STANDING STONE BIBLE
WEEKLY
December 16, 2024
THIS WEEK
Here are the highlights of classes and events THIS week
Special Cantata Rehearsal - As a make-up from Saturday morning, there will be a cantata rehearsal for cantata participants on Thursday night at 6:45pm. The final Cantata Practice will then be Saturday at 9:00am.
Final OA:sis - The final Wednesday night OA:sis of the year will be Wednesday night. This includes the final meal at 6pm (VERY kid friendly this week) followed by clubs at 6:45, LIGHThouse at 7:00 and three adult options also at 7:00. Join us!
LIGHThouse Christmas Party - Friday, December 20th at 6pm, all 6th through 12th graders are invited to a Christmas party.
Men's Breakfast - Saturday morning at 7:30am is the monthly men's breakfast. Our speaker will be sharing a bit about the history of this building and the early church here in Gretna. Men - wake up! There is also a Bible study at 6:30am.
Christmas Cantata - The annual Christmas cantata will be presented during worship service this Sunday.
Final OA:sis - The final Wednesday night OA:sis of the year will be Wednesday night. This includes the final meal at 6pm (VERY kid friendly this week) followed by clubs at 6:45, LIGHThouse at 7:00 and three adult options also at 7:00. Join us!
LIGHThouse Christmas Party - Friday, December 20th at 6pm, all 6th through 12th graders are invited to a Christmas party.
Men's Breakfast - Saturday morning at 7:30am is the monthly men's breakfast. Our speaker will be sharing a bit about the history of this building and the early church here in Gretna. Men - wake up! There is also a Bible study at 6:30am.
Christmas Cantata - The annual Christmas cantata will be presented during worship service this Sunday.
upcoming events
Make note of the classes and events available in the near future
Christmas Eve & Day - There will be a Christmas eve program on Tuesday, December 24 at 5:30pm. On Christmas morning, there will be a short worship service at 10am.
Men's Advance - Saturday morning, January 4 will be the annual men's advance. Men, as you consider closing the book on 2024 and opening the next year, how will you advance? Plan to join us.
Men's Advance - Saturday morning, January 4 will be the annual men's advance. Men, as you consider closing the book on 2024 and opening the next year, how will you advance? Plan to join us.
the Lord's day
The kids practiced for the program during SS - their final time.
We worshipped this "Light of the world" who stepped down into darkness. We will never know how much it cost... for the Son to be born, to live, to suffer, to go to the cross and die. We will never know how much it cost to see our sin upon that cross.
The message was a second message about light. . . The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone --- Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The darkness in the world is directly related to sin. Jesus warned the Jews they would die in their sin and that they would die in their sins (John 8:21, 24). We are all sinful from birth and then we sin (in many different ways). This is the darkness we are in. But Jesus is God. He is the light. He went to the cross to pay that sin debt.
We then stepped into John 9 to consider Jesus again saying "I am the light of the world." This time as He healed a man blind from birth. Just as Jesus healed this man who was in physical darkness from birth, so can He heal us - we who are in spiritual darkness from birth.
We worshipped this "Light of the world" who stepped down into darkness. We will never know how much it cost... for the Son to be born, to live, to suffer, to go to the cross and die. We will never know how much it cost to see our sin upon that cross.
The message was a second message about light. . . The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone --- Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The darkness in the world is directly related to sin. Jesus warned the Jews they would die in their sin and that they would die in their sins (John 8:21, 24). We are all sinful from birth and then we sin (in many different ways). This is the darkness we are in. But Jesus is God. He is the light. He went to the cross to pay that sin debt.
We then stepped into John 9 to consider Jesus again saying "I am the light of the world." This time as He healed a man blind from birth. Just as Jesus healed this man who was in physical darkness from birth, so can He heal us - we who are in spiritual darkness from birth.
• If God is for us, who can be against us? Matthew 19:16-26
This is one seven questions asked in Romans 8:31-39. Who can be against us? Well, if God is for us, none can be against us. God the Father is on our side. Jesus, the Son of God is on our side. The Holy Spirit is on our side. God’s angels and other believers are on our side. There is opposition, though. Our sinful natures are sure against us. Non-believers are often against us. Satan is wholeheartedly against us. Death is against us. Even God’s law seems to be against us. But, the law is fulfilled through Christ! Our sinful natures are conquered by Jesus! Non-believers, Satan and his minions… though they may try to oppose us, they will be destroyed! And death? It’s just a change of address! The question is probably better read like this: If God is for us, who can be against us? Oh, the sweet victory that is ours in Christ!!!
Prayer Prods
- Dave W - knee surgery Thursday morning
- Cheri V and Amy M recovering from surgeries
- Kathie P began chemo last week
- Upcoming cantata and other Christmas specials - as they point to Christ
- A few in need of employment
- The nation as we transition to a new presidency over the next month
- The "hustle and bustle" - may it not be a distraction from Christ
- Those reminded of one or more who are no longer with them for Christmas
