This has been a long and very rewarding week of work. God richly blessed our worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. All who came were encouraged by God's love in the sending of His Son, Christ our Lord. The Father received our praises and prayers and gifts. The candles that lit up our sanctuary might have been like the stars that shown on that first Christmas Eve. It's an awesome thought that we really did celebrate the birth of the One who does bring peace on earth through the forgiveness of sins that Christ earned through His perfect life, sacrificial death and victorious resurrection.
I'm going to take a little break from the blog. I'll check in again on Monday, December 6. In the meantime, you can check out the video of the sermon from December 22. Our webmaster, Dan Seabreeze, records the sermons from time to time and it especially gives folks who are thinking about visiting our church a bit of a flavor of our worship. Also, if you are looking for a daily devotional and prayer guide, check out Treasuring God's Word. Hit the tab in the right column and you'll find a daily reading and a prayer starter. Busy people find Treasuring God's Word to be a helpful tool.
Worship this weekend takes place on Saturday at 5 pm with a Communion Service. On Sunday, we meet at 8 and 10:45 am and Bible classes for all ages begins at 9:20 am. Also, worship on New Year's Eve will be held on Dec. 31 at 7 pm and Communion will be included.
Thanks for taking the time to read the blog this year. Continue to enjoy the Christmas season and have a blessed New Year!
Friday, December 27, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
You have Christ in your neighbor
From a sermon by Martin Luther on the Nativity of the Christ:
Many in this congregation think to themselves, "If only I had been there! How quick I would have been to help the Baby! I would have washed His linen. How happy I would have been to go with the shepherds to see the Lord lying in the manger!
Yes, you would! You say that because you know how great Christ is, but if you had been there at that time you would have done no better than the people of Bethlehem. Childish and silly thoughts are these!
Why don't you do it now? You have Christ in your neighbor. You ought to serve him, for what you do to your neighbor in need you do to the Lord Christ Himself.
Taken from "Hear I Stand," page 354
Many in this congregation think to themselves, "If only I had been there! How quick I would have been to help the Baby! I would have washed His linen. How happy I would have been to go with the shepherds to see the Lord lying in the manger!
Yes, you would! You say that because you know how great Christ is, but if you had been there at that time you would have done no better than the people of Bethlehem. Childish and silly thoughts are these!
Why don't you do it now? You have Christ in your neighbor. You ought to serve him, for what you do to your neighbor in need you do to the Lord Christ Himself.
Taken from "Hear I Stand," page 354
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas!
The Lord blessed us with a wonderful night of worship at LICL.
Our Sunday school children told the story of the birth of Jesus so well. Kudos to our teachers and leaders for their hard work in getting the children ready to go.
So many volunteers helped to make the three services go off without a hitch. Life in Christ is really blessed with so many people who want to serve the Lord.
The music from our Choir, Bells and soloists was beautiful and it was a joy to have Nicole Lingenfelter sing for us. She's not in the Valley very often so to have her bless us with her musical talent was really special.
It was great to have Pat Herman play organ for us. Last year at this time she was struggling with her health. It meant everything to her to be able to play.
It's awesome when the lights go down, the candles are lit and the entire congregation join their voices together to sing "Silent Night." As Chuck Haynes would say, "It gave me goose bumps."
Holding the 3 services at 5, 7 and 9 pm helped to alleviate some of our parking problems and helped us achieve our largest attendance ever for Christmas Eve - 677.
My son, Eric, praying with me before worship. The best Christmas gift I could ever receive.
Having all my kids and grand kids there for worship. Sherri and I are so blessed to have our family nearby. We know that's not always possible for everyone.
Being reminded to "treasure" the things that Mary treasured on that first Christmas Eve - the blessed news that God sent His Son to you to be your Savior from sin, death and evil.
Have a blessed Christmas Day!!
Our Sunday school children told the story of the birth of Jesus so well. Kudos to our teachers and leaders for their hard work in getting the children ready to go.
So many volunteers helped to make the three services go off without a hitch. Life in Christ is really blessed with so many people who want to serve the Lord.
The music from our Choir, Bells and soloists was beautiful and it was a joy to have Nicole Lingenfelter sing for us. She's not in the Valley very often so to have her bless us with her musical talent was really special.
It was great to have Pat Herman play organ for us. Last year at this time she was struggling with her health. It meant everything to her to be able to play.
It's awesome when the lights go down, the candles are lit and the entire congregation join their voices together to sing "Silent Night." As Chuck Haynes would say, "It gave me goose bumps."
Holding the 3 services at 5, 7 and 9 pm helped to alleviate some of our parking problems and helped us achieve our largest attendance ever for Christmas Eve - 677.
My son, Eric, praying with me before worship. The best Christmas gift I could ever receive.
Having all my kids and grand kids there for worship. Sherri and I are so blessed to have our family nearby. We know that's not always possible for everyone.
Being reminded to "treasure" the things that Mary treasured on that first Christmas Eve - the blessed news that God sent His Son to you to be your Savior from sin, death and evil.
Have a blessed Christmas Day!!
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Worship on Christmas Eve
I'm not sure why but Christmas snuck up on me. Even when I thought I was ahead of the calendar, I was way behind. But we're ready to worship and we invite you to join us.
Our Family service featuring the children of our Sunday school takes place at 5 pm. The kids will present the Christmas story in word and song and my message is entitled, "The Baby That Takes Care of You." We have a great staff of teachers and leaders and they have worked hard to get our kids ready for tonight's service.
Then at 7 and 9 pm our traditional Candlelight Service takes place. Special music will be offered by Nicole Lingenfelter, Connie Baker, Pat Herman, Susan Keedy, the LICL Adult Choir and the LICL Bell Choir. My sermon is entitled, "Treasure the Story!"
Last year it seemed that half of Peoria turned out for our 7 pm service so you best get there early. Or, if you can, you might just wait until 9 pm where seating and parking might be just a little bit easier. In any event I pray that you will join us tonight (and tomorrow morning at 10 am) as we celebrate God's gift to us - Christ the Lord!
Our Family service featuring the children of our Sunday school takes place at 5 pm. The kids will present the Christmas story in word and song and my message is entitled, "The Baby That Takes Care of You." We have a great staff of teachers and leaders and they have worked hard to get our kids ready for tonight's service.
Then at 7 and 9 pm our traditional Candlelight Service takes place. Special music will be offered by Nicole Lingenfelter, Connie Baker, Pat Herman, Susan Keedy, the LICL Adult Choir and the LICL Bell Choir. My sermon is entitled, "Treasure the Story!"
Last year it seemed that half of Peoria turned out for our 7 pm service so you best get there early. Or, if you can, you might just wait until 9 pm where seating and parking might be just a little bit easier. In any event I pray that you will join us tonight (and tomorrow morning at 10 am) as we celebrate God's gift to us - Christ the Lord!
Monday, December 23, 2013
It happened!
From a Christmas sermon from Norman Nagel (1975)
The angel's message is simply what happened - a birth - and the identification of the one born - "a Savior who is Christ the Lord." Impossible? No, it has happened. God did not have to wait for clearance from us whether it is possible or not. It happened. A Savior born, Christ the Lord.
The angel's message is simply what happened - a birth - and the identification of the one born - "a Savior who is Christ the Lord." Impossible? No, it has happened. God did not have to wait for clearance from us whether it is possible or not. It happened. A Savior born, Christ the Lord.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Twas the weekend before Christmas
and all through our community many folks were preparing to worship at Life in Christ Lutheran Church. Today we'll offer a Vespers Service at 5 pm and tomorrow you're invited to attend worship at either 8 or 10:45 am. Classes for all ages - toddler to adult - are held at 9:20 am. Our Sunday school children will rehearse following the second service as they prepare to tell the Christmas story at our 5 pm Christmas Eve Family service. Tired of the shopping, the traffic and the crowds? Come and see us this weekend and ready your heart to receive God's gift to you - the Christ child!
Friday, December 20, 2013
2 Great Women!
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