Thursday, December 20, 2012

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

HE’S HERE!  HE’S HERE!!!  The mall loud-speakers blare:  “Come and see Santa!  Sit on his lap and tell him what you want for Christmas!  Have your picture taken with Santa!”  The line grows long – each child eagerly waiting their turn.  But … like someone has said, “where’s the line to see Jesus?”  We should be on every “street corner of our lives” … proclaiming, “HE’S HERE!  HE’S HERE!!!  Come and see Jesus!  Sit on His lap and tell him what you need in your life.  He’s the Giver of all good gifts!  And you don’t need to have a picture taken with Jesus, because He is with you ALL the time.  You don’t have to wait for Christmas to see Him and sit on His lap.  He’s HERE – every day, every hour, every moment!”  The scenario is all too often reversed, and just like this week with the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut, people were asking, “Where was God?”  First of all, they weren’t looking for Him in that place, because He has been dis-invited and kicked out of our nation’s schools – for a very long time now.  But I believe had they really looked for Him there, they would have seen Him holding those children in His arms in the midst of that chaos, just as some of the teachers did on that fateful day.  He knew what would happen before it happened … for He has given us the gift of free will.  And so He was there, to personally carry those little ones from this earth to their heavenly home.  We could sit and theorize and evaluate and diagnose until we were blue in the face.  How could any of us ever understand the “why” of such a horrendous act against children?  Only God knows the truth behind it all.  Because we do not have the power to change what has already taken place, the best comfort we can find is the realization that God will turn the ashes into beauty.  And for now, the only beauty we can see is that of these precious little ones sitting on His lap in Heaven – each child getting their own one-on-one time with Jesus after getting their personal tour of their new Home.  And peeking in close to listen, it seems that the one and only wish they have for their first Christmas in Heaven is:  “Please take care of my mommy and daddy!  They will miss me so much … but tell them that I love it here, and I love being with You!  Tell them not to worry, because You are taking extra-good care of me!”  Fast forward now to these last few remaining days before we celebrate this Christmas on earth.  Realities set in for those parents whose small child’s presents are already under the tree – but will never be opened by them.  Crushing grief and stark emptiness!  Who can offer a remedy for such feelings that will even remotely help heal the unimaginable hurts being experienced?  HIM!!!  HE’S HERE!  HE’S WITH THEM!!!  That’s exactly why He came!  That’s why His Name is Emmanuel:  God with us!  WITH us!  That means He is PRESENT … HE’S HERE!  From Heaven to the manger, from the manger to the cross, from the cross to the tomb, from the tomb to resurrected life, and from resurrection to Heaven again.  He sits on the Throne … but He comes to us.  To each of us – in such personal, precious ways!  Because Jesus came, we will never be the same!  We celebrate Christmas with our family and friends, yes!  But my prayer is that each of us will realize afresh and anew that we can celebrate the birth of Christ every single day of the year and every day of our lives!  We can see Him in every arena of our lives, present with us, if we’ve invited Him to be our Savior!  He’s our first responder when tragedy strikes, and He will be the One holding us as we breathe our last breath on earth.  And when we walk into Heaven, it will be God who will be announcing our arrival:  “SHE’S HERE!  HE’S HERE!”  Until we hear those words, let’s seek Him, love Him, follow Him, reflect Him, share Him, and celebrate Him.  HE’S HERE!!! 
 
 
 
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
 
A SPECIAL WELCOME to Bernie, Shelly, and Marvin who joined us in worship this past Sunday; may God bless you!
 
SUN, DEC 23:  10:00 A.M. – CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION / “Our Amazing Emmanuel” – Part 5!  You won’t want to miss this meaningful celebration of Christ’s birth in song, the Word, praise and worship, and warm fellowship!  You will also be treated to a Christmas song from our KIDZONE kids during the service!
MON, DEC 24/TUE, DEC 25:  A BLESSED CHRISTMAS EVE & DAY to all our church family – from Pastor D and Debbie!  We love each of you and thank God for you!  And most of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jesus, our Lord and Savior ~ thank You for coming to earth for us and giving us the greatest Gift of all!
SUN, DEC 30:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP w/the message, “Wrapping Up The Old Year/Assessing Our Walk with God!”
SUN, DEC 30:  KIDZONE Children’s Church with Verla, Kelly, and Liz … starring puppets, lessons, verses, activities, and more!
MON, DEC 31:  8:00 P.M. to Midnight – ALL CHURCH NEW YEAR’S EVE FELLOWSHIP w/snacks and games … bring your favorites for everyone to enjoy!  Plus, there will be a short service ushering in the New Year as we welcome it in with prayer!
TUE, JAN 01:  PRAYERS for a HAPPY NEW YEAR  ~ with God’s favor upon you and your family!
SUN, JAN 06:  PRAISE & WORSHIP/a new sermon series w/our theme for the new year:  “Finding Us on Our Knees ~ In 2013”!
 
REMEMBER . . . HE IS HERE!  “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6
 
 
 
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
 
 
Pastor Doug and Debbie
 

 

 

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