Opening Prayer: Almighty God, You have made it possible for me to be Your child, please help me to take my place as a stake holder in Your Kingdom, so that I may work toward Your ends, not my own. Amen.

Read: Galatians 3:1-18
Reflect: How had the Galatians received the Spirit? What role does the Law play in making a person righteous? What role does faith play in making a person righteous?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “This Is My Father’s World”
This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world.
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas-
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world.
The birds their carols raise.
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world.
He shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world.
O let me never forget
That through the wrong seems oft’ so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world.
The battle is not done;
Jesus, who died, shall be satisfied,
And earth and heaven be one.

Closing Prayer: Now may you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, feeding on His Word, breathing in His Spirit, walking in His light, resting on His promises.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, You have made it possible for me to be Your child, please help me to take my place as a stake holder in Your Kingdom, so that I may work toward Your ends, not my own. Amen.

Read: Psalm 148
Reflect: Take time today to consider the reasons you have to praise God. Perhaps you would like to add a few lines of your own to this Psalm.

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “This Is My Father’s World”
This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world.
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas-
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world.
The birds their carols raise.
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world.
He shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world.
O let me never forget
That through the wrong seems oft’ so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world.
The battle is not done;
Jesus, who died, shall be satisfied,
And earth and heaven be one.

Closing Prayer: Now may you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, feeding on His Word, breathing in His Spirit, walking in His light, resting on His promises.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, You have made it possible for me to be Your child, please help me to take my place as a stake holder in Your Kingdom, so that I may work toward Your ends, not my own. Amen.

Read: Galatians 2:15-21
Reflect: What do you think it means to be crucified with Christ? Why does Paul make the distinction between living under the Law, and being crucified with Christ? What can you do to live like Paul, crucified with Christ, and not under a law?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “This Is My Father’s World”
This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world.
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas-
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world.
The birds their carols raise.
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world.
He shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world.
O let me never forget
That through the wrong seems oft’ so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world.
The battle is not done;
Jesus, who died, shall be satisfied,
And earth and heaven be one.

Closing Prayer: Now may you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, feeding on His Word, breathing in His Spirit, walking in His light, resting on His promises.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, you deserve all the glory for this Christmas season. Thank you for sending your son, and setting your plan in motion, so I can be in your presence forever. Amen.

Read: Mark 1:1-15
Reflect: Why do you think Mark chooses to leave out the events of Jesus’ birth? Is there anything in Mark’s first chapter that tells us about Christmas? How does beginning Jesus’ story with his baptism effect our understanding of Jesus?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”
Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of light;
Angels lifting praise before You
Sing throughout this holy night.
In a manger lies a Baby-
Child of Mary, Son of God.
Voices joined in joyful chorus
Praise You for Your gift of love.

All Your works declare Your glory;
All creation joins to sing.
Praise resounds as earth rejoices
In the birth of Christ, the King.
Shepherds kneel before the Infant.
Trumpets sound and anthems raise
As with joy our hearts are lifted,
Joined in wonder, love, and praise.

Closing Prayer: Go with me now God, and help me reflect Your love, and the confidence You have in Your Son to the world around me. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, you deserve all the glory for this Christmas season. Thank you for sending your son, and setting your plan in motion, so I can be in your presence forever. Amen.

Read: Luke 2:1-20
Reflect: Why do you think Jesus had to be laid in a manger, why didn’t God make room for Mary and Joseph somewhere else? Why do you think the angels came to shepherds, instead of more important people in that culture? How do the “lowly” elements of Jesus’ birth shape our understanding of Jesus?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”
Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of light;
Angels lifting praise before You
Sing throughout this holy night.
In a manger lies a Baby-
Child of Mary, Son of God.
Voices joined in joyful chorus
Praise You for Your gift of love.

All Your works declare Your glory;
All creation joins to sing.
Praise resounds as earth rejoices
In the birth of Christ, the King.
Shepherds kneel before the Infant.
Trumpets sound and anthems raise
As with joy our hearts are lifted,
Joined in wonder, love, and praise.

Closing Prayer: Go with me now God, and help me reflect Your love, and the confidence You have in Your Son to the world around me. Amen.