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Writer's picturePastor Linda Settles

When Light Shines

We are well into a season that we’ve never seen before and one that we will not see again – the season of Advent 2023.  We have celebrated peace, hope, and joy so far. And when you think about it, isn’t that what the world needs today – peace, hope, and joy?  But in a time of economic strain and political wrangling, it can be hard to find any kind of light at the end of the tunnel.  People seem to have lost hope and a sense of purpose, walking around in darkness.


All you have to do is turn on the news today and you’ll see story after story of people all around the world walking in darkness. Stories like the student who brought a gun to school and killed fellow students; the story of a country wearied from tornadoes, flooding, viruses, and political division. Is there any light in the midst of all of this darkness? 


It was a dark night for a group of shepherds over 2000 years ago. No doubt they had been tending to their sheep, taking them to areas where they could graze, making sure not one of them was lost. Just think, shepherding had to be an exhausting job because even at night the shepherds had to watch over their sheep. But there was something different about this dark night…


“In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”

Luke 2:8-9


“The glory of the Lord shone around them” – that means that light broke into the darkness! If you’ve ever been in a dark room and suddenly someone turns on a light, it startles you, right? You just don’t expect there to be light where there is darkness. The two don’t co-exist, for once the light comes, the darkness is gone! Isaiah saw it coming…


“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”

Isaiah 9:2


That’s what happened to the shepherds that dark, starry night. But it also happens the minute we choose to follow Jesus!  The Light of Christ overcomes the darkness of our souls. Ok, I can’t hold it in much longer! Come on, Sunday! 


I hope you can be with us this Sunday, Christmas Eve! We will finish our Advent Sermon Series based on How the Grinch Stole Christmas and we will celebrate the Light of the World, Jesus, coming to earth and coming into our hearts!


Two Christmas Eve Worship celebrations!

The second one will be at 5:00pm.

We will take Communion together and light our candles as we celebrate that holy night. Our Advent offering will culminate that evening and will be for the Dondo Home, our adopted orphanage in Mozambique.


Charge Conference

will be held via Zoom on January 6, 2024 at 10:00 am. This is the annual business meeting where churches gather and the business reports that the Leadership Board has approved are presented. All members are invited to attend and GT will be one of many churches gathered online. It’s a very quick process since the board has already approved the reports. If any member would like a copy of the Charge Conference packet, please contact the church office.


If you have not returned your pledge card, we will continue to receive them through December 31. Your pledges help us to plan for ministry in 2024. Your information is kept secure and confidential. Also, any contributions to be credited in 2023 must be received in the church office by December 31, 2023. May God bless you for your generosity!


Church Office Closed 

on December 25 and 26 next week! And there will be no blog next week, as I will be taking the week off and celebrating with my sons and grandsons who will be coming in from California! To God be the glory!


May we hold one another in prayer that the peace, hope, joy, and light of Christ fills all of our hearts!


“Glory to God in the highest heaven,    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Luke 2:14


Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!


Blessings,

Pastor Linda


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