12-06-2020
12-06-2020
Dr. E. Dale Locke (West & Online), Rev. Trevor Johnston (East), and Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)
Sermon Series: Make Room
Week 2: Time for Christmas
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español.
Our memory verse for this series is Luke 2:6-7: “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
1. What are some of your favorite aspects of the Christmas season?
2. Read Luke 10:38-42:
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
3. People often misunderstand this story as if Mary was the spiritual one, and Martha was not. What indications do we have that Martha wasn’t unspiritual, but actually had a deep love for Jesus, just as Mary did?
4. Like Martha, many of us have a tendency toward distraction – especially in December. What are some of things that tend to distract you from the real meaning of Christmas at this time of year?
5. Not just at Christmas, but all throughout the year, it’s easy to get distracted from our relationship with Jesus. Talk about the main things that generally distract you from Jesus in everyday life.
6. Read Psalm 39:4-7: “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
What is the Psalmist trying to communicate here? What does he want us to understand?
Over-activity tends to impact us in a number of ways.
· It distorts my perspective on life.
7. How does over-activity distort a person’s perspective on life?
· It destroys God’s image within me
8. How could over-activity damage God’s image within you?
· It diverts my attention from where real hope is found
9. How could over-activity cause a person to miss the source of real hope?
10. In Luke 10:42, Jesus states that Mary had made a good choice in choosing to sit at his feet and listen to Jesus. When you’ve chosen to spend time with Jesus and listen to him, what have you experienced?
11. Our lives are made up of choices. What helps you choose wisely in your little daily decisions about what to give your time to?
12. Read this prayer out loud together as a group: “Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to you in every way. Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet. Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say. Amen.”
What do you notice in this prayer?
Ready for your next step?
If you would like to take a next step in your faith journey, such as trusting your life to Christ or getting baptized, text the word “Next” to 561-264-6079 and follow the steps there, and we’ll contact you to help you do that.
News and Announcements:
· New Here? Let us know who you are by texting “hello” to 561-264-6079.
· COH App: Be sure to download our app so you can stay connected with our church and get sermon notes, announcements and more!
· Angel Tree: Help us love the 561 by providing gift cards for kids in foster care and for our homeless neighbors. Donate a $25 gift card to Target, Wal-Mart or Amazon before December 7th for kids in foster care. Or donate a $10 fast-food gift card before December 17th for the homeless in our community. Gift cards can be dropped off at the Welcome Desk or the church office. See communityofhope.church/events for more details.
· Blue Christmas: Streaming online on December 7th and on-demand after that. If you’re grieving any kind of loss or hurt this year, join us for our online Blue Christmas Service as Pastor Trevor leads us through a time of remembrance, lament, and hope. Invite friends and family. Share it on social media. For more information: https://communityofhope.church/bluechristmas.
· Christmas Caroling Outreach: Many people in our community feel isolated this Christmas. COH wants to encourage groups of Christmas carolers to bring holiday cheer to those who need encouragement. All you need to do is gather your small group of some friends, pick up some COH Christmas invite cards from the church, and sing tidings of comfort and joy to your neighbors. Need help finding a group to sing with? Fill out this form.
· Christmas at COH is going to be indoors, outdoors and online this year! On 12/24, we’re offering two indoor services at our East Campus on Military Trail - at 5pm in English and 7pm in Spanish. At our West Campus in Loxahatchee, we’ll offer outdoor services, weather permitting, at 5 and 7pm. And beginning 12/21, you can watch our online service whenever it fits best for you.
· College & Career Group: Sundays at 7pm at our West Campus and Mondays at 6:30pm at Commons Park in Royal Palm Beach. If you’re a young adult (out of high school through mid-20s), we invite you to attend our College & Career Group. Even if you’re just home from school for a short time over the holidays, we would love to have you come and connect with us. For more information, go to https://communityofhope.church/cohcollegecareer
· Thank you for your financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to our community! This year our Christmas Missions Offering goes to support our missions partners and our outreach into our community and will also help us get the equipment and staff to better reach people through online teaching . To give to Community of Hope, go to https://communityofhope.church/give. For more information on our Missions Offering, go to https://communityofhope.church/missions-offering