Dec 24, 2017
A Savior Is Born

December 24, 2017 A Savior Is Born. Do you know Him?

    It's one thing to know of Jesus. It's another thing to know Jesus. This Sunday's worship will focus not just on telling the story of Jesus' birth. It will focus on acquainting us with the Jesus who often disappears in all the clutter of the season. We'll slow down for a few moments at our morning and evening services, and get to know Jesus as Lord, friend, and Savior.

In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

Luke 1:26-38

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  • Dec 24, 2017A Savior Is Born
    Dec 24, 2017
    A Savior Is Born

    December 24, 2017 A Savior Is Born. Do you know Him?

        It's one thing to know of Jesus. It's another thing to know Jesus. This Sunday's worship will focus not just on telling the story of Jesus' birth. It will focus on acquainting us with the Jesus who often disappears in all the clutter of the season. We'll slow down for a few moments at our morning and evening services, and get to know Jesus as Lord, friend, and Savior.

    In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

    Luke 1:26-38

  • Dec 24, 2017Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
    Dec 24, 2017
    Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
    Series: (All)
    Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
  • Dec 17, 2017Save the Memories
    Dec 17, 2017
    Save the Memories

    December 17, 2017 Save the Memories, But keep your eyes on the prize.

          In 1985 Salem High School was a powerhouse in football. The only thing they hadn't won was the state championship. Enthusiastic about their team and believing that a long string of state championships lay ahead, the city invested 2.2 million dollars in a 7,500 seat stadium that was better than many small college stadiums and certainly better than any other high school stadium in Virginia.

           The years went by and Salem repeatedly failed to win the state finals. In 1991 they played my son's team from Spotsylvania in the championship game and fell again. It wasn't until 1996, eleven years after the stadium was built, that they finally achieved their goal of winning the title game. Since that time they have nine state championships in football and the stadium hosts championship games each fall, including the Division III College Championship game.

           I'm sure that the eleven years between the building of the stadium and the first Salem High School championship were tough years. I can imagine people saying they had wasted their money, that the dream was just a dream and that the team would never win the big one.

           That must have been how many people in Israel felt before the birth of Christ.They had a huge temple that was one of the wonders of the world. They had the promises of the prophets that a Messiah was coming who would turn their losses into victories. But where were those victories? When would they win the big one?

           It's important in life to never lose our faith in the promises of God. We look back and hold fast to the memories of what he has done in the past. But it is our hope in Jesus that keeps us holding on.

                                                                     In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

    Luke 2:8-20

  • Dec 10, 2017Save the Receipt
    Dec 10, 2017
    Save the Receipt

     

    December 10, 2017 Save the Receipt, but don't exchange the gift.
     

                Have you ever received a Christmas gift and hung on to the enclosed "gift receipt"? You know, just in case you later decided the gift wasn't worth keeping or it was defective.

           Accepting the gift of Jesus Christ as Savior must be an absolute commitment. There isn't a trial period where you can exchange him for another savior if you're not satisfied. There is no comparable gift in the universe. So file away that gift receipt if you wish (better yet, tear it up), take up your cross and follow him. The longer you are with him, the deeper your love for him will grow.

           This week we continue our Advent sermon series focusing on the things we save each Christmas - gift wrap, gift receipts, and memories. Looking through the lens of the things we save at Christmas, we'll rediscover the Christmas story according to God's Word.

                                                                           In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

    John 6:53-7

  • Dec 3, 2017Save the Gift Wrap
    Dec 3, 2017
    Save the Gift Wrap

    December 3, 2017 Save the Gift Wrap, But don't forget the gift.

           It's so easy to get caught up in the "gift wrapping" that comes along with our Christmas celebration. You know, the beauty of the lights and the greenery, the stories and traditions, the memories that deepen our longing for a Christmas "just like the ones we used to know."

           It's so easy to become infatuated with the wonders of Christmas that we might miss the irreplaceable gift inside the wrapping - Jesus Christ.

           This week we begin our Advent sermon series focusing on the things we save each Christmas - gift wrap, gift receipts, and memories. Looking through the lens of the things we save at Christmas, we'll rediscover the Christmas story according to God's Word.

           I hope your Thanksgiving was as blessed as mine. If, like me, you ate a bit too much pumpkin pie and turkey, December might be a good time to fast in preparation for Christmas and the new year (I hear some of you laughing but I'm serious!).

    In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

    Isaiah 53:1-12

  • Nov 26, 2017Who’s the Boss
    Nov 26, 2017
    Who’s the Boss

    November 26, 2017 Who's the Boss?

         Shawna Hiner (our church's Office Administrator and Certified Candidate for Pastoral Ministry) will be our preacher this Sunday morning as Lydia and I spend time with family in North Carolina over the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope you'll come on this "Christ the King" Sunday and hear Shawna's inspired message from Ephesians 1 entitled "Who's the Boss?

          In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

    Ephesians 1:15-23

  • Nov 19, 2017The Days of Whine and Woeses
    Nov 19, 2017
    The Days of Whine and Woeses

    November 19, 2017 The Days of Whine and Woeses

         This Sunday is just four days before Thanksgiving! To help turn our hearts toward a spirit of thanksgiving, we will have three special guests joining us from Woe Is Us UMC in Lowland County, Virginia:

    Ima Whiner, Office Administrator
    Joyless Chintzy, Choir Director
    The Reverend Bob Tweaks, Pastor

    These three experts on whining and grumbling will share some of the challenges they face at Woe is Us UMC and how they have learned to tolerate life in a dysfunctional church.

    After the staff from Woe Is Us UMC shares their wisdom with us, I will join with Shawna Hiner and Joy Tinsley in a time of reflection about moving our hearts toward thanksgiving for the blessings we have received by God's grace.

    In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

    Romans 12:4-21

  • Nov 12, 2017The Upside Down Kingdom
    Nov 12, 2017
    The Upside Down Kingdom

    November 12, 2017 The Upside Down Kingdom

         The Kingdom of Heaven must be an "upside down Kingdom."

          Every person I've ever met who lived out the beatitudes of Matthew 5 lived against the tide of human culture. They saw the world through Kingdom eyes and knew that obedience to God was the highest calling. That obedience would humble their hearts; cause them to be merciful when the world called for revenge; give them the courage to withstand human condemnation in exchange for God's approval.

          During this Sunday's sermon (part 2 in a 2-part sermon series) we'll listen again to Jesus as he proclaims in Matthew 5:1-12 that there is a heaven-sent joy in living out the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Last Sunday we were reminded that the Kingdom of God lives within every disciple of Jesus; and that in Jesus we experience a "here and now" joy that is unparalleled by any joy the world can provide.

          I hope you will come and be blessed by God's Word and the fellowship of fellow believers.

    In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

    Matthew 5:1-12

  • Nov 5, 2017Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven – All Saints Sunday
    Nov 5, 2017
    Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven – All Saints Sunday

    November 5, 2017 Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven- All Saints Sunday

       The Kingdom of Heaven must be an "upside down Kingdom."

    Every person I've ever met who lived out the beatitudes of Matthew 5 lived against the tide of human culture. They saw the world through Kingdom eyes and knew that obedience to God was the highest calling. That obedience would humble their hearts; cause them to be merciful when the world called for revenge; give them the courage to withstand human condemnation in exchange for God's approval.

    You have had those blessed saints in your lives. This Sunday is a day to remember all those who lived out the Kingdom values of Matthew 5; who were made holy by the grace of God in Jesus Christ; who now rest from their labors.

    Truly, theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

    This Sunday is All Saints Sunday. Give thanks for all the saints in your life who are no longer on "this earthly plain" but who have blessed your life by their Godly love and example. I hope you will join us in worship as we light candles and offer up prayers for these loved ones.

    Peace in Our Lord, Pastor Bob

    Matthew 5:1-12

  • Oct 29, 2017Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand
    Oct 29, 2017
    Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand

    October 29, 2017 Hold to God's Unchanging Hand

           "Build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God's unchanging hand."

    This great hymn from the church of my youth reminds us of the fundamental truth of our faith - in the midst of an ever changing universe, God does not change. His promises are trustworthy, his nature is love, and his grace abounds to all. 

          As we gather this Sunday for our church's Homecoming, let's stand firm in our faith and hold to God's unchanging hand. Don't forget, you're invited to wear "period clothing" from any time in the last 139 years of our church's history.... and also bring to the church any old household items (antiques) that will help us remember the generations of saints who have served Christ through this church.

    In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob

    Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17