STANDING STONE BIBLE

WEEKLY

December 26, 2023

A Point from pastor

Elder Nominations - Now is the time to begin nominating candidates for elder. Members (only) may nominate men to serve as an elder in 2024. Please find nomination forms and information in the narthex. You may submit your nomination (after visiting with the candidate) to one of the following on the nominating committee: Steve Bothwell, Ruth Dorman, Pat Mahan, Chris Sebranek or Pastor Ken Wombacher.

2024 Budget - If you have budget items for consideration in the upcoming year, get these to Kyle Lane soon.

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Christmas Day is over... But the "advent" of our Christ has not ended. The word "advent" is from the Latin adventus which means "coming." This season is about celebration of our Savior's advent and also anticipation of His Second Advent. He is returning again.

As you begin the process these next few weeks of taking down decorations be mindful that they are not thrown away as if the event is over. They are being stored away to be brought out again. The celebration is not over, it only began in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. We live not as those who only look back but those who celebrate the Advent of our Christ, His Second Coming, each week. Let the celebration and excitement continue!

THIS WEEK

Here are the highlights of classes and events THIS week

LIGHThouse Youth Party - The youth are having some Christmas fun Wednesday night beginning at 6pm. According to their newsletter (The Guardian), "There will be snacks, a devotional, a Pie-in-the-Face, and games. There will also be a white elephant gift exchange. Please bring with you something that YOU own from your home."

No Wednesday Activities - There will be no Wednesday night activities (except the LH party tomorrow night). This will be for this week and next (Jan 3).

Christmas Tonight - You may still take in the last Christmas Bible study tonight in Ashland at 5pm.

New Year's Eve - There is a service at 6pm and a family game night at 7pm. Bring a board game and snacks to share. Note: There is no official "end" time for the game night... some may be here until next year.

upcoming events

Make note of the classes and events available in the near future

Elder Exposure - This is an opportunity for any to learn about what being an elder involves. This would any man interested in learning of this office or even ladies wanting to learn about the commitment. This will be at 8am on Saturday, January 6.

Youth Service - The final worship service for 2023 will be youth led. Join us Sunday!

Memorial Service - Virginia's memorial service will be Saturday, January 13th.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

- Matthew 16:24

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

- Proverbs 4:23-27

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

- Jude 1:20-21

the Lord's day

We celebrated the birth of Christ. We opened with a video about how this light has come. We then shared about how this Christ is our creator, healer, provider and almighty God. We then sang praises to our LORD.

The message continued answering "Why the Incarnation?" The fourth answer to "Why the incarnation?" is so that love would be revealed (1 John 4:9). We considered how unloving mankind is but the major change that seemed to take place inside of the church after Jesus came. From 1 John 4:9, Jesus is one of a kind, He was sent that we might live through Him, and He was sent to make God's love manifest in us.

View Past Worship Services

Who is Worthy?

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night (Luke 2:8). Being that these shepherds were near to Jerusalem that night, it is possible these were shepherds keeping watch over animals intended for temple sacrifice. This would mean that these shepherds were more ritually clean than common shepherds. They were the first, aside from Mary and Joseph, to gaze upon and worship God incarnate. While they were possibly, dutifully keeping watch over their flock that night, after the announcement, they would visit and look upon the baby who would one day make them truly clean and eliminate the need to raise sacrificial sheep anymore. This was the night of the Savior’s birth. Jesus is Worthy!

“God will not give any of us every prayer burden. Our responsibility is to present our lives to Him and let Him place on our hearts the prayer burden He has for us.”

- Bill Thrasher

Prayer Prods

1. Gerald B - at home (hospice care)
2. Jeanette recovering from hip surgery
3. Colton is doing well (but a bit of pain)
4. Becky M's knee in serious pain
5. Jessica M's aggressive cancer
6. Peggy O, Kathie P - cancer battles
7. Ashland Bible Church
8. McFarling's family rearrangements and continued legal challenges
9. Dean B needing employment
10. Kathy Page needing kidney stones removed (Jan 3)

Weekly Prayer Prods