Tuesday, November 29, 2011

What People Really Want for Christmas

REDISCOVER CHRISTMAS!



Sermon November 27, 2011, on Matthew 1:18-25.  



What is Christmas? It is not the holiday rush, or the songs we sing and the throngs we navigate.  It is a humble baby in a manger.

Worship not the wrappings and trappings of the season, but the Christ of Christmas.  This advent season we are going to rediscover Christmas.  

In Dr. Suess’ book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! the Grinch, a bitter, cave-dwelling creature with a heart "two sizes too small", lives on snowy Mount Crumpit, a steep, high mountain just north of Whoville, the home of the merry and warm-hearted Whos.   The Whos go about their holiday preparations with shopping, mailing packages and cards, decorating their homes, planning the Christmas feast with the Who pudding and roast beast, and a Whobilation extravaganza. 

The Grinch is critical of the commercialization of Christmas and those who profit from exploiting the holiday; not because he is so much better, but because he is jealous of the joy they seem to have.  He thinks their joy comes from the hoopla, but in the end the Grinch decides, “Maybe Christmas... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!”  The Grinch and the Whos discover Christmas is about relationship. 

Today we will look at the hope we find in relationship with God through the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel – God with Us.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Bucket Lists

Sermon November 13, 2011, on Joel 2:28, Matthew 6:33, Colossians 3:1.  We are continuing a Sermon Series on Extravagant Generosity - the Heart of Giving.  What are your hopes and dreams for our congregation?

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Art of Love

Sermon November 6, 2011 on John 13:34-35.  We are continuing our Sermon Series on Extravagant Generosity - the Heart of Giving.  Who has made a difference in your spiritual life?

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Riches of the Heart

Sermon October 30, 2011, on 1 Timothy 6:17-19.  We begin our new Sermon Series, "Extravagant Generosity - the Heart of Giving."  What do you love about our church?