Church family,
I pray that your Christmas season is blessed. I am amazed yet again at the work the Lord is doing in our church. This past Sunday, we had a great time of worship led by our choir. On Sunday evening, our live nativity was a hit, and we had a great turnout. So many families participated in making our live nativity such a great event. I want to thank everyone who served that night, and it is so encouraging to see a serving church with a heart for our community. We provided professional photos with Santa Manley to families, and those who wanted a photo picked up a photo voucher to bring to one of our services to receive their photo. We had 39 people take a voucher to get their picture, so tonight or on Sunday, we will have new families visit us. I encourage you to keep an eye out for those new families and pray for them as they visit St. James.
This coming Sunday, we will have communion and will continue in our series "The Manger and the Throne." It will be another great day of the Lord, and I look forward to worshipping the Lord with you. This Sunday, we will focus on God’s promises. The promises of God can always be trusted. Mary, the mother of Jesus, demonstrated trust in God's promises. In Luke 1, we see Mary's faith and trust in God's promises when she visits Elizabeth.
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Luke 1:39-45 NKJV
We all need a supportive friend or family member during difficult times. As followers of God, we should aspire to be that source of support for others. Elizabeth served as a source of support for Mary when Mary had a profound encounter with the Holy Spirit, as revealed by an angel. This moment transformed not only Mary's future but also the world's, and she needed someone to share her news with.
Elizabeth, an older relative of Mary, was not chosen solely because of her age or familial connection. Instead, it was God's divine anointing that equipped her to hear Mary's significant revelation, fulfilling God's purpose of preparing the way for the Savior. Mary was pregnant with Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and needed Elizabeth's companionship. Elizabeth's life was a testament to God's presence and favor, providing Mary with the encouragement she needed.
Consider who in your life demonstrates a visible sign of God's presence and support.
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Brandon
