Church family,

We are just eight days away from Christmas, can you believe it?

Tonight, we will honor Bobby and Kendrick for their faithful years of service to our church. Bobby and Kendrick have retired from their roles, and we will celebrate them at our midweek meal tonight. Bobby has served as our custodian for many years, and Kendrick has played the organ at our traditional services. Both Bobby and Kendrick, and their families, will still be faithful members of our church.  

We have contracted with a cleaning service and hired Mark Silvey to keep our church clean and set up for events. Johnna Stafford will be our organist beginning the first of the year. We are so thankful that these positions have been filled. I look forward to celebrating these two men with you tonight at our midweek Christmas meal.

Reminder

Tomorrow evening from 5-7pm, we will be caroling to some of our homebound individuals. If you are available tomorrow evening, join us as we share the joy of Christmas. Meet us at the church at 5pm.

Sermon Reflection

The past Sunday, the sermon titled "Isaiah’s Promise" focused on the prophetic messages found in Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, and 52:13–53:12, highlighting God's unwavering commitment to His people and the promise of salvation through Christ. The sermon explored the historical context of Isaiah's prophecies during the Syro-Ephraimite War, illustrating how the prophecy of Immanuel signifies not only immediate hope for King Ahaz but also a broader messianic promise. The message underscores the transformative titles of Jesus, such as Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace, and emphasizes His sacrificial love as foretold in Isaiah 53. Isaiah's prophecy reassures believers of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises through Christ, encouraging trust in His plan for redemption amid uncertainty.

I have provided some reflection from this past Sunday’s message. I encourage you to take time to revisit the passages and let God’s word inspire you.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

Week 2—Isaiah’s Promise

Text: Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 52:13–53:12

Topics: Servant of the Lord, Incarnation, Immanuel

Big Idea of the Message: Isaiah promised the arrival of God’s Savior nearly seven hundred years before the birth of Christ.

Application Point: The incarnation points to the fulfillment of God’s promise through Isaiah and to the way God restored human beings to himself through the death of his Son.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?

2. Who has made the greatest sacrifice in your life for you personally? What was so critical about this sacrifice? How did it help you to see your value?

3. Read Isaiah 7:14 and 9:1–7. How do these passages help you better understand the importance of the incarnation? How do they point you to seeing the love of God better?

4. Read Isaiah 52:13–53:12. Take a few moments to consider the ways the Servant is described. What do you see? How will the Servant help others?

5. Read Matthew 8:17; Luke 22:37; 1 Peter 2:24–25; and Acts 8:32–33. How do these passages show that Jesus was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy? How do they help you better understand the significance of Jesus’s incarnation?

6. How can we pray for you?

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Brandon