What an amazing experience to have our hearts melted by the music, stirred by the speaking and inspired by the miracles. We couldn't have asked for anything more to help us get into the true spirit of Christmas.
We tend to highlight the baby Jesus during the holidays....and rightly so. However, I wonder if we're missing out on an even more grand perspective of the miracle of Jesus' birth? That baby did grow up. He died for our sins and He raised on the 3rd day!
Sunday we celebrated 3 parts to the Christmas miracle: BORN. BURIED. BORN AGAIN.
We opened up with a rock-n-roll medley of Angels We Have Heard into Hark the Herald Angels. Then we dug into our African roots with a remixed Hail Hail Lion of Judah with a Congolese breakdown and a transition into Little Drummer Boy.
BORN. Arlene shared vulnerably about her own near-death experience as a newborn. Painting the picture of fear in a mother's heart for her baby boy, Arlene helped us understand what Mary might've gone through to attempt to understand God's perfect plan to deliver the enslaved souls of our world.
We heard a beautiful rendition of Open Thou Mine Eyes from our choral sextet and then a full-band version of O Holy Night.
BURIED. Kevin might've shared the most authentic communion testimony I've ever heard. He shared about the rebellion he staged against his privileged childhood and family, his experience as a Navy Seal, and as a violent thug and drug dealer. After 9 years in prison he was reached out to, by another inmate, was released then studied the bible and was baptized! He came into contact with forgiveness: as Jesus was buried, Kevin could be liberated from the burden of sins he had carried with him all those years. The past was buried. A hopeful future awaited: beautiful wife, adorable children who love the Lord and their family, a good job and a purpose to help others.
As we took the communion, our male, a cappella quartet sang the haunting "Mary Did You Know?"
We sang Joy to the World as we gathered our collection for the week and remembered our vision and obligations to the poor as we prepare for our HOPE DAY ON in January.
BORN AGAIN. Marty preached the gospel news of rebirth, the hope captured in the story Cy came up and told about his friend Robert becoming a Christian at USC. Marty zeroed in on "hesitation." Why wait? "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." Acts 22:16. The seeded soil was listening with baited breath and there have been 3 baptisms in the 3 days after the message.
O Come All Ye Faithful rang through the congregation as the love of Christ, the power of His Word and the Hope of this Holiday resonated deeply within our hearts. Merry Christmas!
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