Dear CPC Community,
As we approach the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we shine the spotlight on December 11 and 18, taking a look back at last weekend and a look ahead to what we believe God has in store for this coming Sunday. See you in the Sanctuary!
Blessings in Christ,
Your CPC Office of Communications
A Look Ahead To Sunday, December 18:
This will be a morning filled with blessings, both received and bestowed. Barry and Mary Grimms will provide our Advent reading. We will praise our Lord together through a number of favorite Christmas songs: "Angels We Have Heard On High", "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear", "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "O Holy Night." We'll celebrate the infant baptisms of Julian David Smith, son of Sam and Jessica Smith; and Hawkins Thomas Suggs, son of Glenn and Heather Suggs. Our message will center on the "The Benedictus" in Luke 1:57-80—the prophetic blessing expressed by Zechariah over his infant son, John. Leading up to the service, we are all encouraged to read the scriptures above and to meditate on the lyrics of one of our planned worship songs by clicking on the video link:
"Angels We Have Heard On High"
A Look Back to Sunday, December 11:
Last Sunday, from morning to night, was a glorious one at Christ Pres. The Lord spoke to us in Worship as we praised His name through song and pondered the Word together. The Leuellen family provided our Advent reading. We proclaimed the hope of the Christ child's coming by singing "Joy to the World", "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Away in a Manger." For our message, Dr. Wilson Benton focused on Mary's song, "The Magnificat", as recorded in Luke 1:39-56, drawing us to join her in exalting: My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior! (See photos and captions of Sunday morning below.)
On Sunday evening, our Christmas Gift concert blended the traditional (yuletide carols being sung by a choir...) with the modern (a stirring iPad-iPhone rendition of "Feliz Navidad"). Heartfelt thanks to all who helped to make the evening so memorable, including the CPC choir, worship band, actors, the children who took part, CPA vocalists and dancers, our tech crew, and special guest performer Gordon Mote—along with his wife Kimberly and daughter Samantha.
(Above) The Leuellen Family provides our Advent reading.
(Above) Pastor David Filson speaks from the pulpit.
(Above) Members of the CPC worship choir, looking especially yuletide festive!
(Above) Pastor Wilson Benton teaches the message on Mary's song from Luke 1:39-56.
(Above) Lynn Hodges, director of music, performs "The Magnificat".