First Mennonite Church December 20, 2015 What Child Is This? Text: John 1:1-18; Isaiah 9:6, 7 Today, I want us to reflect on John 1, verses 1-18 and two verses in Isaiah, chapter 9, verses 6 and 7. Today is our Christmas worship service. Christmas means the Christ Festival or the celebration of the Christ, … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church December 13, 2015 Where is the King? Text: Matthew 2:1-12 Christmas plays have made of this passage a familiar one, at least the most obvious part of the story. Every Christmas we have, with much delight, enjoyed watching our children bringing to life an integrated version of the birth story of Jesus. … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church December 6, 2015 Christmas: A Difficult Calling for Mary Luke 2:26-38 Mary, a girl living in shadows anonymity suddenly came under the spotlight of world history. For you see, since the people of Israel settled in the Land of Canaan, young men and young women had engaged, gotten married and have had … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church November 29, 2015 Do Not Be Afraid Text: Luke 2:1-20 Advent begins today, according to the church year or liturgical calendar. Advent is the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent recalls the time of waiting and expectation before the birth of Jesus Christ. Although we all know that Jesus has been born so … [Read more…]
First Mennonite Church November 22, 2015 Gratitude: Fruit of Inner Contentment Text: Philippians 2:12-18 Today, the church where I grew up in in Belize is having their “Thanksgiving” worship service this afternoon. It is a version Thanksgiving Day celebration that missionaries took down there, I suspect. This type of worship service is only held in … [Read more…]