Good Shepherd Weekly 12/13
Families cherish their Christmas traditions. Year after year, they decorate the tree with the same ornaments, play the same music, bake the same Christmas cookies. Without asking, family members know when they will open presents. If you try to change your family’s Christmas traditions, you just might pick a fight! When it comes to family Christmases, people generally don’t like things to change.
Because our celebration of Christmas is so steeped in unchanging traditions, it might be easy for us to miss that the Nativity of the Son of God meant radical change for the world. The Lord God came to change the world by becoming part of the world. Because we are part of the world, that means Christmas changes us too. This Christmas Eve, we see how.
Holiday Worship Schedule
Saturday, Dec 24: 6:00pm
Sunday, Dec 25: 10:00am
Sunday, Jan 1: 10:00am
Giving Envelopes
Boxes of envelopes for 2023 were put in most members mailboxes last week that help us to record and track contributions for those members who prefer to use cash or a check. However, if you donate by check without an envelope, or use online giving, we are also careful to record your contributions so that you can get a receipt in January for tax purposes. If you did not receive any envelopes and would like to use that method, please tell Sam Steed that you would like some. Likewise, if you plan to never use envelopes anymore and have switched to only using Simply Giving, please let Sam know and she will free up that number for someone else in the future.
Of course, our church is happy and grateful to accept contributions by any method you prefer, but in this digital age many people find it easier to give online. If you would like to switch to online giving as a method of donating, visit GoodShepherdAttleboro.com/give Once a profile is set up, you can opt for automatic ongoing contributions, or simply use it to make an occasional contribution.
Thai Village Donations
The last date for Thai Village donations is this coming Sunday, December 18.
This Week at Good Shepherd
Wednesday, Dec 14: Bible Study, 7:00pm (Zoom)
Sunday, Dec 18: Bible Study, 9:00am
Sunday, Dec 18: Sunday Service, 10:00am (non-communion)
Upcoming Sunday
The Latin word adventus means “coming.” The last words in Scripture are “Come, Lord Jesus!” Thus, the season of Advent begins with the end in mind. We enter a new Church Year with our eyes fixed on the End when Jesus Christ will come and destroy this sin-broken world.
This Advent we will walk us through the entire life of Christ, we see God’s promises of deliverance fulfilled... God’s plan of salvation completed. And so, when Christ comes again, while the universe will be destroyed, we know God’s people will be ushered into a new, glorious, everlasting Kingdom.
Advent is necessary to prepare us for Christmas. It enables us to understand the true significance of Christmas. Advent allows us to see that because of what Christ did when he came the first time, believers need not fear when he comes again. Instead, we yearn for it. Come, Lord Jesus!
Zoom Bible Study
Ruth shows how God’s people can experience his sovereignty, wisdom, and covenant kindness. These often come in hard circumstances and are expressed through the kindness of others. Ruth shows kindness to her mother-in-law, Naomi, by leaving her homeland to care for her. Redemption is linked to kindness and is at the heart of the story.