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According to history.com, Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, mostly in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end…

The Gift of Hope Do you ever feel like Charlie Brown? In the midst of the Christmas decorations that have been up since Halloween, the Christmas songs stuck in your head, the lights and shopping and cookies and parties—do you ever want to just stand up and shout in exasperation like Charlie Brown, “Isn’t…

A PARAMEDIC was asked on a local Dallas TV talk-show program: “What was your most unusual and challenging 911 call?” “Well Recently,” the paramedic began, we got a call from that big white CHURCH on 11th and Walnut. A frantic usher was very concerned that during their WORSHIP service an elderly man PASSED…

The Gifts of Christmas Advent Series Sermon 1: The Gift of Hope Do you ever feel like Charlie Brown? In the midst of the Christmas decorations that have been up since Halloween, the Christmas songs stuck in your head, the lights and shopping and cookies and parties—do you ever want to just stand up and…

Intro This is the Linus passage. If you’ve seen A Charlie Brown Christmas then you likely can picture the scene in your head. But if you haven’t seen it - which I would incredibly surprised by - since it has been on television nearly every year since 1965. However, if you for someone reason have not…

We begin this morning with our Scripture readings: Our Old Testament reading is from Isaiah 61:1-4 : The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening…

I’ve told this story before. I like it so much that I wanted to tell it again. On Christmas Eve night 1914 something amazing happened. Something that still has the world scratching its head. It was at the beginning of WWI and there was a fierce battle going on in Belgium between the French and the English…

(Nun story — “Now that’s what I call faith!”) So far, James has taught us that “A Faith That Works” is a Faith that — — allows itself to be built through enduring trials — seeks God’s provision and grace in prayer… daily! — understands that our “riches” are not in this world — turns to God for everything…

The Holidays can be hard. Lets stop for a moment and just recognize this truth with empathy and grace. Families are not always safe places for people. Sometimes gatherings become a reminder of what or who is not sitting at the table. Joy and thanksgiving are not natural. Yes every person can experience…

When one thinks of Christmas, how can one not think of Linus quoting in Merry Christmas Charlie Brown from the book of Luke: Charlie Brown had just lamented that he doesnt’ know what Christmas is all about and cries out, isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about? He then quotes from Luke…

What is the biggest issue that has plagued the Church since its beginning? — — Disagreement — — In Acts 15:36-41 — Paul disagreed with Barnabas … In Gal 2:11-13 — Paul talks about his disagreement with Peter… In Luke 22:24-30 — the disciples argued … In Mark 10:35-41 — the disciples were mad at John…

For us to understand what Christmas is all about, we need to go back to the beginning and see where it all went wrong. (FYI: We missed the first few minutes of the message, so it picks up in the introduction.)

There is an amazing Christmas tradition in Finland… It has been held almost every year since the 1300’s… At noon every year on Christmas Eve, the city of Turku declares “Christmas Peace”! During the ceremony the people gather in the town square and a city official is chosen to read the “Declaration of…

The angels who announced the birth of Jesus give us two keys as to what Christmas is all about: Glorifying God and finding true peace.

How do we receive the “Cup of Life”? Jesus answered this question when asked by Nicodemus… 1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you…

Secular - (CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS) Historical/Cultural Context - Approximately 2000 years ago there was an event that went pretty much unnoticed by the world. This event was the coming of a child, born of a virgin. This child was no ordinary child. He was and is 100% God and 100% man. His coming changed…

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever been gripped by terror? You know the feeling—a shiver down your spine … the hair standing up on the back of your neck … your stomach sinking … your mouth dry. Maybe you were a crime victim—or afraid you might be. Did you know that in today’s crazy society the…

We have journeyed through a few of the carols that make up the sounds of this season. As we come closer and closer to Christmas Day, we want to remind ourselves of what this season is all about! Today I want to look at, in my opinion, the most vibrant and uplifting of all the carols. Joy to the World.…

WORSHIPPING CHRISTMAS OR CHRIST Isaiah 1:2-18 Yea, if we are not careful, we can worship the holiday more than we worship Christ. I’m afraid that is true in most folk’s lives in America and is probably what the majority of professing Christians do, we say how much we love Christmas, we say how important…

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live presentation…

A Psalm for giving thanks. 1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord , all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord , he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,…

Introduction Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving, we sure did. How was your dangerous trek out on Black Friday? I got what I wanted and then spent the rest of the day at home. This is the first Sunday of Advent and we’ll begin a new series entitled “The Birth of Jesus” We will look at the birth narratives…

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.…

I read of a Peanuts cartoon that shows Lucy standing with her arms folded and a stern expression on her face. Charlie Brown pleads, “Lucy, you must be more loving. This world really needs love. You have to let yourself love to make this world a better place.” Lucy angrily whirls around and knocks Charlie…

Wed we began this short series of God’s not Dead with the message God’s Transforming Lives. We discussed how we have to through off the past, allow God to change the way we think and then put on our new selves. A pastor got a letter “Dear Pastor. I’m very discouraged and I’m really hurting at this time.…