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
By now, I am sure you’ve seen it. It went viral almost immediately. Sunday, December 3rd, 2023, the Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles were left out of the College Football Playoff (CFP). The video of the team’s reaction while watching the results found its way to screens all over the nation in a matter of minutes. See for yourself here.
Dejected. Shocked. Deflated. Angry. Frustrated. Speechless. Rage. Mistreated.
Why? Well, FSU had just won the Championship for their conference (ACC) the night before. They had completed a perfect season, winning 13 games and losing none. The week prior, they found themselves ranked number 4 in the CFP rankings. Win the ACC Championship, it was assumed, and you’re one of the 4 teams playing for a National Championship.
Wrong.
Leap-frogging the Seminoles into the coveted top 4 were two one loss teams: Alabama and Texas. The perfect, undefeated team moved to number 5. FSU would be on the outside looking in. No Natty for the ‘Noles……………
Read the whole article at When Perfection Isn't Enough - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
![[Wednesday] Christmas Characters - Mid-week Advent + Photos](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1701792749706-LV4A3D728C6YXWLPLQ8G/WeeklyWed1a.jpg)
[Wednesday] Christmas Characters - Mid-week Advent + Photos
Dive into a festive extravaganza at our Wednesday Advent event! Encounter Christmas Characters from Krampus to St. Nick, and journey through time with Old Testament prophets, Mary, and Joseph. Explore global holiday traditions, sing classic carols, and don your Christmas sweater (AC turned down for coziness). It's a magical celebration blending past and present—join us for a joyous, unforgettable Wednesday Night!
6:30PM Wednesday Dec 6th
5:30PM Potluck Dinner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx1t3VlZplI
Step into a festive wonderland at our upcoming Wednesday Advent event! Join us for an enchanting evening filled with Christmas characters spanning from the mischievous Krampus to the beloved St. Nick, and journey through time with Old Testament prophets, Mary, and Joseph. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of global holiday traditions, and delight in the joy of singing classic Christmas carols. As a special touch, don your coziest Christmas sweater—don't worry, we'll turn down the AC to keep the holiday spirit alive! It's a magical celebration that brings together the best of Christmas past and present, promising a memorable and heartwarming experience for all.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Christmas Letter - Emmanuel: Joy in the Midst](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1701314177166-SXRQGYD4V8NNW1TPO3RC/Weekly1a.jpg)
[Sunday] Christmas Letter - Emmanuel: Joy in the Midst
Ahh the Classic Christmas Letter, where we divulge all the braggadocious details of our year but leave out certain difficult parts of struggle. What details would Zecheriah include in a letter? Helping the Temple? Going mute because of unbelief? Childlessness? But Emmanuel comes into his and our midst bringing songs of joy.
Ahh the Classic Christmas Letter, where we divulge all the braggadocious details of our year but leave out certain difficult parts of struggle. What details would Zecheriah include in a letter? Helping the Temple? Going mute because of unbelief? Childlessness? But Emmanuel comes into his and our midst bringing songs of joy.
QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK: Emmanuel: Joy in the Midst
If you were writing a Christmas card about your life over the past year, what details would you include?
Read Luke 1:5-25, 57-80. Why do you think Zecheriah doesn’t believe the angel? What happens to him? How does Elizabeth respond to the news? What does she say about God? What does Zecheriah realize in v.57-69?
Read Luke 7: 11-16. What was the woman’s problem? How does God visit her?
How might you encourage someone this advent season that Jesus has come to be with them?
New Song this Week!
Listen to our recording and the artist rendition.
Also Check every week, to listen to the songs of the week.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
New Song! Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Great new Hymn for us to learn in Advent
New Song
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Grace Sunday Recording
Original Artist
Verse 1
Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven’s praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing, in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ, who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us
Verse 2
Come behold the wondrous mystery
He the perfect Son of Man
In His living, in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law; in Him we stand
Verse 3
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold
Verse 4
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain Him
Praise the Lord; He is alive!
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes
Emmanuel - Joy in the Midst (Teaching Series)
The Christmas story is filled with struggle where unbelief, loneliness, waisted life, and acceptance fill the pages of the story. But where there is struggle we find songs filled with Joy and discover God has come, He is Emmanuel, and brings joy in the midst.
The Christmas story is filled with struggle where unbelief, loneliness, waisted life, and acceptance fill the pages of the story. But where there is struggle we find songs filled with Joy and discover God has come, He is Emmanuel, and brings joy in the midst.
Christmas / Advent Schedule
Wednesdays December 6th & 13th
Potluck Dinner 5:30PM
Service 6:30PM
Christmas Eve
Small Communion Sunday Service 10:15am
Christmas Eve Service 4PM & 7PM
4PM Service with the Korean Church
Christmas Day
Communion Service 10:15am
New Years Eve
Communion Service 10:15am
January 7th
Normal Sunday Schedule
Reading Plan
Read around the readings for Sunday
12/3/23
Psalm 69:16-21
Luke 7:11-17
Luke 1:8-25
12/10/23
Isaiah 7:10-16
Matthew 9:9-13
Matthew 1:18-25
12/17/23
Micah 5:2-4
John 5:1-15
Luke 2:8-20
12/24/23
Luke 2:1-20
Luke 1:46-66
12/25/23
Genesis 1:1-5, 24-28
Galatians 4:4-7
John 1:1-14
12/31/23
Psalm 27:11-14
Mark 5:24b-34
Luke 2:22-40
1/7/24
Exodus 13:1-10
1 Corinthians 5:6-8
Matthew 2:1-18
![[Sunday] Baptism Of Our Lord](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1705078623113-46Y1DOXTJJFX6KJV5QF3/Weekly6a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Odd Epiphany - Emmanuel: Joy in the Midst](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1704338709052-O1KNNKXEB7G0GOW4AHS0/Weekly5a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Simeon - Emmanuel: Joy in the Midst](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1703773703530-E5SCYWIHCRSDT9XNKIZF/Weekly4a.jpg)
![[Christmas Day] Light - Emmanuel: Joy in the Midst](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1703003343952-DV7AF450J1MW0C0ZEHLO/Christmas+Dayb.jpg)
![[Christmas Eve] Silent Night - Emmanuel: Joy in the Midst](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1702994628436-5ZVDL2N79BWX4PYNGQZJ/Christmas+Eve.jpg)
He Who Comes
It is terribly easy to set up our theology as a buffer against the real coming of the Lord and its consequences.
Read the rest at He Who Comes (1517.org)
Our text is an advent text, the announcement of the coming of the Lord by John the Baptist. The announcement, it seems, threw people into considerable consternation. So much so that they were led to cry out, “What then shall we do?” And John’s answer is direct and unequivocal: “Bear fruits that befit repentance...He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” (Luke 3:8,11) “Right now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:9). That’s the way it is when the Lord comes.
In our day, when some seem to be alarmed about the apparent rebirth of nasty things like “the social gospel,” and similar movements, I suppose there might be some nervousness about the manner in which John the Baptist moves so immediately from the coming of the Lord to giving away your coat and sharing your food. We would much rather, I suppose, that he had spent more time in transition, explaining how the coming of the Lord means first of all that we should devote ourselves to the cultivation of our piety, or pointing out that the gospel really has to do only with man's relationship to God.
![[Sunday] Christ the King Sunday 2023](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1700760838794-A5WE9BKGIA3TUWLGWR2M/Christ+the+kinga.jpg)
[Sunday] Christ the King Sunday 2023
Just as Christ is “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end,” at the close of every liturgical year, we look forward, with renewed hope, to Christ’s coming again in glory to reign as Lord forever. In the same way, we also look forward to our own resurrection and the time of a new earth — an earth that is no longer broken by sin and groaning. Christ will come again in glory just as surely as He came the first time, when He was born. So we have these three weeks of “transition” at the end of the “long green season” into the Advent Season: the new beginning of the liturgical year.
Just as Christ is “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end,” at the close of every liturgical year, we look forward, with renewed hope, to Christ’s coming again in glory to reign as Lord forever. In the same way, we also look forward to our own resurrection and the time of a new earth — an earth that is no longer broken by sin and groaning. Christ will come again in glory just as surely as He came the first time, when He was born. So we have these three weeks of “transition” at the end of the “long green season” into the Advent Season: the new beginning of the liturgical year.
QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK: Christ The King
Skim over Matthew 23-25. What is Jesus primarily talking about? How does it make you feel?
Think of a time when things seemed out of control in your life, where did you think God was in that time?
Read Matthew 25:31. At the end times where does Jesus say he (the son of man) will be?
Read Matthew 25:32-40. How do the sheep (the righteous) respond when Jesus tells them all the good kingdom of God work they had been doing and welcomes them into His kingdom? Think of a time when you didn’t realize when God was doing His Kingdom work through you as you were His hands and feet loving others.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
When Politics Predominates
When the church is a political actor, the gospel doesn’t have the final word.
Read whole article at When Politics Predominates (1517.org)
Among the many great insights of C. F. W. Walther’s The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel is his counsel to preachers that the gospel must predominate in every sermon. Scripture is the manger that holds Christ. We can’t forget to preach the law because it’s the thing that leads us to him. The law’s work of judgment and condemnation hands us over to the Christ, who saves us from sin and death. The work of the law is not the last and final thing but is always penultimate – awaiting its end and fulfillment in the gospel.
Politics is provisional. It belongs in the old world in which sin, death, and the devil reign.
The gospel must predominate because it is the destination, endpoint, and conclusion of the story of Scripture.
Introducing Him who completes all of creation with everything humanity has to offer.