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TRANSCRIPT
CHURCH OF CHRIST
December 24, 2017
Five Words
(John 1:1-18)
This time of year, our readings from the Gospels tend to focus on the accounts in Matthew and Luke. And for reason. It is in those accounts that we have recorded some historical detail about the coming of Jesus to this earth. In the gospel of John there are no historical details. Matthew focuses on Jesus’ heritage from Abraham, Luke traces his genealogy to Adam in the opposite direction, Mark has nothing. John begins with a Word and Creation. It cannot be called a Nativi-ty, but the arrival of Jesus in to the world is announced in five powerful, redeeming words, “And the Word became flesh.” The story then quickly moves in Hebrew storytelling fashion with, “and dwelt among us, and we have beheld his glory.”
If ever there were more needed words than these, I do not know what they are. The other accounts tell us who Jesus is and the events that surrounded his birth. The narrative in John tells us why his birth is important. It tells us that the creator of the universe is part of the system – he is not an impassive, unconcerned creator. He is one who loves and cares for his creation.
He came into the world offering life and light. He is the light that shined into and overcame the darkness in the world. These are ancient words and concepts that still resonate with us today and they still inspire hope in us in spite of all that would pull us down. In John the incarnation happened and the inn, Bethlehem, Herod, the wise men, Mary and Joseph, Egypt are not even mentioned. He crashed in without the story as it were. It is a very different way to look at Christmas.
He, the Word, came to his own and was not received. These verses come before the wonderful announcement of the Word becoming flesh which indicates that the true light which was coming into the world was represented not only by Christ, but also by the law given by Moses. The Law was always viewed as representing God’s mercy and grace on his people – but it was rejected over and over again.
Those who received the Christ are rewarded with life and power to become children of God, by God’s will. There is no political intrigue, no running to hide, no great songs – just raw and glorious power crashing in, full of glory and mercy and grace.
This morning we are going to talk just a little bit about these five words, “And the Word became flesh” and what they mean to us today. They move us well past all trappings of the Christmas season and get to the heart of it all – God be-came flesh and dwelt among us!
WELCOME
Please fill out the information sheet found in the maroon binder at the end of your pew.
*An attended nursery is provided during worship assembly.
*Communion—We celebrate the resurrection of our Lord every Sunday (“first day of the week”) through a time of communion known as the Lord’s Supper. The “unleavened bread” represents His body and the “fruit of the vine” (cup of grape juice) represents His blood shed on the cross. As our guest, you are welcome to participate, though you are not required to do so. *Giving– We are challenged to be good stewards of God’s blessings by supporting the various minis-
tries of the church through a weekly collection that is taken during our worship time. You are wel-come to give, but please do not feel as though you must.
TONIGHT: Enjoy time with your family. Wednesday: Auditorium 6:30pm, 6:45pm class
Note from Landon: Merry Christmas!!
Ryan Hill-Valdosta, GA Pompea Adams-National Guard BJ Perkins-Afghanistan Jason Rushing-Air Nat’l Guard Christopher Goodale-USMC Cameron Hurst--USAF Hans Niestrath-USNA
Worship Order
Order of Worship Sunday, December 24, 2017
Congreg.Reading: John 1:1-5 #1002 Angels We Have Heard On High
Prayer-Brock Shoulders #998 What Child Is This?
Lord’s Supper Dan Rust K.Ashby
James Allen G. Dillingham Darin Swaidner B. Kittinger
Presiding: Kenneth Ashby Contribution
No Children’s Church #1003 Silent Night
Scripture Reading: John 1:1-13 (Eric S) #995 It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
#997 O Come, All Ye Faithful Lesson: Sean Niestrath
Prayer-Jacob Scott Shine On Us
Benediction: Luke 2:67-79
ALTERNATES:
Please meet in case you
are needed to serve as a
sub for the Lord’s Supper
December:
Larry Keith
Tyler Malik
Prepare communion:
December: Wilma
January: Wilkerson
For the Record:
Last Sunday
Bible Class: 83
Worship: 139
Contribution:
$4991.00
Wednesday: 73
December 24, 2017
Monitor: Tim Teel
Nursery: Megan Scott
Children’s Church: none
Sound Booth: Parker
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Prayer: James Allen
Prayer: Randy Travis
Scripture: Darin Swaidner
Monitor: Quincy Stephenson
Nursery: Krista Teel
Children’s Church: Clark
Serving the Lord’s Table:
Dan Rust K. Ashby
James Allen G. Dillingham
Darin Swaidner B. Kittinger
Presiding: Dan Rust
Sound Booth—David
ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 26—Margo Ashby
December 27—Kaylie Seesengood
December 27—Byron & Brenda Pruitt
December 28—Emma Jean Scott
December 29—Tyler Malik
CALENDAR:
Dec 18-Jan 1—Christmas Break
Dec 31st-NYE get together@ building
Jan 20—Servant Saturday
Jan 28—Potluck & Meeting
Expecting Parents:
January 1—Ellen & Sean McGrath (Girl)
Dana & Benjamin Cook
Kelley & G.R. Chandler
Sunday PM Topic: No service tonight.
Out with the old, in with
the new!! The yellow
classroom is now open
for yard sale donations!
Starting next Sunday through March
Ronny will begin a morning class on
Israel in Exile-Daniel & Esther.
When we meet:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:30 A.M. Worship 10:30 A.M.
Sunday P.M.
At the building 6 P.M.
Small Groups Sept—May: various times; contact Sean Niestrath
Wednesday
Bible Study 6:30 P.M.
Contact Us:
Office: 8:00-12:00 M-F Phone: 270-825-0304
Email: [email protected] Mailing address: P.O. Box 161 Madisonville, KY 42431
-Bulletin Deadline: Friday, 10 am
Minister:
Sean Niestrath 269-352-9134 [email protected]
Youth Minister:
Landon Moore
731-676-3442 [email protected]
Missionaries:
Paulo Mirabelli Via Pacchiarotti, 52 00139 ROMA-ITALIA
Marvin Rivera, Honduras Email: [email protected]
Elders:
Barry Webb– 270-339-8429 [email protected]
Dan Rust— 812-746-5635 [email protected]
Byron Pruitt— 270-841-7518 [email protected]
Ronny Stubblefield— 270-635-5360
Sean Niestrath— 269-352-9134 [email protected]
Pennyrile Christian Counseling
Elizabeth B. Webb, LMFT, LCSW To make an appointment, call 270-825-8746.
Deacons:
Jeremy Duggin, James Rust, Joshua Scott
Brock Shoulders, Steve Stoltz, Darin Swaidner
Tim Teel, Randy Travis
PRAYER REQUESTS
Remember the Gill girls in your prayers as their grandmother, Teressa Alford, passed away Thursday.
Serious Illness/Injury: Buddy Young, Keitha’s brother Rita Frazier, lung cancer, Barbara’s SIL Kim Feltner, Tim’s sister Scott Nutt, cancer, Gaye’s son Bryce Alexander, leukemia Michael Skultety, cancer, Jane Marvin Gallagher Mike Bright, health issues Phil Keith Linda Beaver, cancer, Angela’s mom Ruffin Chandler George Teel, cancer Novella Sue Beadnell Keith Roberts, cancer, EJ Tonya Sorrels, cancer Betty & Kim Stanley Bruce Coleson, MS Makenzie Carson, L. Russell Ed Wallace, liver transplant Melinda Brown, Pete’s niece Brady Cobb, intestinal problems Barbara Lynch, Shelia Judy Harrison, heart attack Charles Smallwood, Micki’s father Peggy Grace, cancer Wayne Warszona, Parkinson’s Lynn Stevens, cancer Darla Evans, breast cancer James Caudill, cancer Malcolm Rust, cancer Greg & Kim McGuire Aaron Reding, ALS Colette Wheler, cancer Buddy Jenkins, Karen S. father Mack Shearn Jeff Travis, waiting on kidney Ann Hampton, Terry’s aunt Chess Riddle Sr. cancer, Diana George Utley, cancer Audrey Davis, 4yr.old, leukemia Dwayne Brown Tammy Langenright, Hodgkin’s disease Jonathan Allen, MS Tracey Moore, illness Oretha Gammon, stroke Scotty Mitchell, health & family Wayne Edwards, stroke Barry Newton, Keith’s friend, cancer Larry Crowder, lymphoma, Byron Janetta Brown Sherry Mitchell, cancer
Shut-Ins & Elderly: Lee Townsend, Glenda’s mother
Junie Peterson, Bonnie’s aunt
Ewing Stubblefield, Ronny’s father
Anna Etta Brown, Kivil’s mother
Ruth Shoulders, Pete’s mother
Joan Atwell, Shirley’s mother
Ann Alderson, Mark & Gayle’s sister
Don Niestrath