Sunday is Coming, and The Future is Bright!
Our Youth Group may have changed the future or altered the course of history for some people last night!
After receiving some very generous gifts from many of you in our congregation, these humble yet bold students went out into the streets of Shippensburg to distribute some unexpected blessings as the Spirit of the Lord led them. This Sunday, they will report some exciting stories from their evening! I believe the students themselves were also greatly impacted by the opportunity to step out in faith in this way, and it will have a lasting impact on their own future as well.
There is certainly a lot of Good News to be found here in Shippensburg! This weekend as we hear some of this Good News, we will also reflect on our place in History.
Luke is the author of the Biblical record that tells of the First Christmas in the little town of Bethlehem, where angels proclaimed “Good News in the Town of David.” Like all biblical writers, he was led by the Holy Spirit, but in the opening in chapter 1, Luke himself states that he has conducted extensive investigative research with eyewitnesses, saying
“…I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning” (Luke 1:3)
Luke was a Historian who wanted to connect the past to the present. He says he is motived by a desire to show:
“the things that have been fulfilled among us” (Luke 1:1)
“…so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:4)
To establish these events in history, in the first 2 chapters, Luke mentions things like a census, official decrees, a King, an emperor, and a governor. All of these details provide historical context. Like a good researcher, Luke also includes a “Primary Source” document – A bit of poetry attributed to Mary herself. Notice some of the most historically noteworthy bits of this remarkable song in Luke 1—
52 He (God) has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
With these lofty words, Mary acknowledges that God is faithful and HE is the one who is in control of History, disestablishing thrones, bringing down the rich and powerful oppressors, and providing for the humble and the hungry servants, being true to His promises.
It was in the spirit of providing for the humble and hungry that so many of you generously gave to our youth, so they could go out and be the Hands and Feet of Christ, providing good things for some people in need. Anytime we do things like this, it connects us to God’s Big Story which has been unfolding throughout History and connects the past, present, & future!
This is another reminder that God delights to use the weak and small things of the world to shame the strong and mighty, as we’ve been seeing throughout this series (I Corinthians 1:18-31).
It’s so fitting that Luke includes this song from Mary that reflects on the events of history, and how God cares for the future of even of the humble and hungry before sharing the details of Jesus’ Birth. This reminds us that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is like the Turning Point of all of history.
We can continue to change the future when we live humble but generous lives each day, in big and small ways. Let’s declare the Good News and change history together, in Jesus Name!
December Council Meeting Highlights
The SFCOG Council gathered this week for our monthly meeting. A few business matters were discussed related to the upcoming new calendar year. Updates were giving about Cross Roads Stations, including the near completion of the renovation project, the financial status, and considerations for how to effectively utilize and minister through the facility when it is ready for occupancy. We also designated a recipient for our Christmas Eve offerings—the Circle of Love community outreach located here in Shippensburg, which provides a variety of different services to people in our community such as food and clothing distribution.
Invite someone to Christmas Eve!
Upcoming Events
- Next Saturday, December 23rd at 7:00 We will be hosting a concert of Gospel Music and Christmas Carols, featuring the Baldoni Family Quartet and their friends, including accompaniment by our own Contemporary Worship Leader, Jonanthan Scott. All are welcome.
- Beginning on January 19th, we will be offering a Financial Peace University class. This could be a great way to work towards your financial goals in 2024. The class will meet on Friday evenings at 6:30 until the end of March. You can learn more and register online at this link: https://www.fpu.com/3442B7
A Scripture Reading for the Third Sunday of Advent
“You will say in that day: ‘I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.’ With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
-Isaiah 12:1-3
Let us live lives of love and joy as we proclaim the Lord’s Salvation in word and deed!
Pastor Rodney Bistline
Shippensburg First Church of God
seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org
Helpful Links:
Online Messages (shipfcog.org)
Care Groups & Sunday School Classes
Weekly Order of Worship and FYI Newsletter (updated over the weekend)
shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html
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