Finding Joy through Forgiveness and Faith | 2025-12-21
Each week we'll explore one of the four themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Pick up a Harmony Study booklet on Sunday after church!
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).
If you have interest in sharing Christmas Card greetings with your Grace Church family, you can drop your cards at the Welcome Kiosk now through December 21st. The Welcome Team will be sorting the cards and distributing them to families on Sunday mornings. Contact Leslie Booher ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
No Grace Church birthdays or anniversaries this week.
May you be blessed as you celebrate the birthday of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
May you be blessed as you celebrate the birthday of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
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This month we are looking at the four main themes of the Advent season and relating them to different areas of our life. The word Advent is defined as "The arrival or coming of a notable person, thing, or event."
As Christians, we celebrate Advent during the month of December remembering the first coming of Jesus. We also look forward to His second coming when the Lord returns for His Church and brings about the end of this age.
As Christians, we celebrate Advent during the month of December remembering the first coming of Jesus. We also look forward to His second coming when the Lord returns for His Church and brings about the end of this age.
Last week we focused on the second Advent theme: Finding Peace with our Family and Friends. We talked about the Hebrew word Shalom that is translated "Peace."
Christmas Song: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams
When you read the lyrics, it creates a magical and surreal image of the Christmas season.
One of the lines uses the words, "Hap-Happiest season of all," but that just isn't true for many people and the reasons are many.
Most of us know that being happy or the idea of happiness doesn't come with a magic button to be activated at will.
Happy is an emotion that is conditional on our personal standards, circumstances, and overall well-being.
Happiness is rooted in our temporal personal life and can be likened to a roller coaster ride (ups & downs, twists & turns, fears & fun).
When you read the lyrics, it creates a magical and surreal image of the Christmas season.
One of the lines uses the words, "Hap-Happiest season of all," but that just isn't true for many people and the reasons are many.
Most of us know that being happy or the idea of happiness doesn't come with a magic button to be activated at will.
Happy is an emotion that is conditional on our personal standards, circumstances, and overall well-being.
Happiness is rooted in our temporal personal life and can be likened to a roller coaster ride (ups & downs, twists & turns, fears & fun).
The theme today is Joy. Joy is a constant theme throughout the Bible; talked about in one form or another some 400-500 times. The word happy or happiness is only used 10-30 times (depending on your Bible version).
Joy is also an emotion but it transcends happiness.
Joy has a spiritual beginning, empowerment, and an eternal focus that stays constant, even when the things of this earth fall apart, disappoint, or turn against us.
Joy is also an emotion but it transcends happiness.
Joy has a spiritual beginning, empowerment, and an eternal focus that stays constant, even when the things of this earth fall apart, disappoint, or turn against us.
The theme of Joy is associated with the Bible passages detailing the Christmas story. In them we see how Joy originates with God and transcends the normal circumstances of life.
1. The JOY EVIDENT in Mary.
Luke 1:46-48
Luke 1:46-48
Luke 1:46-48
BSB
46 Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
BSB
2. The JOY EXPRESSED by the Shepherds.
Luke 2:10, 17-18
Luke 2:10, 17-18
Luke 2:10, Luke 2:17-18
BSB
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
17 After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him.
18 And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
17 After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him.
18 And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
BSB
3. The JOY EXPERIENCED by the Magi.
Matthew 2:10-11
Matthew 2:10-11
Matthew 2:10-11
BSB
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight.
11 On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
11 On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
BSB
The JOY of the Christmas season is found in a personal relationship with God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. It brings us ASSURANCE in our times of uncertainty, a PURPOSE when we feel insignificant, alone, and discouraged, and CONFIDENCE to trust the Lord to get us past the obstacles we face.
Application:
We'll use the letters of the word JOY to guide our thoughts this week:
1. Examine your life to see if you have fully committed your life to JESUS.
2. Look for ways to be a blessing and to have spiritual conversations with OTHERS.
3. Think of the obstacles you currently face, and thank God that He is with YOU.
We'll use the letters of the word JOY to guide our thoughts this week:
1. Examine your life to see if you have fully committed your life to JESUS.
2. Look for ways to be a blessing and to have spiritual conversations with OTHERS.
3. Think of the obstacles you currently face, and thank God that He is with YOU.
