Readiness The New Year is a time to reflect upon the past, and make preparations for the future In reflection we must recognize that we have not always been as ready as we ought to have been For which we deserve punishment Our Lord is merciful and forgiving, so we begin the new year afresh, and ready ourselves for Christ’s return When…

A New Birth The birth of Jesus foreshadows our new birth through Holy Baptism The birth of Jesus foreshadows our new birth in the day of resurrection Merry Christmas! “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” That Word which was…

Christians Sing We sing because of God’s actions We sing as a collective whole “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” From young to old, with voices and instruments, we have made a joyful noise to the Lord, we have broken forth into joyous song! It’s that time of year when…

Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted, who sit in deepest gloom Intro: Explain 10 stanzas originally written Through sin we sit in gloom and are covered in shame Christ descended into our deepest gloom through His love for us Through His incarnation He frees us from sin and brings us into His kingdom Last week pastor Matheny gave you a great rundown on some…

Hope or Foreboding Jesus is going to return with certainty The world faces Jesus’ return with dread The Christian faces it with hope because our redemption is drawing near Therefore, watch yourselves, for that day will suddenly come, and either it will fill you with hope or foreboding. When most Americans talk about hope, we don’t usually think anything is going to…