Community News 12/21/17

DAY 4 OF WEEK 2

Isaiah 57:15

The Christmas Song

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

If there’s one song that has the “Christmas Spirit” it’s this one. It makes us think of a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. Or maybe we imagine carolers coming to our doors while we offer them some tasty, mulled apple cider fresh off the stove. We attend parties at friends’ houses and services at church. Let’s not forget about being all bundled up on Christmas morning with our families while the most beautiful snowflakes fall to the ground. 

And then in the midst of our Christmas illusions, our children storm into the room yelling “Mom!” or “Dad!” because someone hit them, or because one of them use the other’s pellet gun without asking, or because one of the neighbors took their basketball away, or because they fell off the zip line. Oh, for the love of all that is good and right in the world, can we not stay in our little piece of Christmas paradise just a tad bit longer? 

That’s life, isn’t it? No matter how perfect we try to paint the canvas of our lives, there will always be something extra put on it that wasn’t in our minds when we dreamed it. Something that cramps our perfect picture. Something that breaks our heart.

A relationship that ended.
A loved one who died prematurely.
The betrayal of a friend.

Did you know that God isn’t surprised by the interruptions in our lives? In fact, nothing surprises Him. Don’t mistake bad things happening in your life as His loss of control. No, this is not about His ability but about His sovereignty. 

While we may wish that bad things would never happen in our lives, they will happen. Jesus said we’d have trouble (John 16:33), but He also promised that He’d calm us in the midst of it (John 14:16). So, no matter where we are in life, whether we expected to be on the path we are on or not, rest assured, that our God can make broken things beautiful. 

Friend, we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who’ve been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Press on and trust in the One who will never let you down.

Questions:
How have you seen God in control in the midst of life’s interruptions?

Adapted From:  Carols A Christmas Devotion - You Version

Community News 12/20/17

DAY 3 OF WEEK 2

Psalms 46:10

Still, Still, Still

Still, still, still, One can hear the falling snow.
For all is hushed, The world is sleeping
Holy Star its vigil keeping
Still, still, still, One can hear the falling snow.


Still, still, still… These words do not seem to have a place in the hustle and bustle of a busy life, especially at Christmas time. Parties, presents, and projects usually have us in a frantic frenzy as we rush from one event to the next. Often, before we know it, Christmas day has come and gone. Only then do we realize that, despite our good intentions, we never experienced the peace that comes from truly relishing in God’s amazing love for us.

Isn’t it interesting that God commands us to “Be still”? Do you think it’s because He knows we sometimes have a hard time doing it on our own? 

What happens when we actually take time to be still? The answer lies in Psalm 46:10…”Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth”. When you are still before God, you better understand that whatever you are facing, whatever your day has been like, you can completely rest in the fact that God is God. He’s awesome and amazing and sovereign. He loves us more than we can imagine and He’s got things under control. 

Spend time today purposely pursuing stillness in different moments. Perhaps you could wrap up in a blanket & head outside for a peek at the stars, wondering what that holy star looked like, the one that signaled Christ’s birth many years ago. Maybe take a minute to watch your young child sleep and wonder as you gaze at that sweet face, what Mary and Joseph thought of their newborn son. Open your Bible, read a favorite Scripture…then sit and wait.

Question:

What truths resonate in your soul about Christ as you take time to be still before Him?

Adapted From:  Carols A Christmas Devotion - You Version

Community News 12/19/17

Christmas Eve Services 

Christmas Eve Services will be held Thursday, December 21st at 7 PM and Sunday, December 24th at 9 AM, 11 AM & 1 PM.  Children’s activities for birth-6th grade are available. Christmas Eve invitations are available today.  This is a great opportunity to invite your friends and family to sit with you at one of the Christmas Eve Services.

New 2018 Care Network/Early Weekend Service Schedule 

Care Network will not meet again until Thursday, January 4th.  Please enjoy this time with your friends and family.  We will have a new Thursday evening schedule in 2018. Care Network will move to Thursday evening and the service time for Early Weekend service will change. The times are as follows: 

5:30 - 6:45 PM Dinner by Donation - In the Student Center

6:00 PM Care Network – In the KidzZone 5th/6th grade room – Pre-K childcare and children’s activities available.

7:00 PM Early Weekend Service – Auditorium – Small Small Pond and KidzZone available.

December 31st Online Service 

The holiday season is all about gathering together with friends and family. On Sunday, December 31, we want to give you the opportunity to do just that, and provide our service online through our website. We want to say a huge thanks to our hard-working volunteers, and give them a weekend with their families as well. Round up your friends, family, or small group around your laptop, phone, or favorite device, and enjoy church together in your home, maybe even in your pajamas! Join us on-demand at any time throughout the day at www.brevardcommunity.org for music and a message.  There will be no Early Weekend Service on Thursday, December 28.

New Website Launch 

At BCC, we want to communicate with you effectively, and equip you with resources that will help move you into a more dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. We are excited to let you know about the redesign of our website. The web address is still the same www.brevardcommunity.org, but has been updated to be more user-friendly, and provide you with information you need. Check it out, and share the new site with your friends and family. 

Holiday Hours

The church office will be closed from Monday, December 25th through Monday, January 1st, 2018.  The church office will reopen January 2nd, 2018.  In case of an emergency, please contact one of our pastors. 

Community News 12/19/17

DAY 2 OF WEEK 2

1 Peter 1:3

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Mild He lays His glory by;
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth;
Born to give them second birth.

It’s fun to look at a tiny baby and imagine what he will grow up to become. It could be anything – a pilot, a policeman, a chef, an astronaut, a pastor, or a million other options. The future is wide open and full of possibilities. 

Jesus was born with one purpose. As it says in the carol, he was “born that man no more may die.” His birth was all about our new birth. In 1 Peter 1:3, Peter praises God for the “new birth into a living hope” – and all that is possible because Jesus laid aside his glory and offered Himself in our place, taking the punishment of death we deserved for our sins. His death and resurrection gives us new life. As you go about your business and your busyness of the season, intentionally take a few moments to slow down and remember that Jesus was born to give YOU a second birth. What a reason to praise Him!

Questions:

How do you express your gratitude to Jesus for the new life He gives you?

Who in your life doesn’t yet realize the true reason for Jesus’ birth? What will you do to share it with them?

Adapted From:  Carols A Christmas Devotion - You Version