Sunday In Review - December 28

We worshiped to this new song on Sunday - did you love it?

Children's Worship

• Memorizing Genesis-2 Chronicles.
• Looked at The King of All Kings, from Matthew 2 
• The wise men knew Jesus was king, so they gave him gifts and worshiped him.  We also can treat Jesus as King and live with Jesus as our King.
• Led by Brad & Heidi Sweet and Chuck Boots.

*Community Hour, Preschool & Kids Community, will resume January 11th

Sunday In Review & a Story and Song, Too ~ December 21

    

Children's Worship

• Looked at The Light of the Whole World
• Memorizing books of the Old Testament
• God told the shepherds the good news that Jesus was born. This news was for everyone, everywhere, and is good news for us, too!
• Led by Matt and Sarah Perkins.

                       

 

A Word for the Christmas-Weary

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"  Is it?

"Have a cup of Christmas cheer!"   Is that a sly alcohol reference I am henceforth wise to?

"'Tis the season to be jolly!'   And tired, over-sugared, and over-scheduled.

I am NOT Ebenezer Scrooge!  I love some aspects of Christmas:  fresh pine Christmas trees; Christmas carols -beatboxed or crooned; my kids making gifts for one another. Christmas cards that come in the mail (y'all are GORGEOUS!). Lighting our Advent candles over dinner.  Reading of Jesus' birth and ruminating on its mystery.  I love Christmas.

I bemoan creating the perfect Christmas.  No outside decorations this year?  My fail = Joneses win.  Not really nailing it in the Christmas-baking department.  "Look at it this way, Family, we won't gain any weight this year!"  Time to send out a Christmas card.  Oh - no perfect family photo?  No Christmas card, again.

I resent helping with your perfect Christmas!  "Nope, I still don't own a Christmas-y sweater; I like your ugly one, though."  "I'd rather not kiss you under your mistletoe, if it's all the same to you."  "Did I remember to get you a gift?  I can barely remember groceries!"

I'd like the turn back the clock to the days when I wasn't the Responsible One.  Being  irresponsible or penniless really has its perks.  Very low expectations placed on that group.  Show up for an event and enjoy.  Sit down for the dinner and partake.  Not so for the Responsible One.  

When the Responsible One is now the Christmas Weary- When you are the Go-To Person, to whom can you go?  This is my dilemma.  Over creamy coffee, I pour out these feelings to my best friend.  He's the Prince of Peace, after all - seems like a good place to turn.  I whine.  I cry.  I lament, "God, it seems like all I do is serve!  Who is serving ME?"

Be still, my soul: You will not believe the answer.  Jesus, by His Spirit, as only Jesus can do, shocked me with, "I serve YOU. I stoop to pick you up; I carry you through."  How quickly I forget.  

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

[He] made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men....  (Philippians 2:7)

My whining turns to worship as I recall a myriad Scripture references of Jesus as servant. He comes knocking at my door: He clothes me with robes of righteousness; He prepares a banquet for me; He makes me radiant; He restores my soul.  

Jesus sounds a lot like the Responsible One. The Perfect One. The Servant-Savior.  I am called to serve others;  you are, too.  But we don't serve alone.  We are in the company of Jesus, our brother, who not only showed the way, He is The Way.  Jesus cares deeply and tenderly for me.  My perspective changes.  

The Christmas-Weary finds rest.  

Sunday in Review & A Joy Song, Too - Dec 14

Rooted In Jesus

• Children sang songs like: The Fruit of the Spirit!  
• Completed Rooted in Jesus.

Kids' Community

• God Will Provide Your Needs! It's a promise!
• Matthew 6:26 (Are you not more valuable than the birds!?)

Children's Worship

• Memorizing Genesis-2 Chronicles.
• Looked at He's Here! The Nativity, from Luke 2
• Jesus, the King, was born - God came to live with us! Emmanuel!
• Led by Nene Akinbola and Mike Benz.

    Joy - Seeds Family Worship - check out this song for your kids!

https://seedsfamilyworship.bandcamp.com/track/joy-luke-2-8-14

Sunday In Review - December 7th

Rooted In Jesus

• Children sang songs like: The Fruit of the Spirit!  
• Reviewed the 9 fruit we've been learning.

Kids' Community

• The LORD will guide you! It's a promise!
• Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Children's Worship

• Memorizing Genesis-2 Chronicles.
• Looked at Get Ready!  (For Jesus!)
• The prophets told about Jesus' coming to earth.
• Led by Randa and Lucie Nader.

All I Want for Christmas ~ Advent Devotional, digital version

CLICK HERE for entire devotional to view or print:
https://docs.google.com/a/christcommunitycarmel.org/document/d/18pOx5xDl4VmWXnHKqnRuDG8yzp9gYqL0Q4GCV7C7bW8/edit?usp=sharing

Or CLICK HERE to print out just this week's devotional page/s:
http://www.christcommunitycarmel.org/#/resources/sermon-discussion-guides

Sunday in Review & A Song, Too

Sunday In Review - November 23

Christmas Carol of the Week:

Rooted In Jesus

• Children sang songs like: Good Morning God!  
• Children learned that God gives self-control!

Kids' Community

• God Hears Your Prayers -  It's a promise.
• Psalm 34:15, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry."

Children's Worship

• Exodus 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before me."
• Memorizing Genesis-2 Kings.
• Looked at The Warrior Leader (Joshua leading the people into Jericho.  
• God was with them, and He will always be with us.
• Led by Steve Sandvig and Suzanne Veitz.