Scandalous Grace to Scandalous Men

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"For unto you is born this day in the city of David
a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:11

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​In recent years flash mobs have become a thing.  In an unlikely place, such as a mall or random street corner, someone starts to sing or dance.  In a matter of minutes, mobs of people join in and thrill the onlookers with the random acts of fine arts.

The Bible tells us of a similar experience that occured in the meadows outlining Bethlehem 200 years ago.  A flash mob of angels sprung up out of nowhere to give a bunch of measly shepherds a rich taste of heaven's aesthetics.

The first notes to ring out were simple and pointed, "For unto you is born this day...a Savior." 

Just as stunning are the designated recipients of this great message.  The angelic announcement did not come to the religious elite or the political movers and shakers.  To the contrary, the profound declaration was given to the lowest and meanest of society.

We romanticize the ancient shepherds today.  Christmas cards and nativity scenes depict them as noble gents.  But this couldn't be further from the truth. 

Shepherds were a despicable bunch.  They were renown liars and cheats.  So notorious were they for their schemes that their testimony would not be accepted in a court of law.

Add to their crooked ways the fact that they were always considered "unclean."  In the fields it was virtually impossible to keep ceremonially clean (but one wonders if such a shady bunch really cared about the law or its cleanliness anyway).

Thus we must grasp the significance of this heaven sent revelation: to you a Savior is born.

Oddly enough, these double dealing scoundrels were the ones God chose to be the first to attest to the Messiah's coming.  

Is that not God's thing though:   He offers salvation to the chief of sinners; then He turns these untrustworthy crooks into His witnesses.

Let it be remembered this Christmas season that God's grace is downright scandalous.  He invites the unworthy and the incorrigible into His kingdom.  He freely forgives the liar and the hypocrite.  He pardons the sin and gladly transforms the useless into His sacred tools of good.

Here at the end of 2019 the Lord has blessed us with the addition of some wonderful new families. We are particularly delighted to have the Keener family enter into membership with us!

It was a joy to witness Josiah's public profession of faith and baptism. May God grant him to grow in grace all his days! 

New Year's Eve
Join us as we ring in the new year in good old Hopewell style!  Feel free to come or go whenever you want.  We'll hang out and fellowship, and have a short time of prayer to inaugurate the new year.

Schedule:

• 3pm - Sledding (pending snow).  Meet at the Timmons' house.  We'll return to chateau Timmons after we are done.
  
• 6pm - Pizza & Fun.  Meet at Grace Church (1144 W Main St, Ashland).   
  

Food:  Pizza, drinks, and place settings are provided by the church.  Please bring a side and/or dessert to share.

Fun:  We have a gym and a room for 'less rowdy' fellowship.  Please bring your board games, frisbees, balls, and whatever fun activities you'd like to share.

Be sure to invite your friends and RSVP to Kim!