MORE GRACE BRINGS MORE JOY
“…salt without prescribing how much…” Ezra 7:22
Salt was used in every offering made by fire unto the Lord, and from its preserving and purifying properties it was the grateful emblem of divine grace in the soul. It is worthy of our attentive regard that, when Artaxerxes gave salt to Ezra the priest, he set no limit to the quantity, and we may be quite certain that when the King of kings distributes grace among his royal priesthood, the supply is not cut short by him. Often are we straitened in ourselves, but never in the Lord. He who chooses to gather much manna will find that he may have as much as he desires. There is no such famine in Jerusalem that the citizens should eat their bread by weight and drink their water by measure. Some things in the economy of grace are measured; for instance our vinegar and gall are given us with such exactness that we never have a single drop too much, but of the salt of grace no stint is made, “Ask what thou wilt and it shall be given unto thee.” Parents need to lock up the fruit cupboard, and the sweet jars, but there is no need to keep the salt-box under lock and key, for few children will eat too greedily from that. A man may have too much money, or too much honour, but he cannot have too much grace. When Jeshurun waxed fat in the flesh, he kicked against God, but there is no fear of a man’s becoming too full of grace: a plethora of grace is impossible. More wealth brings more care, but more grace brings more joy. Increased wisdom is increased sorrow, but abundance of the Spirit is fulness of joy. Believer, go to the throne for a large supply of heavenly salt. It will season thine afflictions, which are unsavoury without salt; it will preserve thy heart which corrupts if salt be absent, and it will kill thy sins even as salt kills reptiles. Thou needest much; seek much, and have much. – C.H. Spurgeon
The Lord's Day Services
Sunday, December 17th
10:00a.m. Sunday School for all ages.
11:00a.m. Morning Service – Dr. Larry Saunders
2:00p.m. Christmas Outreach
6:00p.m. Pre-Service Prayer Time
6:30p.m. Evening Service – Sunday school & Good News Bible Club Christmas Program
Fellowship & Refreshments following the service.
Weekly Announcements
Wednesday, December 20th
7:25p.m. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting
Advance Announcements
Sunday, December 24th
10:00a.m. NO Sunday school today
11:00a.m. Morning Service – Dr. Larry Saunders
12:30p.m. ‘International Lunch’
2:30p.m. Afternoon Service – Christmas Praise Service
No meetings during the week of December 25th – 29th
DEEPEST SYMPATHY
We would like to express our deepest sympathy to Karen Chandler and family on the passing of her brother Raymond, who went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 12th. We pray that they will know the comfort of the Lord at this very sad time.
THE MESSIAH
Please pick up your tickets today from Ruth Slade. The bus will be leaving the church at 6:15p.m on the night of Tuesday, December 19th.
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
Please note there will be no Sunday school on the December 24th & 31st to give the teachers a well-earned rest.
CHRISTMAS OUTREACH
Each Lord’s day in December there will be a Gospel outreach with caroling and tract distribution from 2-4 pm. Everyone is invited to stay for as long or as little time that you are able. The Jew family has kindly offered to host lunch each of those days. Please pray and participate in getting the Word of God into the hands of our neighbours.
CHRISTMAS CARD APPEAL
Each year, instead of exchanging Christmas cards among the congregation, we donate those funds to a worthy cause. This year we are supporting the Good News Bible Club. If you would like to help with this special offering, please mark you offering envelope, “GNBC”. Thank you!
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
Everyone is invited to a special ‘International Lunch’ following the morning service on December 24th. Families are asked to bring a hot dish and salad or dessert. After lunch, we will have a time of Carol singing and Scripture reading. There will be a sign-up sheet so that we can get an idea of how many tables are required. There will be NO evening meeting that day.
BAPTISMAL SERVICE
We are planning to have a baptismal service at the end of January. If you have come to Christ in salvation and desire to be baptized, please speak to Dr. Saunders.
