Monday, December 19, 2022

Dear Trinity Baptist Church Family, Ever think everything is wrong and nothing is happening at the right time? Is your Christmas all messed up? I’ll bet Joseph had those thoughts. Here he was preparing a home for his soon-to-be-bride in Nazareth. First, he learns that his Mary is pregnant. Then, God tells him the Holy Spirit is the child’s father and that he (Joseph) is to take Mary and raise a boy he will name Jesus. Next, Caesar Augustus decides to send everyone to their clan’s hometown. So now Joseph travels with a very pregnant Mary on foot for 90 miles only to find no place to let her rest. I would have been one frustrated man. But God saw it differently. Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” From God’s perspective, the timing of everything was just right. And Joseph obeyed. Praise God he did.

We’ve had a beautiful and musical week. Our TBS students did a great job on Thursday night and then yesterday our church choir under the direction of Devin Scherck presented wonderful music. (I listened to my favorite one on our church facebook last evening.) Praise God for our opportunity as a Congregation to praise Him.

Last evening I was challenged again to wonder at our Savior as Pastor Shaeffer preached from Luke 19 and the story of Zacchaeus. 

Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 20th, is our monthly Senior Lunch and Bible study at Rolling Meadows Restaurant. If you are 50ish or more you are a member of this group. If you want to join us, we won’t ban younger folks from joining us. We individually order off the menu at noon and then after lunch have a Bible study. Tomorrow we will be looking at Colossians 1:24-2:3. Paul is talking about his ministry of the good news to the church. Come for a great time of fellowship and good instruction.

Saturday, December 24th is our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. We begin at 6:00 p.m. I have several committed to bringing us good music. Come for the tradition and be a blessing to other who come.

On Sunday, Christmas Day, we will have just one service at 10:00 a.m. I am going to attempt again to imagine the thoughts and feelings of one of the shepherds the night Jesus was born. You know the story, but come on Christmas Day to hear it again.

From the Pastors and TBS teaching staff, “thank you” for your generous gifting to us.

Lin, Sarah, and I are looking forward to a less hectic schedule the next two weeks. Without School or Awana, the demands upon us are less. We are working and each have our own agenda, but we also are anticipating some needed “retooling.” May you be refreshed during these holidays. May you make time for God and for family and for your own healing. 

We rejoiced yesterday to have Jean W in the building. Continue to pray for her as she fights through pain. Continue too to pray for my Uncle Dave. He has had some difficulties as a result of his surgery and has been in the hospital for the past two weeks. He hopes to be moved to a rehab situation soon.

Be kind. Some are hurting.

Embracing Truth. Equipping Saints. Pastor