epcblog

Devotional thoughts (Monday through Thursday mornings) from the pastor of Exeter Presbyterian Church in Exeter, NH // Sunday Worship 10:30am // 73 Winter Street

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!

Meditation: from The Fountain of Life by 17th century British minister John Flavel, in his chapter considering the birth of Christ from the text John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...”

“He that undertakes to satisfy God, by obedience for man's sin, must himself be God; and he that performs such a perfect obedience, by doing, and suffering all that the law required, in our room, must be man. These two natures must be united in one person, else there could not be a concourse or co-operation of either nature in his mediatory works. How these natures are united, in the wonderful person of our Immanuel, is the first part of the great mystery of godliness; a subject studied and adored by angels!”

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Christmas Eve Service

Come celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ - December 24th - 7 PM - 73 Winter Street, Exeter, (603) 772-7479

Preparation: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (#194)

Welcome and Opening Prayer
Luke 2:11

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” (#208)

Genesis 1:1-5, John 1:1-17

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” (#201)
Unison Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
O Source of all good,

What shall we give to You for the Gift of all gifts,

Your own dear Son?

He took our flesh and became the Son of Man,

In order that He should make us become with Him sons of God.

He clothed Himself in our poverty,

In order to transfer to us His riches.

He took upon Himself our weakness.

In order to strengthen us by His power.

He assumed our mortal condition,

In order to give to us immortality.

He descended to earth,

In order to raise us to heaven.

O God, let us hear good tidings of great joy,

And hearing, may we believe, rejoice, praise, and adore.

Forgive us our sins, and receive our worship this night.

In Jesus Name. Amen.


“Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming” (#221)
Message: “Glory to God in the Highest”

TONIGHT’S PASSAGE:

Luke 2:1-20 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Introduction – Something to ponder; someone to treasure
In those days (1-3)

A simple but real birth (4-7)

Shepherds in glory (8-14)

What they heard and saw; and what they said and did (15-20)

Offering for Ministers and Widows in Distress
“Silent Night” (#210)
Benediction

Friday, December 21, 2007

Jeremiah 2

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Jeremiah 1

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Isaiah 66

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Isaiah 65

Monday, December 17, 2007

Isaiah 64

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Snow

Job 37:6 For to the snow he says, 'Fall on the earth,'...

Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Psalm 148:7-8 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!

Isaiah 1:18 18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

Isaiah 55:10-11 10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Daniel 7:9 9 As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.

Matthew 28:1-3 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

Revelation 1:12-14 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white like wool, as white as snow. ...

As you may know by now, we have no church today because of the snow...

Have a safe and wonderful day.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Isaiah 63

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Isaiah 62

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Isaiah 61

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Isaiah 60

Monday, December 10, 2007

Isaiah 59

Friday, December 07, 2007

Isaiah 58

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Isaiah 57

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Isaiah 56

Monday, December 03, 2007

Isaiah 55