Pastor Symps speaks lavishly on the great "I Am" declaration from Jesus that He is THE light of the world, and how Scripture demonstrates that He has always been and will always be the Light of the World. Also, how the Lord's intent, command, and gift to us is to not only. continue IN His light, but for us to convey and to be, to a desperately needy world, His Light through us!

John 8: 12-30 is our Scripture for today.

We delve into one of Jesus' most lengthy discourses with the people, found in John 8:31-59. Many people, wanting to believe, but perplexed (some angry) at Jesus' claims of intimate deity with the Father, climaxing with the resounding, eternal description that Jesus gives of Himself: I AM!

Pastor Ryan leads us through Exodus 3: 1-15, the moment, after 40 years of waiting, the Lord reaches out to Moses to call him to free Israel from the clutches of Egypt.

This Scripture passage, Paster Ryan reminds< declares emphatically that God cares, God hears, and God is with us!

Pastor Ryan introduces us to a new year of Scripture messages. Anticipating a difficult year ahead for all, we explore James 1:1-5 and Philippines 2:10-25, where we read of the Lord's plan to lead us "through" trials and difficulties instead of going around , over or under them. Just as Jesus went through the cross for us, we too can look beyond the trouble and "count it all joy" to know that God carries us through, and we have a deeper insight into His love for us.

We close our short series, and our year, with testimonies from several of our BCC family. Pastor Ryan introduces us to the reality that "grief and hope are sisters". Our testimonies today are from God's children who have experienced both during this year's journey, sharing from their heart how God carried them through, and how, unlike the rosy picture many try to paint from such trials, grief is still present, yet now seen through our God's lens of His Hope.

Highlights from our BCC Christmas Eve service on Dec. 24th. Pastors Ryan and Symps provide devotional messages focusing on the rich theological content found in our classic Christmas carols, and their significant proclaiming of the Good News, Christ's arrival and its offer of redemption and salvation.

Our passages are from the glowing reports of Luke, Chap. 2. Children's Minister Jena Schwab shares with our children the meaning of prophet Anna's long-anticipated reward for her patient waiting for the Messiah, and Pastors Ryan and Symps co-share of Simeon's equally joyous blessing as he too sees the young Savior- in the temple, many saw Mary, Joseph and Jesus, but only Anna and Simeon understood Who He was -like today, many celebrate Christmas, but few truly understand why.

"God is coming to rescue us from our enemies!" That, says Pastor Ryan is the main point of the song from Zechariah, who understood that man had found favor with Gos as He gave unto us a Savior! How the enemy wishes we would miss such a Christmas gift as this!

Luke Chapter 1: 5-25, 57-80 are our Scripture passages for today.

Our BCC children, directed by our Children's Minister Jena Schwab, present their annual Christmas play, this focusing on the Nativity story. After the play, Elder Steve Snyder delivers our Communion devotion.

We look at Luke 1:26-56, the famous story of Mary's conception, visit with Elizabeth and her famous first Christmas song, known as the Magnificat. Pastor Ryan emphasizes the content and character of her song, no lullaby here, but a declaration of deep conviction that God will delver, God will save, this Most High God has shown and will show mercy.