Have you thought about how strange everything about the birth of Jesus was? Whatever people expected Jesus’ coming would look like, no one imagined it to look like it did.
Even though Old Testament prophecy predicted a virgin would conceive and bear a son, I am not sure they took that to mean that a virgin would miraculously become pregnant with God. Did anyone imagine that when the long-expected Messiah would be born it would be in some dingy cave used to house animals? Did anyone expect that the little town of Nazareth would be the place the Messiah would be raised up? Then there are the shepherds, some magi who were akin to astrologers. And who ever thought that “Immanuel” literally meant that God would become flesh and pitch his tent on planet earth?
Immanuel… let that sink in. The heart of the Christmas story can be summed up in three words, “God with us” (Immanuel). We will be taking a break from our sermon series in the book of Revelation to focus on God with us and the difference those three words make on our lives. There will be a Christmas Eve service on Monday, December 24 at 6:30 with a candlelight celebration concluding our time together. Hope you can make it!
What’s next? That is the question we are asking as we seek what God has for EBC in the new year. That question applies to all areas in the life of the church. In a very specific way it applies to changes, upgrades, and enhancements to our God-given facility. We will be unrolling more of the details around this in January. Tying into this, I am also excited about working through the book of Haggai in the month of January. For now, the call is to pray! Soon we will be asking you to make a commitment to prayer around the “What’s next” campaign.
What about our study in the book of Revelation? Hang on, we will be returning to it in February after the “Inspire, enlighten, encourage, enlist” conference on February 8-10. What is this conference all about? Stay tuned!
I wish you all could have heard the excitement in the room this past Sunday in the fellowship hall with the welcome luncheon. Between this welcome luncheon and the previous one two months ago, we had a total of 44 people (including children). God continues to bring to EBC a beautiful mix of young families, singles, empty nesters, middle age couples with kids, and people from all stages on their spiritual journey. He does arrange the parts, doesn’t He?
See you Sunday, if not sooner, and don’t forget, members, the business meeting on Thursday night in the fellowship hall at 7:00.
I know it is a bit cliché, but let’s not forget the reason for the season!
Pastor Brian
Even though Old Testament prophecy predicted a virgin would conceive and bear a son, I am not sure they took that to mean that a virgin would miraculously become pregnant with God. Did anyone imagine that when the long-expected Messiah would be born it would be in some dingy cave used to house animals? Did anyone expect that the little town of Nazareth would be the place the Messiah would be raised up? Then there are the shepherds, some magi who were akin to astrologers. And who ever thought that “Immanuel” literally meant that God would become flesh and pitch his tent on planet earth?
Immanuel… let that sink in. The heart of the Christmas story can be summed up in three words, “God with us” (Immanuel). We will be taking a break from our sermon series in the book of Revelation to focus on God with us and the difference those three words make on our lives. There will be a Christmas Eve service on Monday, December 24 at 6:30 with a candlelight celebration concluding our time together. Hope you can make it!
What’s next? That is the question we are asking as we seek what God has for EBC in the new year. That question applies to all areas in the life of the church. In a very specific way it applies to changes, upgrades, and enhancements to our God-given facility. We will be unrolling more of the details around this in January. Tying into this, I am also excited about working through the book of Haggai in the month of January. For now, the call is to pray! Soon we will be asking you to make a commitment to prayer around the “What’s next” campaign.
What about our study in the book of Revelation? Hang on, we will be returning to it in February after the “Inspire, enlighten, encourage, enlist” conference on February 8-10. What is this conference all about? Stay tuned!
I wish you all could have heard the excitement in the room this past Sunday in the fellowship hall with the welcome luncheon. Between this welcome luncheon and the previous one two months ago, we had a total of 44 people (including children). God continues to bring to EBC a beautiful mix of young families, singles, empty nesters, middle age couples with kids, and people from all stages on their spiritual journey. He does arrange the parts, doesn’t He?
See you Sunday, if not sooner, and don’t forget, members, the business meeting on Thursday night in the fellowship hall at 7:00.
I know it is a bit cliché, but let’s not forget the reason for the season!
Pastor Brian
Looking Forward
Sermon Direction
“When People Look BIG and God Looks small“Isaiah 7:14; 8:1-10
Last Sunday’s Sermon
Cancellation Procedure for Sunday Mornings
In the event of bad weather that would potentially impact services, the following will be taken into consideration: the current weather in Laconia, timing of the weather event, and whether roads, walkways, parking areas will be cleared. A decision will be made by 7:30 am to cancel one or both of our services. Events in the afternoon or evening will be dealt with separately. EBC will notify of cancellation using the following:
- WMUR TV*
- Church website news feed www.laconiachurch.com
- Email (weekly epistle list),
- EBC public and private Facebook pages.
*(If 1st service is cancelled, it will say Early Service on WMUR)
ELMM
The next meeting of the Military Ministry (ELMM) will be Saturday Dec. 8 @ 0800 in the Prayer Room behind the stage. Veterans, retirees, active duty military, men, women and all denominations are welcome. So please come join us in fellowship, prayer and discussion of our common bond of those who serve. (Please note that this a personal ministry and not an EBC church ministry)OWLS
OWLS will enjoy the One Voice Concert entitled “Heavenly Peace” on Sunday, December 16th at the Inter-Lakes Community Auditorium in Meredith. We will meet at EBC at 1:45 to travel to Meredith for the 3PM concert. Contact us with any questions.
- Bette and Jay Moreau lfd21jay@metrocast.net
528-4458 or 759-3780 - Norma Phillips normaandwilbur@comcast.net
783-0211 or 848-7203
Meal train for The Hardy Family
A meal train has been set up for Bethany and Alex Hardy as they welcome home their new baby boy. You can sign up at: mealtrain.com