Posted by Lanny Smith on November 30, 2009 under Staff | 
We observe the season of Advent at Great Bridge. I believe it’s a powerful way to focus our attention as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. This year’s theme is “Light.” You can see it in the candles we light each Sunday. In the wall banners that go up each week. On the Christmas Tree.
Jesus’ words from the Gospel of John help us:
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12)
Chris Tomlin wrote the popular praise song “Here I Am to Worship.” I think it makes a great Christmas song as well:
Light of the world,
You stepped down into darkness.
Opened my eyes, let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore You,
Hope of a life spent with You.
Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You’re my God.
You’re altogether lovely,
All together worthy,
All together wonderful to me.
Lord Jesus, come light up our world through our worship, our walking around, errand running, busy daily lives. Help us to share Your advent with folks who are lost in darkness. Amen.
Posted by Lanny Smith on November 18, 2009 under Featured Articles |
Jon Acuff is funny. Funny like I’ll never be. He writes a daily blog called Stuff Christians Like. He gently pokes fun at “us Christians.” It’s like having a mirror held up to our beliefs, culture and expectations and, off to one side is this guy whose quizzical smile makes you look again and say, “Oops. Are we REALLY like that?”
Jon is also truly committed to Jesus Christ. He’s about as transparent about that as anyone I’ve ever “met” in the blog world. He’s a huge inspiration to me to try and be as open as I can about my faith.
Anyway, Jon got this insanely great idea a little while back to try and raise money to build kindergardens over in Vietnam. You can read the story here on how the whole thing got started. He wanted to build one through Samaritan’s Purse. They’re the folks who do Operation Christmas Child, a wonderful ministry that we support here at Great Bridge.
They told him that they can build the school for $30,000. That’s all. So he gulped and asked all the readers of his blog to help make it happen. He thought it might just be possible to do by the end of December. Friends, his loyal crew of readers donated the whole amount in less than 24 hours. I heard about it late on that particular day and logged on to find out more. When I got on the site there was already over $18,000 raised. First, there were goosebumps and then, tears of joy that God’s blessing was flowing out of His people to help others. By the way, the list of donors is on the site. Most gave $10 or $20. When we all get together, it doesn’t take much from us individually.
This fired up an already excited Acuff. He thought that it would extremely cool to build TWO schools. So that’s what’s happening. And you can help build that 2nd school by going here to donate to the cause. It will be so neat to think that later next year lots of Vietnamese five and six year olds will be learning in a beautiful new school.
I know lots of charities and good causes are out there. And they’re especially vocal this time of year. I’m asking you to pray for success for this ministry and throw five bucks it the electronic plate.
And read Jon’s blog. He’ll make you smile and think all at the same time.
Posted by Lanny Smith on November 16, 2009 under Staff |
One of the points I made on Sunday during our Veterans Day observance was to take action in honoring our vets and active duty personnel.
In my wanderings on the internet today I ran across a website run by “Maj. Pain” of the U.S. Marines. An interesting site to say the least.
He offers some great tips on how to support our military who are deployed. Check out his article here. He references another site for more information.
Check it out and let’s decide to send a deployed soldier a small package to let them know we honor and respect them.
Posted by Lanny Smith on November 12, 2009 under Featured Articles |
Mark your calendars now for the weekend of Dec. 11th and 12th! We’re going to experience a “Night in Bethlehem!” Imagine walking through the marketplace of Bethlehem the time of the year that Jesus was born. Shopkeepers hawking their wares, beggars looking for help, keeping an eye out for tax collectors who want to take your last cent. All the while menacing Roman soldiers watch for trouble.
In the midst of all this hustle and bustle, a baby is born in what amounts to a barn. Daily life is consuming all those folks in the marketplace while True Life was coming into the world.
We’re going to reproduce the sights and sounds of that time at a “Night in Bethlehem.” It’s for everyone. You, your friends, the kids, the grandkids.
You can experience Bethlehem on Friday the 11th beginning at 6 p.m. or on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.
There will be “make and take” crafts and food!
Call the church office at 757-482-2213 if you have any questions.
