“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 “Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. "But He was pierced for our transgressions." He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him and by His wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:4-5

Lifeline Online- weekly e-news of Lebanon Christian Church for December 12, 2018

Reflections- "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship." - Galatians 4:4-5

THE PASTOR'S PERSPECTIVE

There are a number of wonderful events and services that will add to our celebration of the birth of Jesus this Christmas. There is Christmas Caroling....Handbell Choir playing....The Worship Choir's Christmas Cantata and our Candlelight Christmas Eve service. More information on each event is listed below.

Each of us was born with a sinful nature. We each have a propensity to sin. As Max Lucado wrote- "The sinful nature is all about self: pleasing self, promoting self, preserving self. The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart."

Christmas celebrates the birth of our Savior who would save us from ourselves, our sinful nature and our sins. In speaking to Joseph, an angel said this in Matthew 1:21- "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Celebrating Christ at Christmas,

Dennis

Children's Ministry on Sundays:

9:30 a.m.- Promised Land 10:30 a.m.- Jr. Church Awana Bible Clubs- 4:00 p.m.

NT 260-Bible reading for this week is John chapters 8-12 & the Bible Reading for next week is John chapters 13-17.

Tuesdays- Handbell Choir Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday-Adult Bible Study, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday- Worship Choir Rehearsal, 6:45 p.m.

Tomorrow- Ladies Missionary Circle Christmas Outing, 11:30 a.m., Nick's Seafood/Spaghetti House, Gloucester Point. Lunch is Dutch Treat. All ladies, men of the church and friends are invited.

Saturday- All-Church Christmas Caroling-leaving the church parking lot at 10:30 a.m. Please bring money for lunch. Everyone is welcome to join us as we go Christmas Caroling at two local nursing homes.

Sunday- Handbell Choir Christmas Program, 10:45 A.M.

Sunday- Carry-in Dinner in celebration of Charlie Shelton's 100th birthday!Immediately following the morning worship service. Fried chicken will be provided. Please bring a couple of side dishes to share and bring a cherry pie (Charlie's favorite) for dessert.

December 23rd- Worship Choir Christmas Cantata, "Christmas Presence-A Gathering of Hope, Peace and love", 10:45 a.m.

December 24th- Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 6:00 p.m. A family friendly service designed to help us all focus on and celebrate the birth of our Savior. The service will last less than one hour and will conclude with our candle lighting ceremony and singing of Silent Night.

THRIVE Peninsula Food Pantry Drive-please bring cookies and crackers this Sunday. Thank you for continuing to bring food each week.

THANKSGIVING OFFERINGS for the Building Fund can still be given at any time. Please designate "Thanksgiving Offering" on your check or use one of the special offering envelopes in the pew racks.

CHRISTMAS CARD MAILBOX will be available this Sunday to give & receive Christmas cards. Please consider donating what postage money you save to the Senior Adult Class mission project.

VA PRE-TEEN CONVENTION- March 1 & 2, 2019 at Fairmount Christian Church in Mechanicsville. 4th & 5th grade students, registration forms are available in the foyer. Return completed form with payment to Barbara West by January 6, 2019.

PRAYER LIST

Boldness to share our faith

God's leading for our church

Heart for One-invite one individual, one couple, one family

Lacey Allen, spots on front of brain, met with neurologist, re-check in a year

Art Booth, cancer, Mary Immaculate Hospital

Sandra Bray, Karen Barnett's sister, mobility following accident

Raelynn Crucian, 9-month cousin of Amelia Trask, recovering from open heart surgery, NICU

Jake Lambert, Linda Lambert's husband, post-op complications, Duke University Medical Center

Paul Moore, Naomi Terrell's brother, hospital, on ventilator

Linda Slaughter, congestive heart failure, home

*A list of ongoing prayer needs is available in the foyer and is published in the church bulletin on the first Sunday of the month