Advent Greetings Saints,
I love the entire Christmas season and look forward to our 4th Sunday Advent
celebration in the morning.
Please remember that we are continuing our commitment to the "advent conspiracy"
which means intentionally undermining our secularized-encultured season of
narcissism, commercialism and consumerism by giving to those who are in need.
See the video below for the Advent Conspiracy challenge.
In order to assist in this endeavor, a special offering will be received in the morning to
bless third world under privledged Honduran Pastors by investing in their ministry
development training.
When preparing what to give, bear in mind that these third world shepherds function
with only a 5-6th grade education level. Our goal is to raise $ 1000.00 for this noble
endeavor. More to be be shared in the morning.
Also, we will finalize attendance in the morning to our festive "Christmas by Candlelight"
Friday December 23rd at Taste of Lemon. This celebratory event will be lieu of our
normal Sunday morning Gathering due to Christmas day being on Sunday.
Since The Gathering is underwriting the evening, please take advantage of the
opportunity to freely Gospelize "UNCHURCHED" co-workers, friends and relatives by
inviting them to join you in atending.
Finally, consider these "10 Commandments of Christmas" so that our priorities will
reflect a Christ Centered Season:
I. Thou shalt not leave “Christ” out of “Christmas” nor refuse to use the word Christmas
during this season.
II. Thou shalt demonstrate joy to the world, for the Lord is come.
III. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus take the place of the reality of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.
IV. Thou shalt remember that the value of gifts we give and receive is the love that's behind them.
V. Thou shalt consider the words of Jesus,”It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
VI. Thou shalt not neglect Christ and His church during the Christmas Season.
VII. Thy Christmas Cards shall bear the good news of the coming of Christ and His salvation.
VIII. Thou shalt be kind to those who serve; the cashier, the merchant, and the mail carrier.
IX. Thou shalt remember the greatest gift of all, when God gave His only begotten Son.
X. In all thy giving, thou shalt give a gift to the One whose birthday we celebrate. Appropriate recipients shall be missions, thy church, and those in need.
-David R. Brumbelow. Brumbelow is a pastor and writes at gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com.
Click on http://www.adventconspiracy.org/
