Sunday, December 17
Hello church family! This Sunday we will be celebrating the third week of Advent and lighting the third candle which symbolizes joy. This has also been called the shepherd's candle because of the declaration received by the angels–good tidings of great joy. Our passage this Sunday will be Luke 1:59-80 and Pastor Emanuel will be walking us through the birth of John and the hymn of Zechariah. This passage is traditionally called the “Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel” because of Zechariah’s opening expression—“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel”. It is a song of benediction and praise for how God has worked to bring about the dawning of light in the coming birth of Christ. "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.” (ESV, Luke 1:66-68) We encourage you to read the passage ahead of time and join us in God’s Word corporately on Sunday!