Announcements
SYMPATHY: to Michele Heim and family at the passing of her mother, Betty Bizzarri, on Tuesday, November 28. The funeral was held yesterday in Westminster.
SYMPATHY: to Katherine Adelaide at the passing of her mother, Louise Patricia Adelaide, on Thursday, September 7, in Springville, VA.
CONGRATULATIONS: to William & Anne-Marie Albaugh and Mary Ann Albaugh on the birth of their granddaughter/great-granddaughter, Kalani May Green, born on Wednesday, November 29, weighing 9 lbs., 6 oz., and 20 inches long. The proud parents are Ryan & Anna Green.
THANK YOU: for the outpouring of support following the passing of my husband, Pastor John Campbell. Thank you for all your prayers during this difficult time. I was overwhelmed by the cards, meals, and kind words from the church family. In Christ, Shirley Campbell
THANK YOU: I would like to thank my church family for their cards and prayers at the passing of my mother. Thanks to Pastor Norris for his clear presentation of the gospel; seven people raised their hand indicating that they accepted the Lord! Aaron Schmidt
THANK YOU: We would like to express our gratitude to all our COD family for the prayers for Lucy. She is doing well and getting stronger every day. The miracle of healing has been performed! Omar & Lucy Echegoyen
CHRISTMAS OUTREACH: Please make sure your wrapped gifts are dropped off at the Welcome Desk by next Sunday, December 17.
OFFERING ENVELOPES: for 2024 are available for pick-up in the Church hallway. Anyone who would like to request tithing envelopes may contact the Church Office at (410) 876-3838, ext. 303.
From My Heart
We have some great events coming up throughout the month of December. Mark your calendars for our Christmas cantata on December 17th at 6:00 p.m. Invite your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers, and we will trust the Lord to bless us with folks coming to the Lord that evening. Pastor Brian, the choir, and the orchestra always do a great job of presenting the Gospel in song and in narration - which is a great opportunity to see people presented with the real message of Christmas.
Christmas is on a Monday this year, so we will be having a full day of services on the 24th. We will have Sunday School as usual, at 9:45 a.m. Then at 6:00 p.m., we will have our Christmas Eve candlelight service. I hope you will plan to be here for that special service. This service usually is only about an hour long, and we will have some beautiful Christmas music and an appropriate Christmas message with an invitation for folks to receive Christ. The candlelight is always a great touch to help create an atmosphere of Christmas and appreciation for God sending His Son into the world as our Redeemer.
On December 31st, New Year’s Eve, we will have church services as usual. I have a couple of ideas for some things during the evening service that I think we will enjoy! I will give you more information as the time draws closer!
The Apostle Paul quotes the Lord Jesus in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Many folks struggle with this truth, but the strength of this adage is how deep in our hearts we know it is true. It has been shown over and over that it is better to be on the giving end than to be on the receiving end.
One way to see how God reveals this principle is to simply realize that giving is how God demonstrates His love for us. The most recognized verse in the Bible is John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” As we grow and mature, we eventually discover that love does one thing with an amazing consistency; it gives.
It has also been studied and discovered that giving makes a person happy. You certainly remember how happy you were when you were able to give gifts to your children at Christmas. You can remember how happy and excited your children were when they saw the presents you gave them! And by your giving - you gained so much enjoyment watching the reaction of your children.
Let’s take that truth and apply it to our daily life! We can make it Christmas 365 days out of the year! How? By giving to others! Giving simply makes us happy! And maybe giving is a way to create in our lives that feeling of happiness that seems to elude so many folks today! We certainly could all be more giving!
Have a wonderful day!
Pastor Norris