Good Words from God’s Word
 
The angel appeared to the shepherds tending sheep on the hillsides outside of Bethlehem to give the announcement of Christ’s birth, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).  The angel could be the first evangelist recorded in the New Testament.  The word used to translate, “I Bring” in Greek is “Evaggelizo,” or “I evangelize to you great joy...”  The reason that is significant to us today is because good news and great joy is worth sharing.  It is not appropriate to everyone.  In fact, the more you share “good news,” the better it gets.  The same is true with great joy.  The joy of Christ increases and multiplies the more you share it.
 
The “good news” of Christ and his “great joy” will abound at Grace this morning.  Our Bethlehem Breakfast today will not be a solemn or somber gathering.  It will be grand and overflowing with the JOY OF THE LORD.  Why not?  The good news is still the same, “…today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”   We gather around the table this morning to rejoice in the fact that Christ Jesus has been born.  He is our savior.  He has redeemed us from our sins.  That is why we experience great joy when we get together.
 
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. His mind, wit and work earned him the unofficial title of "the greatest justice since John Marshall." At one point in his life, Justice Holmes explained his choice of a career by saying: "I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers." Today In The Word, June, 1988, p. 13.
 
When the angels of the Lord lit up the night sky that night singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14), it was an occasion for celebration and overwhelming joy.  It was not an “undertakers” kind of happening, but a festival of delight.  That’s what “good news” does.  It lifts your spirit.  It gives you a piece of God’s heart—HIS JOY.
 
It is said of Adoniram Judson, when he went as a missionary to Burma, he so burned with the desire to preach the gospel, before he had even learned the language, he walked up to a Burman and embraced him. The man went home and reported that he had seen an angel. The living Christ was so radiant in Mr. Judson's countenance that men called him "Mr. Glory-Face." When Christian workers really come to know the love God has given unto them, the Christian gospel will become irresistible. Westminster Teacher
 
Like the angels who evangelized the shepherds that night, we can be Mr. and Mrs. Glory-Face today.  Let the light of God’s “good news” and His “great joy” light up your face today and all season long.

Good Word’s from God’s Word

I am saddened today because this Sunday will be our last one in which we will share in worship with Bill and Elizabeth Gabler. Bill and Elizabeth are moving to Darian, Georgia where they will continue to serve the Lord near the coast of Southeast Georgia. I am saddened, but also excited for this new opportunity to be a blessing to a new church there.

Bill and Elizabeth were the first couple to join our Grace Church family after my coming to serve as your pastor. Since they became a part of this fellowship, there is no place in our church that has not been enriched by their energies, talents and commitment to the Lord. It goes without saying, that we will greatly miss them. Their glad service in Christ has encouraged all of us. I will miss Bill’s prayers of, “Lord give us a hug today…” I will miss Elizabeth’s playing keyboard with the Praise Team and her voice singing in harmony along with Jamie. A verse of scripture that comes to mind when I think of Bill and Elizabeth is, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). May God bless you both as you continue to serve the Lord with gladness.

After 46+ years in ministry, God has taught me a few things, one of which is this: In the ministry of the Lord, you never say “GOOD BYE” without anticipating a new opportunity to say “HELLO.” The Bible says, “…the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). We can be confident that as surely as the Lord brought Bill and Elizabeth to our church, He has already appointed and anointed others to lead this church forward. So, let’s recommit ourselves to pray and look forward to what God is planning to do in coming days.

Today is also a celebration day because we are recognizing the amazing contribution Michelle Peppers has made to the Children’s Ministry of our church. Michelle leads our Children’s Worship and promotes every other ministry we plan which impacts our children here at Grace. We have prayed that God would bless our church with an abundance of children. In answer to our prayer, God not only has given us a parade of children, but He has given us Michelle. She is always working in a new craft, or a creative way to convey God’s truth, as well as some new method for the children to participate in the worship of our congregation. Michelle tirelessly gives of herself without payback. She’s a volunteer and a professional. We love you Michelle and today your church family wants to say “THANK YOU” for the ministry God has given you with our children.

Worship is made sweeter when God’s people express their love for one another and their heartfelt thanksgiving for their service rendered for Jesus. The apostle Paul said, “For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:16). We worship God today with hearts filled with thanksgiving for all that He has done among us.

Good Words from God’s Word
 
Robbie and I look forward to greeting all of our church family and guests to our annual Christmas Gathering in our home today from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This is our way each year for Robbie and me to say to each one of you how much we love you and thank God for the opportunity He has given us to serve in ministry at Grace alongside you. 
 
This year will complete our 48th year in ministry. We began serving the Lord together in 1967 during my freshman year in college at the Woodbury Baptist Church in Woodbury, Tennessee. We were called to that church to serve as Minister of Music and Youth. I believe I was 19 years old and Robbie was 18. Since that time, we have served 5 more churches either in a staff role or as pastor and 2 denominational positions. 
 
Now, we are serving with you here at Grace and I must say that God has once again given us the joy of ministry in one of the most loving and caring church fellowships we have known. Each ministry and each church seems to be sweeter and more fulfilling than the one before it. If someone asked me, which church has been the best, I would have to say the one in which we serve. So, Grace Baptist Church fellowship is our best one yet—To God Be the Glory!
 
This year of ministry has been amazing. We have witnessed God’s mighty hand at work in so many ways. Let me just share a few of the wonderful things He has done:
 

• Our church has exceeded 100 in average attendance consistently all year.
• Our church has exceeded a high attendance goal reaching 184 in worship.
• Our church will meet its 2015 Budget Projection of $164,000.
• Our church has baptized 5 new souls into God’s kingdom.
• Our church has approved the Revised Constitution and By Laws.
• Our church has instituted its new Deacon Ministry.
• Our church has organized new Ministry Teams and Committees.

 
As we gather together to fellowship and enjoy each other’s company this afternoon, we also will be praising God for the privilege of serving Him together. Our God is mighty and He is with us. As we walk together with Him from this year into the next one, we should claim His great promise, “…you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16b).