LifeBridge plans to take part again in this year’s parade on December 7, so make sure to stay tuned to help with that and see Marci Migura for details.
Step into a world of enchantment at the upcoming Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade! Get ready to be dazzled as the streets come alive with a procession of magnificent floats, each a masterpiece of holiday magic. We’re excited to share the details of this year’s parade, so mark your calendars for a memorable evening.
Floats, adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations, will start lining up at 5pm, transforming the parade route into a spectacle of wonder. The grand parade is scheduled to kick off at 7pm, promising a mesmerizing display of lights, creativity, and holiday spirit…
The Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade is more than just a procession – it’s a celebration of togetherness, a showcase of imagination, and a symphony of lights that brings our community together. So save the date, invite your friends and family, and be prepared to be swept away by the magic of the season. We can’t wait to share this unforgettable evening with you!
What are our priorities? Not just what we say they are or want them to be or what we think they should be so others view us the “right” way; what are they actually?
[Jesus said,] “You will be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Mark 13:13
Last week we heard that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbors as ourselves. But, really — “all”?! I mean, come on. That’s just hyperbole, right?
That’s what we’d like to believe, but that is not the reality of the text or our calling.
Today’s Scriptures make that clear.
In the Gospel, Jesus praises the poor widow literally gave everything she had! In the Old Testament lesson, Elijah asks for the same from a widow and her son; and she obliges!
Both gave because the truly believed and put that faith into practice, trusting that the Lord would provide!
So, what’s holding us back from being “all in” for God in all areas of our lives? Is it a lack of calling? A lack of faith? A lack of trust? Is it disbelief in what Scripture says or what God commands? Is it an inherent security that comes from our stuff instead of God? Our time instead of His work? Our perceived duty to self and others over duty to Him?
The fact is, there is nothing we have that isn’t actually His; including our things and time. When we realize that He has simply granted us temporary stewardship over these things, it is very freeing! Our decisions can be “all in” because they are “all His” anyway. We can rely on His provisions because we see His faithfulness for us every day. So we can respond in with the same generous faithfulness in all things!
“Thank You, Lord, for Your constant faithfulness to us and provisions for us. Grant us thankful hearts that respond to You in every way, for everything, forever! In Jesus’ name. Amen!”Throughout history there are those who would agree with Charles Dickens that they lived in “the best of times” and “the worst of times.”
Dicken was writing about the French Revolution era, but I wonder if some in Jesus’ time might have been tempted to think similarly. After all, though they were under Roman rule and all the negatives that contained, they were mostly left alone, had a beautiful temple and temple area; they could travel fairly freely, earn a decent living, and lived within the “Pax Romana.”
“Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” (Mark 13:1)
But Jesus doesn’t share a rosy future approaching, but rather some frightening – even horrifying things to come! He shares the challenges that will come soon and last until He comes again. They need to watch and be on their guard lest they stray and walk the path of the world instead of the path of God.
We see people being led astray in similar ways today. We hear cries about how wonderful (or terrible) things are, or great they will be. We focus on this or that of the world, or issues which are temporary and take our eye off the ball of promised eternal prize and what must precede It.
We caught up in and try to read “signs of the time” in this age instead of those of the World to come.
“See that no on leads you astray” Jesus says. That is just as true for us as it was for His disciples then.
Things will get bad. Very bad. But fear not, for “the one who endures to the end will be saved!”
Don’t be swayed by the “best” or “worst” of this world! Don’t loose sight of Goal! Don’t take your focus off Him!
HE is the point! HE is the goal! HE is the best, for all time!
What are our priorities? Not just what we say they are or want them to be or what we think they should be so others view us the “right” way; what are they actually?
And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.
1 Kings 17:13
Last week we heard that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbors as ourselves. But, really — “all”?! I mean, come on. That’s just hyperbole, right?
That’s what we’d like to believe, but that is not the reality of the text or our calling.
Today’s Scriptures make that clear.
In the Gospel, Jesus praises the poor widow literally gave everything she had! In the Old Testament lesson, Elijah asks for the same from a widow and her son; and she obliges!
Both gave because the truly believed and put that faith into practice, trusting that the Lord would provide!
So, what’s holding us back from being “all in” for God in all areas of our lives? Is it a lack of calling? A lack of faith? A lack of trust? Is it disbelief in what Scripture says or what God commands? Is it an inherent security that comes from our stuff instead of God? Our time instead of His work? Our perceived duty to self and others over duty to Him?
The fact is, there is nothing we have that isn’t actually His; including our things and time. When we realize that He has simply granted us temporary stewardship over these things, it is very freeing! Our decisions can be “all in” because they are “all His” anyway. We can rely on His provisions because we see His faithfulness for us every day. So we can respond in with the same generous faithfulness in all things!
“Thank You, Lord, for Your constant faithfulness to us and provisions for us. Grant us thankful hearts that respond to You in every way, for everything, forever! In Jesus’ name. Amen!”
On Christmas Eve, we will enjoy food, fellowship, and worship!
At 4:00 PM in the café we will have food and fellowship, sharing the joy of Jesus!
We’ll then journey into the sanctuary at 5:00 PM to hear, experience, and partake in the worship of the Newborn King, Jesus; the Savior born for us!
We want you to know that you and your family are invited and welcome this Christmas Eve at LifeBridge. We don’t care what you look like, your religious background, or if you normally attend church. We just want to celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas with you!
There are some people who love school and learning. Others; not so much.
Jesus answered, “The most important [commandment] is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:29
Yet constant learning is a calling for every Christian. Learning more and more about what God’s says, about what God wants, what God has done, what He will do.
Most of us are familiar with the Greatest two commandments: Love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourself. But many seem to simply stop there.
It’s good to know the two greatest, but they aren’t the only!
God has a lot to say and we have a lot to learn. He gives us all of Scripture to bring us closer to Him; to bring others to Him. If we aren’t constantly learning and growing, we are not fulfilling God’s call and commands.
He tells us to teach, talk about, bind, and write His Words. To do that, we need to learn and do them, too!
We need to be in a constant state of humble learning, gentle teaching, and active living all His Words!
“Send Your Spirit, Lord, and teach us, and help us teach others and live for You; in and through Jesus. Amen.”
The need for more blood donations is growing daily. Your blood donation is essential to keep the blood supply strong and steady. Without on-going donors, we cannot ensure people have the blood they need.
We’re asking you to come in and donate! The need is real. The need is now.
