Campion Church

Enjoy a beautiful Christmas Eve concert.

There is such a thing as a 5 Gift Rule. It’s possible some have lived their whole life (including this preacher) not knowing the rule. Guess I have been a cheapskate. Apparently, gone are the days of just one gift. In the 5 Gift Rule, the first four gifts are the same: Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. But the 5th? The 5th is the real winner. It's something they need or want but don't really know it. It’s that 5th one, the one we need and want but don’t know it. Could that be the great gift of heaven that we celebrate tomorrow? A gift we need and want but don’t often know it? Let’s reflect on this eve of the celebration, there is the 5th gift.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the American poet who died in 1882, experienced great tragedy in 1835, with the unexpected death of his wife, Mary. This loss came after the miscarriage of their baby. Then, in 1861, Longfellow was struck with grief when he lost his second wife, Fanny. Her death came after an accident, where she was burned. Unutterable heartbreak twice over. Eighteen years later, the poet wrote "The Cross of Snow," reflecting on the pain he still carried from the loss of Fanny. The Christmas story, with all the plans and presents, is still the story of the broken heart of God, giving all of Heaven in exchange for having you and I back from being lost. 

You’ve heard the phrase, “in the nick of time,” right? I’m guessing you’ve even used it a time or two. “In the nick” is that exact instant at which something has to take place. The idea is that a “nick” is a narrow and precise marker, so that if something is “in the nick,” it is exactly where it should be. From the dramatic opener, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” to the thrilling conclusion in, “The Coming of the King,” this cantata illustrates and celebrates God’s perfect timing. His perfect timing on the world stage, and His perfect timing for your life. Welcome to Campion.

Christmas to Calvary: In Our Planet by Micheal Goetz

This Christmas, thousands of people will receive a little box under the tree that has the potential to drastically upset their lives. Over the last 10 years, the at-home genetic test has grown into a multi-million dollar industry, with estimates of growth to $10 billion by 2028. Many of those taking these tests have learned of family members they never knew existed, while others have discovered long-hidden family secrets. None of us can pick our families of origin, but most of us want to understand something of where we've come from. But there was One who could pick His family. And the ones He picked have left some scratching their heads. Of all the people in the world, why did you pick them, Jesus?

The year 1621 may be when the first Thanksgiving dinner took place, but the book of Revelation points toward a Thanksgiving celebration going into the years of eternity. This week as we celebrate the Thanksgiving supper in a study on the final lines of Revelation, we will realize that the last supper and the celebration marriage supper are all together one and the same. Following the service, there is a Thanksgiving fellowship lunch, where all are invited. You are welcome at both... Especially the one in heaven. Welcome to the Unveiling.

The Unveiling: The Seven Last Plagues & The Fall of Babylon by Micheal Goetz

The mark of the beast, the 7 last plagues, the fall of Babylon, and the beasts coming by land and by sea, and it doesn’t take a theologian versed in Greek to realize something serious is happening in the 2nd half of Revelation. Serious. But serious doesn’t have to be scary. After all, we must remind ourselves that there was a blessing guaranteed to those who read and who hear the words of this unveiling of Jesus. So, with that blessed assurance ringing in our ears, let’s keep going and find out the serious (but not scary) prophetic words. You won’t regret it. Welcome to the Unveiling.

Today, October 29, was a difficult day in history. In 1929, 16 million shares in the U.S. stock market were sold, fueling the crisis known as the Great Depression. This day in the year of 1929 became known as “Black Tuesday”. In a world of expensive cereal and butter (groceries and gas), it can be scary. It seems like this is the kind of world that Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel lived in when she was inspired to write the words that turn hymn, “Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side... your God will undertake to guide the future as He has the past.. The waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below”. And wouldn’t you know, Revelation, the unveiling of Jesus, was God’s strongest voice to reassure our hearts. He is with us and is coming back for us. Welcome to the Unveiling.