It's a boy!

Down through history, the exclamation at birth, "It's A Boy!” was the preferable gender reality because it meant that there would be a strong back for a farming family, strong arms for blacksmithing or lumberjacking, etc.

Today, pregnant couples in our society can find out very early whether they'll have a girl or boy. The most prevalent reaction concerning gender is, "It doesn't matter, we just hope for a healthy baby!"

There was no ultrasound 2,000 years ago, but in Mary's not-yet-married world a God-sent messenger announced that she would give birth to a boy. All cultural stigmas aside, she must have trembled with excitement at that moment.

Then more unbelievable baby-information was spoken by that angelic presence: the baby would be God's Son and she should name him Jesus! Waves of fear and anxiety gripped her mind.

The Jehovah that Mary had grown up worshiping daily had favored her, singled her out from all other Jewish maidens. She was being asked to partner with God in this incredible incarnation which would bring God into human fellowship.

God's plan was not to send his son as a full-grown adult to teach, preach and heal from day one on earth. This son would come as an infant, nurtured in the womb, expected to live through years of exploration, learning, and growing, as all mankind does.

As the annunciation began to sink in, Mary's initial response was to humble herself and offer her servant spirit to her Lord.

Then, she just had to run and share what had happened to her. Her relative Elizabeth was the right one with whom to share: no judgment, no prying questions.....just shared joy! Mary burst into song, praising God for his goodness and mercy bestowed upon Israel and amazingly upon her.

Her thankfulness acknowledged the fulfillment of the long-ago prophetic promises......... Now, to share this news with Joseph and the rest of her family and the village.........a boy would mean a strong back in the carpenter shop, and………….

Worship retreat at Sardis

Dr. Michael Hawn and Mr. Neeki Bey led us during our worship retreat at Sardis on November 17-18, 2007.

Enjoy the slide show of the event.

Click to view slide show.

Surround Sound

Fifty years ago when people went to a movie, the sound came from behind the screen or perhaps from either side of it. Today the sounds of the dialogue and the action completely surrounds us; it comes from every direction. We are completely immersed in the sound which comes to our ears from more points than if we were in an actual situation.

All Saints Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in November at Sardis. Worship includes surrounding ourselves with the memories of loved ones who have died during the preceding year. We honor their memory and recall the example they set for us, as well as remembering the debt we owe to them for the influence they have been in our lives.

Remembering those who have gone before helps to remind us that we are not alone, that God's grace will sustain us. Hebrews 12:1 encourages us with the assurance that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Those who have preceded us in death are not just spectators of our lives, but are witnesses to the faithfulness of God.

The heroes of the faith, both personal and corporate, still speak to us as we remember what they said or read what they wrote. We are surrounded by the cloud of saints in our daily lives as surely as we are surrounded by mists on a foggy morning drive. Or as surely as we are surrounded by sound in our local movie theater.

Whose voices do you hear encouraging you as you cope with the living out of today?

Worship Art by Children

Worship through the artistic creativity of children....

Click here to view slide show of art created by children

May God bless them.

Down by the Riverside

Have any of you been baptized in a river?

In Jesus’ day, this was the preferred method of baptism. If running water was not available, the person being baptized was sprinkled with water. Some denominations continue to baptize by sprinkling, but Baptists still baptize by immersion – maybe not in a river, but in a baptistery, which simulates a river.

Baptism represents our confession of faith in Jesus Christ. In baptism, our old life and sins are washed away and a new life in Christ begins. This is a most joyous occasion and God celebrates with us.

I grew up in another denomination, so was sprinkled as a baby. As an adult, I joined the Baptist church was subsequently baptized by immersion. This had special meaning to me because I chose to be baptized by immersion for myself. I will never forget that day.

What are some of your special memories of baptism? What are your thoughts on baptism?

Communion in a Starbucks World

One of our favorite pastimes in today’s society concerns gathering at a local coffeehouse to partake of coffee or some other available beverage, possibly snack on some sort treat and share stories, while discussing the present and looking forward to the future.

In a similar way, we gather together during worship to remember the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us and to look forward to the day when he will return.

During Communion, which is also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, we give thanks to God for Jesus by partaking of bread and juice which are symbolic of Christ’s body and blood. This is a solemn, reverent time as we remember that Christ died so that we may be saved. It is a joyful time as we look forward to his return.

There are different ways of sharing the bread and juice, but no matter how it is done, it is a special occasion.

How do you respond to the Lord’s Supper? Is it a special time for you? What are your favorite ways of taking communion?