As we gather we celebrate Christmas in September.  It feels a little strange, yet as believers in Jesus why not celebrate his birth often?  Without His birth there is no cross.  Without the cross there is no empty tomb.  Without the open tomb there is no eternal life!  Without the birth of Christ, God’s plan of salvation would never have been completed.  So today we celebrate the fact that our God humbled himself to become flesh and dwell among us in order to save us!

As we gather in worship we continue our initiative called, “The Story.”  In chapter 21, the Lord has called His people out of captivity and back to the Promised Land where they are to rebuild the Temple and the city walls.  Having been given this mission, the people face strong opposition from their surrounding neighbors.  By faith the people finish the rebuilding, but are then called to rebuild their faith as they hear again the Word of the Lord.

As we gather in worship we continue our initiative called, “The Story.”  In chapter 20, we find that a young Jewish girl named Esther becomes the wife of King Xerxes.  She becomes influential in saving the Jewish people from destruction as the LORD uses her as an instrument of His hand.

As we gather in worship we continue our initiative called, “The Story.”  In chapter 19, God calls His people back to the Promised Land to rebuild the nation and the Temple.  God keeps His promise of protecting His people and ultimately, through them, bringing the Messiah into the world.

As we gather in worship we continue our initiative called, “The Story.”  In chapter 18, the people of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) have been taken into captivity by the powerful Babylonian empire.  While in captivity the Hebrews lived under the hand of oppressors who did not want them to worship the LORD.  However, men like Daniel, as well as Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego, would not cower to the demands of the Babylonians and provided a witness to both Hebrews and Babylonians.

As we gather in worship we continue our initiative called, “The Story.”  In chapter 17, the people of the Southern Kingdom (Judah), are drifting from their worship of the Lord.  Like the people of the Northern Kingdom (Israel), which followed false gods and ended up defeated by the Assyrians, so the people of Judah do not heed the voices of the prophets.  The Babylonians enter the land, defeat Jerusalem and take God’s people captive.   But, there is hope!

As we gather in worship we continue our initiative called, “The Story.”  In chapter 16, the effects of being distant from the Lord befall the people of the Northern Kingdom (Israel).  The Assyrians conquer them and take them off into captivity.  The Southern Kingdom (Judah) stands faithful to the Lord under King Hezekiah and resists the threats of the Assyrians.  However, some years later, Judah, too, fails to follow the Lord and suffers the consequences.

As we gather in worship we continue our initiative called, “The Story.”  This week we follow David as he establishes his rule over the Children of Israel.  The Lord noticed that David was a man after His heart, but that didn’t mean David was perfect.  When confronted by sin David repented and found in his Lord the gift of forgiveness that brings new life.

As we gather in worship we continue our initiative called, “The Story.”  This week we follow David as he establishes his rule over the Children of Israel.  The Lord noticed that David was a man after His heart, but that didn’t mean David was perfect.  When confronted by sin David repented and found in his Lord the gift of forgiveness that brings new life.

As we gather in worship we continue our initiative called, “The Story.”  Today we hear how David is called by God to become King of Israel.  However, the time between David’s anointing and his actual coronation is a number of years, which are filled with danger.  It is through David’s relationships with God and Jonathan that he is given strength and courage.