Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/767133
Oneofmymostsought after desires, when I preach the Word of God, is to bring people to a place where they recog- nize God's throne. I want every- one from ev- ery corner of the earth to see and know God as He is. When I preach about Jesus Christ I am preaching about my Sav- ior who is alive. He is the one that went to the cross to pay for the sins of men. After He made such a payment, He rose from the grave on the third day to eventually ascend back into heaven. He is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus is exalted, He reigns, and we worship Him because He alone is worthy. "All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" Col 1:16-17. It is sad to me, when peo- ple say 'No' to God, yet I see this happening all around me. Jesus, coming as a baby, does not take away from His deity. I appre- ciate December 25th, not because I believe it to be Jesus's birthday, but rather because it is a plat- form that I can use to tell the story of how God met sinners where they were. Jesus descended to us as Paul said in Philippi- ans 2:8. The ESV trans- lation says, "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." It was the 'King of kings' and the 'Lord of lords' com- ing to first lay His head in a manger because there was no room for Him at the inn. We find that as a theme in the Life of Jesus. He came to seek and to save that which was lost, He came to give His life a ransom for many, He came to His own and His own received Him not, yet Jesus manifested His love toward us by com- ing as a baby in spite of our sin. Even though the birth of God as man should have been met with a cel- ebration a million times more stunning than the Super Bowl, He was met with a manger. The birth of Jesus is one of the greatest expressions of God's mercy that this world has ever seen. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life". There is no greater trea- sure than Jesus, and there is no greater gift than the good news about what He did for 'whoever' would believe. The birth of Christ is proof that there is no sin too big, there is no hurt too deep, and there is no evil too dark. Romans 5:8 says, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." If Jesus, 2,000 years ago,would have come with fire and destroyed life as we know it that would have been just and right but He didn't. He came in humility, He came with open arms just as the father with the prodigal son did. Even though that foolish son abandoned his father and chased after his evil plea- sures. When the son came back to his father for mercy, his dad ran to him and greeted him with joy. This is Jesus: He came as a baby, lived without sin, endured the cross, and as God He rose from the grave. This Christmas season Jesus still says, "Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." On judgement day it will not be about how many presents you wrapped, how well you cooked the ham, or how cool were the pres- ents you opened. It will be about faith in Jesus, it will be about know- ing God, and obeying His gospel. Lets celebrate Christ for what He has accom- plished. Before we give or receive presents, let us lift up our praise to Him. Jesus will forever be the greatest gift ever given. Isaiah 7:14 says, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel." Immanuel means God with us. Je- sus is here. Today is the day of salvation. When I give my daughters their presents this year my joy will come when they open them. If I never share the gift with them what good is it? Let us not keep back the gospel from the world. JakeStephensis passionate about Jesus Christ, preaching the Bible and sharing God's truth. He serves and preaches at Gerber Bible Fellowship. Jake is married with two daughters. GODTALK God's mercy in a manger Jake Stephens ChristmasMassat Sacred Heart Church Saturday,Dec.24—5:15 p.m. in English, 7p.m. in Spanish; Midnight Mass in English with the Adult Choir Concert preceding Mass at 11:25p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25— 8a.m. in English, 10a.m. in English, noon in Spanish 515Main St., Red Bluff St. Peter's Episcopal Church Saturday, Dec. 24— 7:30 p.m. caroling, Christmas story, tree decorating and refreshments in parish hall Sunday, Dec. 25— 9:30a.m. Holy Eucharist followed by coffee hour 510Jefferson St., Red Bluff New Life Baptist Church Saturday, Dec. 24— 5p.m. candlelight service, celebra- tion of Jesus' birth through scripture, songs and a monologue drama. Sunday, Dec. 25— 5p.m. worship, no morning wor- ship, a finger food fellowship will follow the service New Life meets at the El Camino Methodist Church on 99W, Gerber WORSHIP Christmasservicesoffered The Associated Press The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins the night of Dec. 24 and lasts for eight days. If you're trav- eling or vacationing during the holiday, there may be a menorah lighting near you. Chabad-Lubavitch plans to hold public menorah light- ings and Hanukkah events in hundreds of cities and more than 90 countries. De- tails and listings are avail- able at http://www.Chabad. org/HanukkahEvents . Among noteworthy events in the U.S., there will be menorah lightings at NBA and NHL games, including the Brooklyn Nets, New York Islanders, Orlando Magic and Golden State Warriors. In New York City, a massive meno- rah will be lit nightly near the Plaza Hotel and the entrance to Central Park. Nightly lightings will also take place in San Francis- co's Union Square. In front of the White House, a menorah will be lit nightly. Miami's Gulfstream Park will host a menorah lighting Tuesday. And in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a Hanukkah celebration on Saturday night will include lining up hot air balloons in the shape of a menorah. There will be menorah lightings at ski resorts in Vail, Colorado, and Jack- son Hole, Wyoming, and a public menorah lighting on Main Street in Park City, Utah. Those heading to the Caribbean for the holi- day week will find menorah lightings in Cancun, Mex- ico, on the island of Aruba and in other destinations. Hanukkah celebrations will also be held in Revolu- tion Square in Moscow, at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and in Trafalgar Square in London, with many more in other world capitals. HOLIDAY Public Hanukkah menorah lightings in cities around the world RAFIQ MAQBOOL — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE Members of India's Jewish community pose for photographs a er representatives of Mumbai's Chabad- Lubavitch ignited a menorah erected at the Gateway of India landmark as part of the Hanukkah celebration on the eighth and final night of the Jewish community's festival, in Mumbai, India. TheConnection/ His Way Church ComeWorshipwithUs Tuesday & Saturday at 6pm WithPastorsJohnandChuck 446 Walnut Street Downtown Red Bluff (across from Post Office) www.hiswayonline.org www.theconnection@vpweb.com Tehama County Church Directory RedBluff.... ABUNDANTLIFEFELLOWSHIP 21080LutherRd.•528-2499 Pastor J.E. Heitman • WORSHIP Sunday 10:45 AM & 6 PM BRIDGEWAY COMMUNITY CHURCH 345 David Ave • 527-0543 Pastor Scott Camp • Sunday 11:00AM, Sunday School 9:30AM CALVARY CHAPEL 12375 Paskenta Rd. • 527-8219 Pastor Gilbert DeLao Jr. • WORSHIP • Sunday 9 AM & 11:00 AM CHURCH OF CHRIST 1605 Park Ave • 529-3063 • Evangelist Gary Den WORSHIP • Sun. 11AM & 5 PM • Bible Study • Sunday 10 AM & Wed 7 PM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Antelope 545 Berrendos • 529-2506 • Bishop Phillip Smith • Sunday 11 AM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Red Bluff 545 Berrendos • 527-7012 • Bishop Jim Wilhite • Sunday 9 AM CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS 857 Washington St., Open Daily 9-11am Pastors Brad & Susan Harms•WORSHIP•Sunday 2PM•Bible Study Thur 2-4pm COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 598 Round -Up Ave. 527-4203 Pastor Dr. Paul Wright • WORSHIP • Sunday 9 AM • PRAYER • 6 PM CORNERSTONE CHURCH OF GOD Hwy. 36, Jorgenson 527-9210 • Pastor Roy Duggins • WORSHIP • Sunday 10 AM & 5 PM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 501 Pine St. • 527-4361 Pastor Bruce Cloutier • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15 AM FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH Hickory & Madison • 527-4688 Pastor Daryl Jones • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30 AM FIRST CHURCH OF GOD Jackson & Luther • 527-5717 Pastor Sean Story • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15 AM FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Johnson & Hickory • 527-3361 Pastor Jesse Morris • WORSHIP • 10:30 AM FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH 585 Kimball Rd. • 527-5083 Don St. John • WORSHIP • Sunday 11 AM FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 525 David Ave. • 527-5754 Pastor Scott Gessford • WORSHIP • Sunday 11 AM FREEDOM CHURCH 601 Monroe St. • 355-2284 • Pastors Pete & Bev Williams • WORSHIP Sunday 10:30 AM • YOUTH Thurs. 7 PM GATEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH, IND. FUND. 12830 Glasgow Dr. 527-2964 • Pastor Jeff Eldred • WORSHIP • Sunday 11 AM & 6 PM HIGH POINT ASSEMBLY 625 Luther Rd. • 527-0445 Pastor David Blythe • WORSHIP • Sunday 10 AM LAKE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHURCH Lake Club • 347 6970 Jim Bredow, Pastor • WORSHIP • Sunday 8:30-10:15 AM NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH 1625 Johnson St. • 527-8134 SERVICE • 10 AM NUEVA VIDA 11841 Hyw 99W • Red Bluff • Spanish-speaking Pastor Freddie Villasenor • WORSHIP • Sunday 11 AM OPEN VISTAS AWARENESS CENTER 807 Lincoln St. • 529-9285 Rv. Tresha Wing • SERVICE • Sunday 10 AM OUT OF THE BOX MINISTRIES-COWBOY CHURCH 585-3070 22812 Antelope Blvd. –– Wednesday 7 PM –– Sunday 10 AM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Jefferson & Hickory St. • 527-0372 Rev. Beth Hoyt • WORSHIP 11:00AM • SUNDAY SCHOOl 9:30AM PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD 370 Kimball Rd. • 527-6346 Pastor Mike Cox • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM RED BLUFF COMMUNITY CHURCH 1920 Park St. Pastor Stan Kolbert • SERVICES • Sunday 9:30 AM • 282-2248 SABBATH COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN 705 So. Jackson St. • 529-1890 Pastor Ron Largent • WORSHIP • Saturday 10:45 AM SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH 515 Main St. • Father Sherwin Colaste MASS • Saturday 5:15 PM, Spanish 7 PM • Sun. 8 AM, 10 AM, Spanish 12 PM THE SALVATION ARMY 944 Walnut St. • 527-8530 Major Kit Wetter, Pastor • SERVICES • Sunday 10 AM & 11 AM SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRUCH 720 S. Jackson • 527-3733 Pastor Robert A. Clark • WORSHIP • Saturday 10:30 AM ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHU RCH Jefferson & Elm • 527-3414 Pastor Dallas D. Dubke • WORSHIP • Sunday 8:30 AM & 11 AM ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Jefferson & Elm • 527-5205 Rev. Maryly Adair • Sunday 9:30AM, Holy Eucharist Rite II SUNRISE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP GARBC Corner of Cedar & Jackson 529-6884 • Pastor Chris Hurton • WORSHIP • 10:50 AM • Bible Study 9:30 AM TEHAMA COUNTY'S MERCY PLACE FELLOWSHIP, bilingual 836 Washington St., Red Bluff • 2 PM Sundays • 262-9474 TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL 8529 Placer Rd., Redding 243-5726 • For service dates & times 529-9246 TRINITY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 20920 Hampton Rhodes Dr. 528-8668•Pastor Loren Browning • WORSHIP • Sun. 10:45 AM & 5 PM - Wed. 6 PM THE CONNECTIONS HIS WAY CHURCH 446 Walnut St. • 529-4256 Worship Tuesday & Saturday, 6PM • Pastors John & Chuck • www.hiswayonline.org THE ROCK CHURCH OF RED BLUFF 285 Gilmore Road • 527-7234 Pastor Vik Hylen•WORSHIP • Sun. 10 AM & 6:30 PM - Tues. 7:3 0PM - Men's Prayer Sat. 9 AM VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 738 Walnut St. • 527-2449 Pastor Luke Geraty • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM WALNUT GROVE CHRISTIAN CENTER RHEMA Bible Church • 527-9065 435 Round Up Ave.• Pastor Michael Ragsdale • WORSHIP • Sun. 10:30 AM ZION CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES 836 Washington St. 529-1836 • Pastor Joshua John McKim • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15 AM Bowman... COMMUNITY CHURCH Bowman Rd. & Landes • 347-6130 Pastor Mark Lugg • WORSHIP • Sunday 10 AM Capay... COMMUNITY FRIENDS CHURCH • 4th & Moller Ave. • 865-2806 Pastor Toni Brown • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:30 AM Manton... MANTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Forward Rd. • 474-5156 Pastor Michael Stiener•WORSHIP•Sunday School 9:30 Sun. 10:45 Corning... BELIEVERS CHURCH OF GOD 783 Solano St. • 824-6502 Pastor Dan Steigmn • WORSHIP • Sunday 10 AM CHURCH OF CHRIST 1418 South St. • 824-3603 WORSHIP • Sunday • 10:30 AM CHURCH OF CHRIST 1440 Yolo St. • 824-4333 David King, Minister • WORSHIP • Sunday 11 AM & 6 PM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Marguerite & Blackburn • Bishop Scott Davis • WORSHIP • Sunday 10 AM CORNING FOURSQUARE 404 5 th St. • 824-5776 • Sr. Pastor John Gehrung WORSHIP • Sunday: adults 9:15, 10:30 AM • Tues.10AM prayer meeting FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH Marin & Pear Sts. • 824-9989 Rev. Russ Ziegler • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:45 AM & 6 PM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 506 Colusa St. • 824-3490 Pastor Chris Fissori • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15 AM • Sunday School 9 AM FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 1421 Marin St. • 824-5739 WORSHIP • Sunday 11 AM FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 824-5535 • 471 Marguerite Pastor Julie Horne • WORSHIP • Sunday 11 AM HARVEST CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH OF GOD 1006 6th St. 824-2091 • Pastor Michael Sharp • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:00AM IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH 824-5879 814 Solano St. • Father Cormac Lacre • MASS • Sun. 10AM, Spanish 12PM INDEPENDENT LUTHERAN CHURCH OF CORNING Houghton Ave. between Solano and Yolo Worship: Sunday 11 AM• Pastor Dennis Wyman • 526-4736 MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH 341 Solano St. • 824-5530 Pastor Dallas D. Dubke • WORSHIP • Sunday 9 AM NEIGHBORHOOD FULL GOSPEL CHURCH 901 South St. • 824-2323 Pastor Ken Killinger • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:50 AM & 6 PM NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY CHURCH 824-3426 • Rev. Ezy Ulibarri WORSHIP • Sunday 10 AM • Sunday School 9 AM OLIVE BRANCH BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP 565 1st St. • 824-3661 • SERVICE • Sunday 10:30 AM SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH West & Butte • 824-2153 Pastor Robert A. Clark • WORSHIP • Saturday 11 AM SONLIGHT WORSHIP CENTER 1520 East St. • 824-0175 Pastor Lenny Duval • WORHSHIP • Sunday 10:30 AM & Wed. 6:30 PM ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 820 Marin St. • 680-0353 Rev. Diana Lueckert • CHURCH • Sunday 10 AM Cottonwood... FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2400 Rhonda Rd. Rev. Paul Shrum • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30 AM & 6 PM Dairyville... CONE COMMUNITY METHODIST CHURCH 11220 Hwy. 99E • 527-2329 Pastor Scott Gessford • WORSHIP • Sun. 9 AM El Camino... COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Hwy. 99W • 385-2314 Pastor Scott Gessford • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:30 AM NEW LIFE BAPTIST CHURCH 8345 SR 99W, El Camino • 200-4112 Pastor John Bohrer • Sunday School • 9:30 AM • WORSHIP • 11 AM SHADY REST FULL GOSPEL CHURCH 7211 Hwy. 99W 385-2155 • Pastor Andrew Dalson • WORSHIP • Saturday 7 PM Gerber... BAHA'I FAITH OF TEHAMA COUNTY 385-1091 Prayer meetings Fridays 7:30 PM Brickyard Creek Apartments FAITH HOPE LOVE MINISTRIES 21941 Chard Ave. 385-1431 • Pastor Ina Driggers • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30 AM GERBER BIBLE FELLOWSHIP 301 Samson @ Ventura 385-1718 • WORSHIP • Sunday 10 AM Los Molinos.... COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Sherwood & Josephine 384-2656 • Pastor Ray Watkins • WORSHIP 11AM MILL CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH HWY 99E and Taft St., 384-1564 Pastor Carl DeBiase • WORSHIP • Sunday 11 AM & 6 PM SPIRIT OF LIFE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD 25235 Orange St., 310-4990 Rev. Kenneth & Pamela Auld • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30 AM & 6 PM Paskenta... PASKENTA FLOURNOY BIBLE CHURCH 13140 Round Valley Rd. Sunday 10:30 AM • 833-0557 Platina... ST. HERMAN OF ALASKA MONASTERY Begum Gorge Rd. Abbot Herman • LITURGY • Sunday 8:30 AM Rancho Tehama... COMMUNITY CHURCH (Non-Den.) • 585-2526 Pastor Stephen W. May • WORSHIP • Sunday 11 AM CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRIES Stage Coach Rd. • 585-2961 Pastor John and Sandra Edmiston • SERVICES • Sun. 10:30AM, Wed. 6 PM Tehama... ASSEMBLY OF GOD Third St. • 384-2603 Pastor Walter Bright • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30 AM ST. STANISLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH • 824-5879 Corner of 4th & D • MASS • Sunday 8 AM - Bilingual Vina... VINA COMMUNITY CHURCH 5th & D Street • 839-2340 WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30 AM & 6 PM HOYT-COLE CHAPEL OF THE FLOWERS 816WalnutSt.-RedBluff FD 652 Thisdirectorysponsoredby: TEHAMA ESTATES A Retirement Community for the Active Senior Citizens 750 David Ave. - Red Bluff - 527-9193 REDBLUFF DODGE, JEEP, CHRYSLER, RAM Urgesyoutoworshipregularlyatthechurchofyourchoice 545Adobe Rd., Red Bluff - 366-3166 FAITH » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, December 24, 2016 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A8