{"id":10005,"date":"2016-01-04T11:07:37","date_gmt":"2016-01-04T15:07:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=10005"},"modified":"2016-02-02T11:16:34","modified_gmt":"2016-02-02T15:16:34","slug":"just-believe-122415","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=10005","title":{"rendered":"Just Believe (12\/24\/15)"},"content":{"rendered":"

What do you believe?\u00a0 It’s Christmas Eve… God wants to give you a big gift!\u00a0 Not just a package under tomorrow’s tree, but a big lifelong gift.\u00a0 One that lasts.\u00a0 One that makes a difference.\u00a0 Are you ready for it?\u00a0 How do you receive this awesome gift?
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Pastor Jim’s Christmas Eve sermon helped us revisit the manger in a fresh light.
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Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along…<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Our scripture reading was Luke 2:1-20 and Isaiah 9:6-7…<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Scripture<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Luke 2:1-20\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1\u00a0 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.<\/p>\n

2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.<\/p>\n

3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.<\/p>\n

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,<\/p>\n

5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.<\/p>\n

6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.<\/p>\n

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.<\/p>\n

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.<\/p>\n

9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.<\/p>\n

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.<\/p>\n

11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.<\/p>\n

12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”<\/p>\n

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:<\/p>\n

14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”<\/p>\n

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”<\/p>\n

16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.<\/p>\n

17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.<\/p>\n

18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.<\/p>\n

19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.<\/p>\n

20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.<\/p>\n

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Isaiah 9:6-7\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.<\/p>\n

7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.\nNKJV<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

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What do you Believe Tonight???<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your mind might be going a million miles an hour with all sorts of thoughts.\u00a0 But the question isn’t what are you thinking; it’s What do you Believe?<\/p>\n

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Somewhere it has been suggested that we go through Four Phases of Life:<\/span><\/p>\n

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