CHRISTMAS GREETINGS!
This year Tabernacle is changing the format for members and friends to share Christmas and New Year greetings. Instead of the greetings being incorporated in a booklet, they will now be displayed via a Powerpoint presentation on the screens in the sanctuary and the schoolroom in the services and meetings running up to Christmas.
JESUS IS COMING!
John answered, saying to them all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Luke 3:16)
Christmas and the New Year period in Wales has changed over the years. Unfortunately, the reason for the season – the coming to earth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ – is lost in the mad rush of commercialism and secular activities.
Yet, when John the Baptist announced the coming of our Lord his message was simple and to the point. There must be a change in your hearts — God is about to act — judgment is coming — and you must have a new life!
Luke 3:3 says: “And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins…
- There must be forgiveness first – all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God
- There must be baptism next, as a public sign of a choice to run away from sin.
- Then there must be a whole new lifestyle–a new life that is lived in harmony with God and with holiness, a new life that breaks completely with sin.
John had another key message. The Saviour-Messiah was coming. The One who would make all this possible was approaching. He would be here soon. Those who had prepared the way would have their hope restored and fulfilled.
Jesus did come – first as a baby born in a manger at Bethlehem. Then, as an adult, He stood in the waters of the River Jordan and, by baptism, identified Himself with the people and with the stand for righteousness that this act symbolized (Luke 3: 21-22).
What are the special temptations in your sphere of life and influence upon which you must continually guard? God is calling you to repent and turn to Him so that in 2017 the times of refreshing will come and you will experience a wonderful rebirth of hope.
Begin to prepare the way now for the coming of the Lord.
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Speakers for Sunday Services
December:
4th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Rev Dr Peter Stevenson
11th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m Mr Geoff Champion
18th: a.m. Nativity Play
p.m. Carol Service
25th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
No evening service
January:
1st: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. “ “ “
8th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Rev Suzanne Roberts
15th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Mr Geoff Champion
22nd: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Rev Richard Harrison
29th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Mr John Gibby