Stonybank Community Church with Pastor James Carroll

background by Eloise who is playing piano and with Joanne and Joey on bells

I just wanted to share Roger's greeting to his church family as he spends Christmas Day in the hospital

Looking at the shepherds, the trouble with Christmas is we have no quiet place to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus.  

Its a little hard to hear the carol story shared by Eloise but then she plays as Joe and Mitch sing this beautiful Christmas carol.

A wondering caravan of noblemen show up late to the party bearing gifts. Their arrival shows the birth of Jesus to be "on this wise" or such a peculiar way it demands the interaction of our faith.  The arrival of these eastern noblemen introduces additional detail of prophecy and confirms this gospel is for the world.

Eloise shares a little of the story and then she on piano and Everett on the saxophone play for us

In this overlooked gathering shortly after the birth of Jesus we learn lessons from these two prophets, Simeon and Anna.  When you answer the invitation to come to see Jesus you will #1 never be disappointed and #2 never be the same.  Why must we come to Jesus? Because on our own we are lost to find answers.  How must we come? Like Simeon who was drawn by the Holy Spirit.  When must we come to Jesus? Like Anna when you are drawn to Jesus as a baby not knowing all it may mean but as you take him up in your arms you know nothing will ever be the same from this day forward.

the recording begins with some of the hymn story by Eloise and then she and Joanne play this Christmas carol as our offertory.

Psalm 145 is 100% pure praise, which follows series of prayers... praise always follows prayer and the two are inseparably linked.  Psalm 145 is written as an acrostic with each verse beginning with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  However, between verses 13 and 14 one letter is missing and like a broken hallelujah reminds us how inadequate we are to give the glory due His name.

Here is a link where you can learn more about her and the ministry www.cru.org   If you would like to give directly go to Lindsey Grathwol online at https://give.cru.org/0711110