Why He Came

Last night Carolyn and I took a few extra detours on our way home in order to admire the decorative lighting displays on the homes in Sitka. No one visiting our community could help but notice that something is different about December. This month at Grace Harbor, we have been using creative means to direct your minds toward the central message of Christmas. Whether it is a poetic drama, a service with group participation in placing ornaments on a tree, or a wonderful dinner shared together, we have tried to direct your minds to the person of Christ and the special mission that he came to earth to fulfill. No one should miss out on this.

Thinking of the people who miss out on Christmas, pastor and author John MacArthur wrote, "There may in fact be more people in our nation who ignore Christ because they don’t realize how sinful they are than there are people who reject him because they are wantonly evil and hate him. Everywhere you look you can see indifferent people who don’t care about the Savior because they don’t understand their need for salvation. They don’t openly oppose Him; they just ignore Him. They don’t care about the remedy because they don’t believe they have the disease. Such people miss Christmas."

God sent His son into the world to save sinners. (John 3:17; 1 Timothy 1:15) One phrase we hear used to express this mission is "born to die." It's a hard thought to process while holding a little baby, yet your whole eternal destiny hinges on what you have done with the baby in the manger. This is the basis for my message this weekend, "The Reason Jesus Came"

Pastor Paul A. McArthur

Hebrews 10:5-7

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

but a body you prepared for me;

with burnt offerings and sin offerings

you were not pleased.

Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—

I have come to do your will, O God.’ â€

Saturday,  Dec. 20

7:00 PM - The Harbor Service

· Songs of Praise and Worship

· Message from Hebrews 10:5-7 - "The Reason Jesus Came"

Sunday,  Dec. 21

9:30 AM –  Adult Sunday School Class - led by Eric Holmgren

10:00 AM – Greeting and Fellowship Time

10:30 AM – Sunday School

10:30 AM – Worship Service

· Songs of Praise and Worship

· Message from Hebrews 10:5-7 - "The Reason Jesus Came"

5:00 PM – Dress rehearsal at the church for everyone who will be participating in the Christmas Eve Service

Wednesday,  July 24

5:00 PM - Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

The service will include vocal and instrumental music and the singing of the traditional Christmas hymns. Pastor Paul McArthur will present the message from Micah 5:2-5 entitled, “From Small Town to Savior of the Worldâ€.

Please continue in prayer for a clear communication of the gospel in our services this weekend  week and at our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. We have a great opportunity to speak God's words of hope and life into a world that seems to be moving into deeper darkness and despair. Pray for opportunities to invite your unsaved or unchurched friends to come with you, and then prepare to participate in God’s redemptive purpose central to the Christmas message.

Looking Ahead

· Dec. 31, 6 PM - Church leadership dinner with a white elephant gift exchange and prayer time for Pastors, Elders, Deacons with their wives at the McArthurs' home. Drinks, rolls, & dessert will be provided. Each couple should bring a main dish or side dishes. Also bring one white elephant gift for each person attending. Please RSVP if you can make it.

· "24 Hours of Prayer" - Begins at midnight Jan.1. The signup sheet with the first day of the year broken down into half hour increments is on the bulletin board next to the office door in the entry area of the church.

Missions Focus this weel

· Catherine Watson, serving in Turkey in association with the mission organization Christar

Grace Harbor

1904 Halibut Point Road

Sitka, Alaska  99835-9605

Office Phone   907-747-5706

Office Fax       907-747-8572

http://graceharborsitka.com