New Springs News

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Read more of December 24 Newsletter here. New Springs Community Weekly Newsletter, December 24, 2015   From Pastor Dave Dear Friends,  Tonight is a big night for New Springs Community.   Here's a funny story. When I was interviewed recently for an article about the birth of our congregation, I mentioned that Christmas Eve would be our grand opening. The reporter asked, more than once, "So, on Christmas Eve you'll be talking about the new church?" As I thought about it after we spoke, I think she probably had an image of the grand opening of a business. You know, a ribbon cutting, and maybe some appetizers, special deals and coupons, balloons, and so on. That's the power of images and memory in our minds, and I probably could have done a better job of explaining.  But I did get one thing right in response to the question. I said, "No, we're going to be focusing on Jesus. Sure, we'll celebrate our grand opening and mention it, but Jesus is the main thing."  That's not a bad thing for all of us to remember.  Tonight, and hopefully every day, we celebrate the complete and total entry of God into our humanity. The Good News (Gospel) that God has made a way where there is no way. The good news that we who were God's enemies are now God's friends. The good news that we, who are not worthy of God's love, have received God's love. The Good News that God, through Christ, looks on us as God's children.  It would be easy, at least for me in my brokenness, to forget. Frankly, I do more than forget. I make it about me, not Jesus. If I can just be clever enough, winsome enough, funny enough, and profound enough, certainly people will come. By extension, it would be easy for a congregation to follow my foolish leadership in such things. If we can just do the right advertising, have the right music, attain the right level of performance...and on and on and on.  Tonight is a big night, but we only have one responsibility to fulfill. One task. Our goal tonight, and always, is to bring glory to God, exalting Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the one before whom every knee will bow, and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Come to the manger tonight. Not to celebrate the birth of a new church, but to celebrate and honor the King of Kings, who in gracious mercy has given us this birth, spiritual rebirth, a mission to share, and a great and lasting hope.  I can't wait for tonight to come!   In Christ's Love,  Pastor Dave