Christmas Video: Joy to the World by Third Day

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The Real Christmas Story

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Luke 2:1-20 NKJV

Prayer Requests - Week of 12/21/2008

Continue to remember the Dunn family - Henry has cancer

Elaine Childs - missionary to gypsy children in Croatia

Dr. Polk's mother (93-years-old) had to have abdominal surgery last week

Chuck Newsom (cancer) and the Newsom family

Brian Wallace had a job interview last week at a company in Lufkin

Christmas Eve services

Prayer Requests - Week of 12/14/2008

Henry Dunn will be having colon surgery on Tuesday, the 16th. He was diagnosed very recently with cancer. He is married and has 2 elementary-school-age children. Please keep this whole family in your prayers!

Chuck Newsome was recently diagnosed with cancer and was given a short time to live. Please pray for him and his family as they go through this tough time.

Christmas Party at Fern Lake... re-cap with out pictures...

We had a great showing at the Wyatt's cabin at Fern Lake.  The food was good, and there was plenty of it.  I admit I failed in my role as interim photographer for David Madrid, since the kids were sick and I was late for the party... I totally forgot to bring my camera and take pictures for the blog.  Looks like I'm fired, right?  Well maybe I just need to ask for some help next time.

It was very cold so the fire place was a very nice touch to the evening.  The Scene-It game was a bad deal that started innocently, but led to some off-color clips that made us a little red-faced.  I apologize for that inadvertently mis-representing our class morals.  The devil takes any angle to take us away from Christ!

I am very excited about the new friends that came to the social and have been coming to class.  God is good, and he is blessing our class with wonderful relationships.  If everyone continues participating, then we all will benefit from these Christ-centered friendships.  

I pray you have a wonderful Christmas season, and may God bless your family!

Gregg Nichols

Update from the Yerkes

I asked a few of the couples/families who moved on to other opportunities last summer to give me an update on how they are doing. Below is a message from Heather Yerkes:

We are doing very well. Jordan is working for Garland Pipe Organs and really loves it. He is building, tuning, and repairing organs. He has to travel every now and then, but thankfully doesn't have to stay gone for very long. I am teaching piano and have become a volunteer counselor at a Pregnancy Help Center. God has really blessed us and helped us to (very quickly!) find a new church: Southcliff Baptist (their website is http://www.southcliff.com/ if you want to see where we are attending! :) We have a great sunday school class with other young married couples and have been leading middle school discipleship groups on sunday evenings. I am including pictures of us that were just taken this at the zoo.

In Christ, Heather Yerkes

Christmas Party!!!

Christmas Party

at Fern Lake

Friday, December 5th

Details Below....

Childcare will be at the church from 6-9. The party will also be 6-9 (if you don't need childcare.) For those of us utilizing childcare, kids can be dropped off at 6, then we can head straight to the party. Kids will need to be picked up by 9.

Due to limited parking, it would be a good idea to carpool.

The party is at Fern Lake: Take 59 S toward Lufkin. Go 1/2 mile past Nacogdoches Iron Works on the right.

We'll be having lasagna (provided). If your last name begins with A-M, bring an appetizer or a salad. If your last name begins with N-Z, bring dessert. If you have already talked to Marcy about what you're bringing, please disregard.