Merry Christmas Church!
I hope your time is multiplied this week as you make last minute preparations for the holidays. It's going to be a great weekend at all our locations. This is a great time to invite a friend, as I believe this will be a powerful worship experience. Make plans to be there.
Friday - 12/23 - Lawrenceville Campus @ Lovin Elem.
5:30 pm. - Modern
Saturday - 12/23 - Harmony Grove Campus in Auburn
12:00 p.m. - Traditional Communion
5:00 p.m. - Family Modern Candlelight
7:00 p.m. - Modern Candlelight
Sunday - 12/25 - No Services at any campuses
Sunday - 1/1/17 - ONE Service @ Harmony Grove @ 10:30 a.m.
Thought for the Week"Jesus answered him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.'" John 3:3
One of my favorite lines from any Christmas song is in Hark the Herald Angels Sing when it says, "Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth." That's why Jesus was born. That's why we have Christmas. Christmas happened so you get another chance at this. You can be born again. You don't have to carry around the scars and baggage from the past. In fact, when we do, we dishonor Christmas. The angels praised God because the birth of Jesus was an invitation to a do-over for humanity. You can be new, fresh. Too many people feel like they are too far gone for God. Or, they play the church game but deep down they feel there is something holding them back from really getting serious with Jesus. It's simple. They need to be born again. You don't remember being born, but let me tell you what you were like. Your mind was clear, your conscience was clear. You were fragile but stronger than you looked. You needed your parents, but you were fierce. You worried about nothing. You had not yet made a mistake. Christmas came to give us a second birth. Christmas came to give us another shot at a clear conscience. You've made a lot of mistakes since you were born, but you weren't mean to live with them. You can start over. That's a reason to sing in celebration about the Christ child born to give us a second chance.
Because of Jesus,
Carter
First United Methodist Church of Griffin
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Friday, December 16, 2016
Sunday Preview & Thought for the Week (12.16.16)
Hey Church!
Can you believe we're nine days from Christmas?! I'm so excited! This week we close out our series "Re-Gift" as we talk about "PEACE." I know I need some peace in this hectic season. Also, our Kidz Choir will be singing at both Worship Experiences. You don't want to miss it!
Thought for the Week
"So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." Luke 16:22
Last Sunday we talked about JOY, and it is certainly a theme of the season. Nearly every church will sing Joy to the World over the holidays. We have Christmas decorations with JOY written all over them. I've thought a lot about joy and what it really means. We all want to equate joy and happiness, and that's why it doesn't make sense. Happiness is temporary and circumstantial. None of us can possibly be happy all the time. Loved ones die, disappointment happens, sickness gets us down, and the troubles of the world force us onto an emotional roller coaster. The joy found in Christ is based on the reality that THIS ISN'T IT. There is more to the story. There is an epilogue. There is an alternate ending. The pain, fear, disappointment, and sadness are not the end of the story. Christmas is a reminder of that. Four Hundred years of silence seemed like the end of the story for the people of God. It had been a good run. Prophets preached. Moses delivered. Wars were won. David had slayed giants. But it seemed like God was done. The birth announcement to Mary marked the beginning of a new chapter titled "I'm not done." If you are going through a difficult time, if you are going through a season of silence, if you think you're at the end of your rope -- I want to invite you to embrace joy. It's not pretending that difficult times aren't real. It's the realization that there is a reality that is MORE real. Joy is coming. The silence isn't the end of the story. Never forget that. Your last chapter isn't written yet. God is working on it right now. It's why we can have a joy that transcends circumstances.
In Christ,
Carter
Can you believe we're nine days from Christmas?! I'm so excited! This week we close out our series "Re-Gift" as we talk about "PEACE." I know I need some peace in this hectic season. Also, our Kidz Choir will be singing at both Worship Experiences. You don't want to miss it!
Thought for the Week
"So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." Luke 16:22
Last Sunday we talked about JOY, and it is certainly a theme of the season. Nearly every church will sing Joy to the World over the holidays. We have Christmas decorations with JOY written all over them. I've thought a lot about joy and what it really means. We all want to equate joy and happiness, and that's why it doesn't make sense. Happiness is temporary and circumstantial. None of us can possibly be happy all the time. Loved ones die, disappointment happens, sickness gets us down, and the troubles of the world force us onto an emotional roller coaster. The joy found in Christ is based on the reality that THIS ISN'T IT. There is more to the story. There is an epilogue. There is an alternate ending. The pain, fear, disappointment, and sadness are not the end of the story. Christmas is a reminder of that. Four Hundred years of silence seemed like the end of the story for the people of God. It had been a good run. Prophets preached. Moses delivered. Wars were won. David had slayed giants. But it seemed like God was done. The birth announcement to Mary marked the beginning of a new chapter titled "I'm not done." If you are going through a difficult time, if you are going through a season of silence, if you think you're at the end of your rope -- I want to invite you to embrace joy. It's not pretending that difficult times aren't real. It's the realization that there is a reality that is MORE real. Joy is coming. The silence isn't the end of the story. Never forget that. Your last chapter isn't written yet. God is working on it right now. It's why we can have a joy that transcends circumstances.
In Christ,
Carter
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