John 3:16 and sports! Many have been confused around the meaning of signs that have John 3:16 on them that show up behind football goal posts, or basketball backboards, or even behind home plate in baseball stadiums. “Is this some riddle?” they wonder. Or “what does this verse have to do with sports?”
The one credited with the rise of John 3:16 is a man who gained notoriety by taking “drawing attention to yourself and getting filmed at sporting events” to a whole new level. Throughout the 1980s, Rollen Stewart traveled 60,000 miles a year as a full-time spectator, living out of his car, and using television’s obsession with athletics as a vessel for promoting his faith. In doing so, he made the Bible passage a fixture of professional sporting events. Unfortunately, ”Rainbow Man” as he was called due to his frizzy rainbow wig he wore, made some bad choices that landed him with three consecutive life sentences.
While I am troubled by Stewart’s method of evangelism and his poor choices, the message of John 3:16 is the hope for Stewart. The message of John 3:16 is much bigger than Rollen Stewart. It was never about sports. Perhaps there is no other single verse that captures the heart of God more succinctly than John 3:16. It powerfully summarizes the greatest news ever given to people.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Have you dwelled on this one verse lately? This is a great time of year to reflect on the coming of Jesus. Corrie Ten Boom wrote, “Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that he gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.”
We share this life together as a church. The other night at the Christmas extravaganza brought much joy to my soul to see the church family sing, laugh, eat, and have fun together as we celebrated the birth of our Savior. And as we went out to sing throughout the neighborhood and to some elderly members of our church, hearts were touched by the presence and voices of EBC. It was so encouraging to see the responses from many of the neighbors as they went from curious to blessed. One neighbor made sure to get a picture of the EBC carolers.
Thanks to the many hands that pitched in to make it such a beautiful night. Don’t forget about the Christmas Eve Service Next Tuesday @ 6:30.
Oh! If “surfer dude” visits us again be sure to make him feel welcomed. He will be easy to spot- his hair is a bit unusual and likely he will have orange lips from the cheese curls!
Blessings to you, Pastor Brian
Looking Forward
Sermon Direction
Connecting The Dots To The Person
Isaiah 9:1-7
Last Sunday’s Sermon
Advent
Advent comes from the Latin adventus which means, “coming.” The main event is the coming, or birth, of Jesus our Savior. As the saints of old anticipated with great expectation Jesus’ first coming, we too eagerly anticipate His return. The four weeks of Advent represent the remembering of the thousands of years God’s people were longing for the coming of God’s salvation.
Christmas Eve Service
“The Perfect Christmas”
Tuesday December 24th at 6:30 pm
Next Week’s Happenings
There will not be a Weekly Epistle next week due to the holiday.
The office will be open Tuesday 8am-3pm and Thursday 8am-4pm.
Pastor Brian will not be in his office from 12/25-12/29
Coming in the New Year
“The Story of Redemption from Cover to Cover”
EBC’s Christmas Extravaganza
A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make this evening a success!
EBC Kids
Please pray for the EBC Kids Ministry. Volunteers in nursery, teachers and helpers in all age groups are needed. For more information please contact Mary Whitman 540-986-6626 or mflain@libery.edu
New Day time Community Group
There will be a new daytime community group that will begin in January. More details to come!
7 Things Every Church Member Needs To Know About Charitable Giving
Available at the Ministry Counter.
Giving Envelopes
2020 Giving envelopes are available for pick up at the ministry counter. Pick up yours this Sunday.
Trajectory REC Basketball
Trajectory REC Monday Night Basketball is Back and BETTER than ever! Beginning Monday’s from 7pm-9pm at the gymnasium.
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), and EBC public and private Facebook pages.