Announcements
SYMPATHY: to Rob & Terri Ward and Josh & Kristen Duvall and their family, at the passing of their uncle/great-uncle, Glen Breon, on Sunday, December 15. A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, December 21, in Lewistown, PA.
IN MEMORY: The flower was placed on the organ by the family of Robert Chrest, who passed away December 22, 2019.
NURSERY WORKERS: Don’t forget to stop by the Nursery after the morning service today, to see Anne-Marie!
REMINDERS FOR THIS WEEK: There will be No Wednesday evening service on December 25, and there will be no organized Soul-Winner’s visitation or dinner on Thursday, December 26.
GRIEFSHARE: The next session begins on Tuesday, January 7, at 6:30 p.m. Come be part of our next session that helps individuals find comfort, healing, and hope after the loss of a loved one. Please sign up at the Welcome Desk, or see Kathy Reed for more information.
From My Heart
Christmas carols are some of the most beautiful songs ever written. We all love to sing them and rejoice in their beautiful message. One of my personal favorites is “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” This hymn was written by a preacher named Phillip Brooks. This man was a great preacher, gifted orator, and poet, who dedicated his life to reaching children with the Gospel of Christ. When he passed away, one of his members went in to tell her five-year-old daughter that Pastor Brooks had gone on to Heaven, and the little girl smiled and said, “Oh Mama! How happy the angels of Heaven will be!”
In 1865, Brooks took a trip that would forever impact his life and ministry. He traveled to the Holy Land and spent Christmas in Bethlehem. He went down the hill to the Fields of Boaz, where traditionally the shepherds saw the night sky light up with the Shekinah Glory of God, to announce our Lord’s birth. As he looked back up to the top of the ridge, where the city was illuminated by the eerie light of the moon, Brooks would later write, “Again and again it seemed I could hear voices telling each other of the “Wonderful Night” of the Savior’s birth.”
Once Brooks traveled home to Philadelphia, the words of a new song had been rolling around in his mind and heart. A couple of years later, in 1868, he was preparing for the Christmas service for his Sunday School, and as he reviewed all the music he wanted to use, his mind went back to that Christmas Eve he spent in Bethlehem. He could see in his mind’s eye the Shepherd’s Fields and see the little town of Bethlehem glowing with candlelight and shadows cast by the moon.
It was then that he sat down and penned the words, “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by.” On and on the verses just seemed to flow from his pen, until his words reached the zenith of what Christmas is all about, “O come to us, abide in us, our Lord, Emmanuel.”
He immediately hurried to the home of Mr. Lewis Redner, who was the organist of the church. Mr. Redner agreed to try his hand at writing an appropriate melody to fit Brook’s powerful words. The next day, on Christmas morning, there were many happy children when it was announced that their pastor had written a special Christmas song just for them!
It took about 20 years to catch on, but today it is sung around the world. I pray you have a wonderful day! Merry Christmas to all of our church family!
Pastor Norris