GBC Community Update: Immanuel means God is with US

​Good morning! It was so good to be part of a full Kid’s and Youth Christmas program after three years on Sunday.  Thanks to our hospitality team for putting on the amazing lunch.  It was a real blessing to me, I hope it was to you as well. If you missed out, do be sure to watch it on our YouTube channel. 
 
 
Oasis@Midweek tomorrow
Our popular children's ministry event Oasis@Midweek happens tomorrow night. Kids JK to grade 6 are invited to join us from 6:30pm to 8pm for an Oasis Camp themed evening of music, games, life lesson and this time our popular drama led by the youth group.  O@M is not just for those who went to camp but for all who would like to remember how MONUMENTAL God is and celebrate his awesomeness.
 
 
GBC Community Christmas Carol Event help
With our community Christmas Carol sing coming up on the 23rd we need some people to help distribute postcards in the next few days in the neighborhood to get out the word. 
The night of I could use a couple of people to help me with greeting and parking.
Finally, please pray for all the details and that the weather would be good and God would be honored.  It’s going to be a great night.
 
 
Update on the Prayer Chain
From December 15-25 the Chapmans are away so, any prayer requests that would go to Carroll during this period should go to [email protected]
May we continue to lift each other up in prayer.
 
 
Thought for the day: Immanuel mean God is with US
Immanuel. I talked about the word on Sunday and its often heard at this time of year. But what does this unusual word mean for the Christmas story? 
When the angel said to Joseph: "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' - which means, 'God with us.'" This had implications for not just Joseph but for us as well.
I like how singer Michael Card put it: "The implications of the name 'Immanuel' are both comforting and unsettling. Comforting, because He has come to share the danger as well as the drudgery of our everyday lives. He desires to weep with us and to wipe away our tears. And what may seem bizarre, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, longs to share in and to be the source of the laughter and the joy we all too rarely know."
Why do we turn to God so quickly in times of sorrow and struggle, in danger and fear, and forget him in the times of joy and rejoicing? If God is the giver of joy and he is "God with us," then he must want to share in those moments of great joy, and even in those times of silly laughter and fun. 
God does that, really?
Yes, he does. He wants to share in our joy too, that’s another meaning of God with us. This Christmas, and yes, even when its impacted by inflation, war, illness and such, when those inevitable moments of joy and laughter break out, be sure to invite God in to share it with you because at Christmas, how can you not?
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris