Luke 5:67-80 NRSV

Luke 5:67-80 NRSV

Matthew 1:1-17 An Unlikely Family Tree Summary: Merry Christmas! Today we're going to get ready to celebrate Christmas by looking at an unlikely part of the Christmas story: the list of Jesus' family tree. Although it might seem odd, this list of names shows us that God was faithful to his ancient promise to bring us a Savior, and that is good news for all of us! 1. Jesus is the long awaited Savior 2. Jesus is the Good News for unlikely people Verse: Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why would Matthew give this genealogy of Jesus' ancestry before telling of His birth? Why is that important? 2. Why did Jesus need to be shown to be the

Ezra 3:1-4, 10-13 NRSV

Philippians 2:5-11 Christmas Servanthood Summary: One of the most amazing things about celebrating Christmas is remembering that Jesus, the God of the whole universe, took flesh like you and me! Christmas is great because God became a man, all to save us. Today in worship, we also get to participate in ordaining new elders and deacons. Let's think about how Jesus came to save us, and how he gives us the strength to serve him. Outline: 1. Jesus’ glory 2. Jesus’ humbling 3. Jesus’ exaltation Memory Verse: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. (Philippians 2:5-6) Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What does Philippians 2:5-11 tell us about Jesus' attitude toward his mission to take flesh and save us? 2. Why is it so important to believe that

The Second Sunday of Advent Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel. (Matthew 1:23)

Numbers 6:22-27 The Blessing of God’s Name

Jeremiah 33:14-18 NRSV

2 Kings 22:1-10; 23:1-3 NRSV

Covenant Faithfulness Ruth 2:17-23 Summary: Throughout the Bible, God makes a promise to save his people. Sometimes we call it a covenant. God is always faithful to his covenant! In the book of Ruth, God is showing us a picture of this through the man named Boaz, who treated Naomi and Ruth with covenant faithfulness. Let's see it in action: Outline: 1. A heart reopened by covenant faithfulness 2. A redeemer acting in covenant faithfulness Verse: Ruth 2:20 “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. When Ruth returned after the day of gleaning in Boaz' field, how did Naomi respond? How is Naomi's heart becoming more softened toward the Lord, compared to chapter one? 2. How is God's covenant faithfulness toward us reflected in the actions of Boaz? How does Boaz show us Jesus? 3. How might your own heart need to be softened toward God? Have the experiences of this life hardened you toward Him? Meditate today on the faithfulness of God in the Gospel, and ask him to stir up your heart in worship today.

Ruth 2:1-16 The Shelter of His Wings Summary: Do things happen by accident? Is God in control of even the little details? Jesus tells us that God is concerned even for the smallest bird (Matthew 6:26). How much more is he in control of every detail of our lives too? Let's think about God's good plan in Ruth's life today: Outline: 1. Divine

1 Kings 18:20-39 NRSV

Ruth 1:19-22 Call Me Mara Summary: Sometimes in our life hard things happen to us. We might ask:

1Kings 12:1-17, 25-29

Ruth 1:6 -18 Covenant Loyalty Summary: Trusting Jesus and following him in this life seems crazy to an unbelieving world. Today in the book of Ruth we hear about Naomi again as she returns home to Israel. But she urges her daughters-in-law to return to Moab and not come with her. Orpah choose to go back. But even though it seems hopeless, Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi. Let's find out why, and think about how it shows us Jesus, and the call to follow him: Outline: 1. A call to decision 2. An unlikely evangelist 3. A response of faith Verse: Ruth 1:16b ...For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why did Orpah choose to go back to Moab? 2. What do we learn about Naomi's worldview and her view of God in this passage? 3. Why does Ruth choose to stay? What do her words show us about her faith? How do they point us to Jesus and what he would do for us? 4. How does this passage teach us about the call to discipleship? How might God want to change you as a result?

Luke 18:9-14 The Pharisee & the Tax Collector Summary: Two men went up to the Temple to pray. One of them received what he was seeking, and the other did not. Today we will hear of the problem of both of these men, their need for righteousness, and how they, and we, can attain a righteousness fit for the Kingdom of God. Outline: 1. The scene as they saw it 2. The scene as Jesus saw it 3. The scene as we see it and live it Verse for Kids bulletin Philippians 2:8 And being found in human form, Jesus Christ humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Jesus told the parable of two very different people: the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. In which ways were they alike? How were they different? 2. Jesus told this parable to correct the problems of sin, self-righteousness, and treating others with contempt (looking down on others). How do you see these problems in this day and age? 3. Do you relate to either of the characters in the parable? In which ways? 4. How was the Tax Collector justified, that is, made right with God? How are you justified?

Ruth 1:1-6 Bitter Providence, Far from Home Summary: Have you ever heard of Ruth in the Bible? Today we start looking at her story as we hear about her mother-in-law Naomi and their struggles long ago. Today let's listen as we think about suffering, the struggle to trust God, and his unstoppable plans for us. Outline: 1. Hard choices 2. Bitter providence 3. Returning home Verse: Psalm 61:1–2a 1 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; 2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why is the setting of this book

Titus 3:12-15 Words of Care for the Church Summary: Have you ever written a letter to someone? When we finish a letter, sometimes we'll say,

Sermon Text: Gen.2:4-25 Sermon Title: Garden Freedom Outline: Free to Be, Free to Enjoy Kid's bulletin Verse: Gen. 2:7 Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. Summary: True life and freedom are found in the presence of God

2 Samuel 23:8-39 The King's Mighty Men Summary: Today we stop and give thanks to God for those who serve and lead among us as elders and deacons. Listen to the amazing story in 2 Samuel 23 of David's mighty men and their deeds. They loved and served their king! It reminds us that Jesus (the greater king!) is worthy of our whole lives. God calls all of us (not just leaders!) to be wholly devoted to king Jesus. 1. Zeal and courage 2. Worship and sacrifice 3. Weakness and grace Verse: Revelation 5:13b “...To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What motivated the courage of David’s mighty men to risk their lives? 2. Why do you think David poured out the water that the men brought back from Bethlehem? What could we learn from this about our own service to King Jesus? 3. Most leaders in God's church do not feel like one of those mighty men. And yet what might this passage teach us about Jesus and our motives to serve him? 4. How can you pray for and encourage those who lead as elders and deacons in our church?