Newspaper Page Text
Page 6A - The Lee County Ledger, Thursday, December 20,2001
What the Bible Teaches From A Pastor’s Heart
By Frank Taylor
Believers and unbelievers
alike usually can identify
Bethlehem as the birthplace
of Jesus. That’s because, like
so many other elements of the
Christmas story, the setting is
not incidental but essential to
the story of Christmas. It was
not by chance or happen
stance but divine design that
Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
The prophet, Micah,
prophesied the joyful signifi
cance for which Bethlehem
would become permanently
renown: “But you, Bethlehem
Ephrathah, though you are
little among the thousands of
Judah, yet out of you shall
come forth to Me the One to
be Ruler in Israel, whose
goings forth are from of old,
from everlasting” (Micah
5:2). Bethlehem was a town
especially prepared for Jesus.
God didn’t just look down
from heaven at a map of the
universe and put his finger
down and say, “Let’s do it
there.” Jesus was strategi
cally bom in Bethlehem, a
city of rather insignificant
account, but the one selected
by God according to His
purposes and to fulfill the
prophecies. Why Bethlehem?
God may have deliberately
chosen this village, consid
ered the least of all cities, so
that no one would ever feel so
insignificant as to be unable
to approach Him. He came
down to us, to be one of us,
and started out in humble
beginnings in a humble town.
A closer look magnifies
Bethlehem from a footnote in
the pages of history to true
significance in the Bible. In
fact, the references to this city
throughout the pages of
Scripture may be more
prevalent than some would
suspect. By dissecting the
words that make up the name
of this city one gets an even
better sense of how this town
figures into the Christmas
story. Literally, the word
“Bethlehem” means “the
house of bread.”
During His ministry, Jesus
also identified Himself as
“the
Bread of
Life.”
The
“Bread
of Life”
was torn
from
“the
house of
bread.”
Jesus was born specifically in
Bethlehem as a reminder to
us that He is the One who
will satisfy the longing
hunger in the hearts of people
forever.
Bethlehem also has a
second name, which you may
have noticed in the text in
Micah 5:2. The word
Ephrathah means “fruitful
ness.” Ephrath means “to be
fruitful.” Jesus makes a
striking correlation to this
when He says in John 15:5, “I
am the vine, you are the
branches. He who abides in
Me, and I in him, bears much
fruit; for without Me you can
do nothing.”
Our Savior was born to
satisfy the hungry as the
Bread of Life. He was born
for the thirsty as the Vine of
Life. He was born in this
town of Bethlehem, at the
moment foretold in prophecy,
just so that today, two
thousand years later, we
might marvel over Godis
intricate master plan. It is
one that contrasts death with
life, sorrow with joy. It
manages to reconcile the two
through the one person of
Jesus Christ. For the Chris
tian, Bethlehem is a constant
source of joy wrapped up in
this timeless message: “For
there is born to you this day
in the city of David a Savior
who is Christ the Lord”
(Luke 2:11).
(John 14:1-4 KJV) "Let not
your heart be troubled: ye believe
in God, believe also in me. {2}
In my Father's house are many
mansions: if it were not so, I
would have told you. I go to pre
pare a place for you. {3} And if I
go and prepare a place for you, I
will come again, and receive you
unto myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also. {4} And
whither I go ye know, and the way
ye know."
The words Jesus spoke above
are perhaps some of the most
comforting words in the entire
bible. God understands our hopes,
desires, and dreams, and knows
our fears, too. In a day in which
we rarely hear anything good on
the news programs, or read about
something that is uplifting in the
newspapers, God is encouraging
us to face another day with ex
pectancy of good things and hope
for eternity.
The whole world has been ef
fected by the terrorist attacks on
September 11. Many people have
determined in their hearts to go
on with their lives, while others
have lost hope altogether. Jesus
gave a very clear answer to those
whose lives have been turned up
side down by fear and terror - "Let
not your heart be troubled: ye
believe in God, believe also in
me." Fear can immobilize us, but
God can give us strength to over
come.
So many people are depressed
during this time of year for one
reason or another. Just take a good
look at people's faces as they shop
for that perfect gift. You see frus
tration, fear, amazement, or ab
solutely no joy at all. There is so
much to do, and so many places
to be, it's no wonder some find it
difficult to maintain peace and
joy. We all need to focus once
again on the source of our joy.
Jesus Christ, and begin praising
Him for all He has done for us.
Once we do that, depression, fear
and dread will have to leave.
Christmas should not be a time
characterized by pretty lights and
fancy parties. We have replaced
the true meaning of Christmas
with glitz and glitter, lights and
rs
,)|Pi
Ronald E. Parish
manger scenes with Santa look
ing at baby Jesus sleeping in His
bed of hay. There's something
wrong when you put more em
phasis on a fable than you do on
the Son of God. Please take time
out of your busy schedules this
Christmas to reflect on the place
Christ has in your hearts. I am not
trying to be a Scrooge, but I am
suggesting we slow down, take a
deep breath, and be still long
enough to give glory and honor
to the King of Kings and Lord of
Lords.
By the way, we are still looking
for a talented piano player to help
us out in our music department. I
am quite certain there are people
sitting in a church somewhere in
this community who desires to
use the talent God gave them.
Please don't let your talent go to
waste.
If you have any questions, sug
gestions. or comments, please
contact me at (229)888-2588 or
e-mail to eacog@mindspring.
com. You are most welcome to
visit us at East Albany Church of
God. 216 Pine Bluff Road. Al
bany. Georgia. Drop by to see us
on the web at one of the follow
ing addresses:
www.eacog.home.mindspring,
com or www.forministry.com/
31705eacog.
RONALD E. PARISH
Pastor. East Albany
Church of God
The “Word” For The Week
By Dr. Dennis Prutow
Pleasing God
On the night of His birth, an
angel appeared to shepherds out
side Bethlehem to announce
Jesus' arrival. "Today in the city
of David there has been born for
you a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord” (Luke 2:11). The Savior
promised to Adam and Eve
(Genesis 3:15) and believed in
by Noah (Genesis 5:29),
Abraham (Genesis 12:3), David
(Psalm 32:1-2), and many oth
ers was now born in Bethlehem.
“And suddenly there appeared
with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God and
saying, ‘Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace
among men with whom He is
pleased’” (Luke 2:13-14). An
angelic choir gives praise to God
for the birth of the Savior. The
choir also brings a promise of
peace. It is peace among those
who please God.
How do we please God? The
Bible tells us forthrightly. “With
out faith it is impossible to please
Him” (Hebrews 11:6). We please
God through faith in the prom
ised Savior just as Adam, Eve,
Noah, Abraham, and David did.
God’s salvation is “not on the
basis of deeds which we have
done in righteousness, but ac
cording to His mercy” (Titus
3:5). "For by grace you have
been saved through faith”
(Ephesians 2:8). "Believe in the
Lord Jesus, and you will be
saved” (Acts 16:31). He is the
only “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah
9:6).
For a free audiotape on this
subject, call 1-800-777-0389; e-
mail free_tape@juno.com; or
visit www.sterlingpulpit.org
From The Bible
God will redeem
O clap your hands, all ye people;
shout unto God with the voice of
triumph. For the LORD most high
is terrible; he is a great King over
all the earth. He shall subdue the
people under us, and the nations
under our feet. He shall choose
our inheritance for us, the excel
lency of Jacob whom he loved.
God is gone up with a shout, the
LORD with the sound of a tram-
pet. Sing praises to God, sing
praises: sing praises unto our
King, sing praises. For God is the
King of all the earth: sing ye
praises with understanding. God
reigneth over the heathen: God
sitteth upon the throne of his holi
ness. The princes of the people
are gathered together, even the
people of the God of Abraham: for
the shields of the earth belong unto
God: he is greatly exalted.
Great is the LORD, and greatly
to be praised in the city of our
God, in the mountain of his holi
ness.
For this God is our God for ever
and ever: he will be our guide even
unto death.
By Jerry Kingery
Hear this, all ye people; give ear,
all ye inhabitants of the world:
Both low and high, rich and poor,
together. My mouth shall speak
of wisdom; and the meditation of
my heart shall be of understand
ing. I will incline mine ear to a
parable: I will open my dark say
ing upon the harp.
But God will redeem my soul
from the power of the grave: for
he shall receive me. Be not thou
afraid when one is made rich,
when the glory of his house is in
creased; For when he dieth he
shall carry nothing away: his glory
shall not descend after him.
Though while he lived he blessed
his soul: and men will praise thee,
when thou doest well to thyself.
He shall go to the generation of
his fathers; they shall never see
light. Man that is in honour, and
understandeth not, is like the
beasts that perish,
from Psalms 47 - 49
For a free Scripture packet,
please write From the Bible,
BIBLE FOUNDATION, PO Box
908, Newberg, Oregon 97132.
email: bf@bf.org
Attend The House of Worship of Your Choice This Sunday
"inuntu nhurrh of Christ Kinchafoonee Rantist Leesbura Church of God Leesburg First Bapti
Lee County Church Of Christ
Maurice Johnson, Jr. Minister
Bible Study 9:30 AM
Worship 10:30 AM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Mid-Week Bible Study 7:30 PM
Smithville Baptist
Lance Fendley, Pastor
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wed. Prayer Service. 7:00 PM
Leesburg Presbyterian
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Women of the Ch 3:30 PM
3rd Sun & 3rd Wed .. 6:30 PM
Union Wors. Service 7:30 PM
Every 6 weeks
Lords’s Supper 11:00 AM
Philema Road Baptist
Dan Harris, Pastor
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wed Bible Study 7:00 AM
Alpha Baptist
Rev. Joe Jenkins
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Discipleship Training 6:00 PM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wed. Prayer Service 7:30 PM
Antioch Baptist Church
Rev. Lem Wright
1st and 3rd Sunday
Sunday School 9:00 AM
4th Sunday
Worship Service 10:00 AM
Zion Hope Baptist
Rev. H. L. Holsey
Sunday School 10:30 AM
Sunday Worship 11:30 AM
Phillip Grove Baptist
Rev. Solomom Loud Jr.
Highway 195 Leesburg
Sunday School 10:30 AM
1st Sunday 12:00 PM
Mt. Pleasant Baptist
Pastor Levi Robinson
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Worship Service 11:15AM
Tuesday
Tuturial Service . 5:30-7:00pm
Prayer and Bible Study 7-8 pm
Kinchafoonee Baptist
Rev. Charles (Chuck) Smith
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Training Union 6:00 PM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wed. Services 7:30 PM
Smithville United Methodist
Pastor - Randy Carnley
Worship 10:00 AM
Sunday School 11:00 AM
Palmyra Baptist
J. D. Bolden
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship .... 12:00 PM
Bible Study (1st Sun) 5:00 PM
Eve. Wor. (1st Sun) ..7:00 PM
McAfee Grove
Missionary Baptist
Minister Robert Lewis Morgan
First & Third Sundays
Sunday School 10:30 AM
Morning worship 11:30 AM
Second & Fourth Sundays
Sunday School 10:00 AM
New Hope AME
Rev. Alfreda Williams
every 1st and third Sunday
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Sunday Worship 11:00 AM
Macadonia Baptist Church
Sunday School 10:30 AM
Wed. Bible Study 7:00 PM
First Sunday
Morning Worship.... 11:45 AM
Third Sunday
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Jordan Grove Baptist
Rev. R. O. Calhoun
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Worship Service 11:00 AM
Unity Church of Christianity
Rev. Joanna Gabriel
Dial-A-Prayer 435-7077
Corner of Ledo & Hugh Roads
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
First Baptist - Leesburg
Leesburg Church Of Christ
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 PM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wednesday Evening 7:30 PM
St. Stephen’s Episcopal
Father Ron Davidson
298 Leslie Hwy 759-1506
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Living Hope Fellowship
Four Square Gospel Church
Highway 19 S. Leesburg
1/2 mile north of 19 Bypass
Worship Service 10:00 AM
Evening Service 6:00 PM
Wednesday Evening 7:00 PM
Children Church during both Sunday
Services
New Piney Grove Baptist
Pastor Henry L. Holsey
Third Sunday Services
Sunday School 11:30 AM
Worship 12:30 PM
First Sunday Sen/ices
Sunday School 11:00 AM
Mt. Hope Baptist Church
Pastor: Rev. M. W. Willis
Services 1st Sunday
Sunday School 5:00 PM
Church 6:00 PM
Services 4th Sunday
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Church 11:00 AM
For any corrections or additions to the Church Page, Contact The Lee County Ledger at 759-2413
Leesburg Church of God
Rev. Sean Faircloth
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Morning Worship 10:40 AM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wed. Fam. Training 7:00 PM
Wooden Grove Baptist
1st & 3rd Sunday Services
Worship 11:00 AM
Weekly
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Tuesday Night
Bible Study 7:00 PM
Thundering Springs
Baptist Church
Sunday School 9.45 AM
Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Church Training 5:00 PM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wed. Prayer Services7:00 PM
Leesburg United
Methodist Church
Pastor Russ Elkins
Worship.... 8:45 and 11:00 AM
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Adult Choir 5:30 PM
Youth Fellowship 5:45 PM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wed. Supper/Bible Study 6:00
Green Grove Baptist
Smithville, GA
Rev. H. Waters
Sunday School 11:00 AM
Every First Sunday
Morning Worship 11:45 AM
Kingdom Vision Christian Center
Rev. Earl S. Harrison, Pastor
1027 N. Philema Road N.
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Sunday Worship 11:15AM
Wed. Bible Study 7:00 PM
Lutherian Church of Our Savior
Rev. Bill Behrend
101 Hickory Grove Road
Sunday School 9:30 AM
Worship 11:00 AM
The
Lee County
Ledger
Your Source of
Local News
759-2414
o&m
Member FDIC
located on Robert B. Lee
Drive in Leesburg - 759-2800
and 2609 Ledo Rd 430-8080
Member FDIC
The Future of
Banking is Here.
Clyde’s
Auto Part
Turner Field Industrial Park
1507 Rodgers Street
Albany, Georgia 31705
Clyde Massey
(912) 436-1502
We Buy Wrecked Cars
CraiegS£
Mathis
Attorney At Law
124 Fourth Street
759-2243
jHatljetos:
Funeral Home
Crematory/Memorials
Mike Mathews - Gary Mathews
3206 Gillionville Rd.
Albany, GA 31707
435-5657
Leesburg Cemetery
Jnmj/a£ut
Hughes
Hardware
1497 S. Hwy. 19
432-0037
Worrell Paint
and Body Shop
Would like to thank
you for the support
you have given us.
U.S. 19 -
South of Leesburg
439-1555
Jack Foi e
'XmfaM'Stem
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Crematory and Memorials
Crown Hill Cemetery
1503 Dawson Road • P.O. Box 92
Albany, Georgia 31702-0092
Phone: (912) 883-4152
“Sevice Since 1880”
BUMPER
*u
BUMPER
759-6561 759-6482
Walnut St., Leesburg
Leesburg First Baptist
Rev. Bobby Harrell
Sunday School I 8:15 AM
Worship I 9:30 AM
Sunday School II 9:30 AM
Worship II 11:00 AM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM
Wednesday
Church Supper 5:30 PM
AWANA 6:20 PM
Prayer Meeting 6:30 PM
Youth Meeting 7:00 PM
Sovereign Grace
Baptist Church
Steven Youngblood, Pastor
121 Creekside Dr. - Lees.
Morning Worship.... 10:30 AM
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
Wednesday Awana .. 6:30 PM
Amazing Grace
Baptist Church
Pastor, Dr. Ron Baxley
2217 Ledo Rd., Albany
Morning Worship
& Sunday School ... 10:45 AM
Evening Worship
& Youth Choir 6:00 PM
Wednesday 6:30 to
(Youth only) 8:00 PM
House Of God
Saints In Christ
Elder A.F. Caldwell, Pastor
Sunday School 10:30 AM
1st, 2nd, & 4th Sundays
Morning Worship.... 11:45 AM
2nd & 4th Sunday
Evening Service 6:30 PM
Wed. Bible Study 7:30 PM
Fri. Sharing Ser 7:30 PM
Piney Grove #3
Pastor W. G. Groover
Every Sunday
Sunday School 10:00 AM
2nd and 4th Sunday
Worship 11:00 Noon
Emmanuel Community
Baptist Church
Al Bryant, Pastor
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM
Every Wednesday
Bible Study 6:30 PM
Shady Grove
Baptist Church
Rev. Marcus Glass, Pastor
1st and 2nd Sunday
Worship Service 11:00 AM
Every Sunday
Sunday School 9:50 AM
Wed. Bible Study 7:00 PM
Fourth Sunday
Evening Service 6:00 PM
Liberty Primitive Baptist
Morning Worship.... 10:30 AM
2nd and 4th Sunday
Evening Worship 6:00 PM
IBANK
An affiliate of Synovus Financial Corn.
Member FD1C
430-5383
1531 U.S. 19 South
Leesburg
in front of Winn-Dixie