Devotional by Sharon Jaynes
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV).
With Christmas, it’s easy to get so busy with the cooking, decorating and shopping that we forget why we’re doing all this in the first place. Sometimes, the very people we love get lost in the hustle and bustle of packed schedules, holiday parties, and Christmas musicals.
Several years ago I wrote a Christmas version of 1 Corinthians 13 to help me keep my focus on what Paul deemed most important of all… love. As part of our family tradition, I pull it out and post it somewhere in our home as a reminder of what’s really important during the holiday season. And since you are now part of the family, I’m pulling it out for you.
1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style
If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of your way.
Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.
Let’s Pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, on that starry night in Bethlehem. I am still amazed at Your great love for me. May I never lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, but celebrate Jesus’ birth with joy! Help me to give as You gave—with love.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Annual Sock Exchange: OH Women, join us for our annual sock exchange on Dec. 18 at 5pm. Please bring finger foods to share and a pair of socks to trade! See Rhonda Emanuelson for more information.
Give A Little Christmas: We are partnering with this local nonprofit to be a pick up site for their gift giveaway! You can learn more about this by visiting givealittlenashville.com.
Angel Tree: If you have taken a tag from the Angel Tree, please be sure to return your wrapped gift with tag attached this Sunday!
Year End Giving: As we close this 2021 year, please remember we can accept giving up until December 31st.
Men's Lunch: Men meet for a time of food and fellowship every 1st Tuesday of the month at noon at Courtney's Diner (4066 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet).
Baptism: If you are interested in Baptism, please see Pastor Mike.
WORKERS ARE NEEDED! Please let us know if you can help in the following areas...
CHURCH CENTER: You are invited to join us on the Church Center app! Church Center is a place to connect with small groups and church events, send messages to your group, update your profile, and more! Download from the App Store and connect today. If you have trouble with setting up or updating your profile (make sure your contact information is correct!), see Jenn Houchin.
Food Pantry: The Old Hickory Nazarene location is open on Wednesday from 5:00-7:00 PM. Volunteers and non-perishable donations are needed.
Coffee Shop: Uncommon Grounds is open every Monday-Saturday from 7:00 AM-2:00 PM. Invite a friend and use this great outreach to introduce the church to your friends.
BIBLE STUDIES
SUNDAYS
Debbie Woodard leads the Young Adult class in person and via ZOOM for anyone who would like to join. They meet Sunday mornings at 9am in the classroom next to the office.
Meeting ID: 868 1977 8952
Password: Bible101
Kenneth Ray & Gracie Smith lead the Friendship Class in person and via ZOOM for anyone who would like to join. They meet Sunday mornings at 9am in the classroom down the hall and to the right of the office.
Meeting ID: 846 6822 8046
Password: Bible101
Brice Rupert leads the teens class (grades 6-12), Kelsey Quillen leads the kids class (grades k-5), both in person at 9:00am. We have kids classes for all ages.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP begins at 10:00am in the sanctuary. The services will continue to be live streamed on Facebook and our website home page for those unable to be with us in the church building.
OH|KIDS CHURCH for K-5th grade meets in the kids room downstairs during the worship hour at 10:00am.
TUESDAYS
Coffee & Community Bible Study every other Tuesday at 9:30am in the Coffee Shop. Next meeting is on December 21.
WEDNESDAYS
YOUTH GROUP meets from 6-8pm. The first hour will be games and snacks and the second will be the Bible study.
Wednesday Night Bible Study with Debbie Woodard is on break until January.
THURSDAYS
Thursday prayer and devotional is obreak until January. If you haven't done so already, please join our Thursday Night Prayer Group on the Church Center App. You can quickly submit a praise or prayer request and be in prayer for others as requests come in. While the Thursday Night Group will not meet on Zoom until January 2022, this group is still active and welcomes you to join!
