North Platte Berean Church
Troubling Encounter
Have you heard the Christmas story so many times it almost feels…ho-hum? One more bit of white noise amid the rush-rush holiday season? But we’re talking about God coming *in the flesh*! Let’s step aside from the hubbub and look at some of the first people to encounter the Christ child – how did they react? And what about us? What’s our reaction as we encounter Him this Christmas? Casual or indifferent, maybe even hostile? Or joyful, amazed, delighted?
Locations & Times
North Platte Berean Church
202 W 8th St, North Platte, NE 69101, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:15 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
Sunday 6:00 PM
ConnectCard
We’d love to connect and be a spiritual resource for you – please fill out a ConnectCard (in seat pocket or npberean.org/cc). If you’re new, bring your ConnectCard to the information center for a welcome gift.
https://npberean.org/ccMore Details
NEW HERE?
• Digital bulletin: Prefer a PDF version of the bulletin? Visit npberean.org/sundayprint.
• Sunday large gatherings: 8, 9:15, & 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; livestream at facebook.com/npberean at 9:15 a.m. or npberean.org/live anytime.
• Need a Bible? Available free at information center.
• Sound levels: Assisted listening devices and earplugs available at sound booth in back of auditorium.
• Office hours: Mon.-Thu. 9-4 (closed Tue. 1:30-2:30 for staff meeting).
• Find out more: Visit npberean.org, email npberean@npberean.org, or call 308-532-7448.
FOR FAMILIES
• Mother's Room: A private place to care for your baby and still connect to the gathering via livestream – follow signs north of auditorium.
• Kids Connect (infant-grade 5): Available at 9:15 and 11 a.m. – check-in east of Commons or upstairs from foyer. (No 252 today, but First Look will meet.) Kids also welcome in large gatherings. At-home resources: npberean.org/kids-connect-at-home.
• Sola (grades 6-12): Main gatherings Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 p.m. – meet in 252 room/The Commons. Middle school also meets today at 11 a.m. in the Upper Rooms.
• Digital bulletin: Prefer a PDF version of the bulletin? Visit npberean.org/sundayprint.
• Sunday large gatherings: 8, 9:15, & 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; livestream at facebook.com/npberean at 9:15 a.m. or npberean.org/live anytime.
• Need a Bible? Available free at information center.
• Sound levels: Assisted listening devices and earplugs available at sound booth in back of auditorium.
• Office hours: Mon.-Thu. 9-4 (closed Tue. 1:30-2:30 for staff meeting).
• Find out more: Visit npberean.org, email npberean@npberean.org, or call 308-532-7448.
FOR FAMILIES
• Mother's Room: A private place to care for your baby and still connect to the gathering via livestream – follow signs north of auditorium.
• Kids Connect (infant-grade 5): Available at 9:15 and 11 a.m. – check-in east of Commons or upstairs from foyer. (No 252 today, but First Look will meet.) Kids also welcome in large gatherings. At-home resources: npberean.org/kids-connect-at-home.
• Sola (grades 6-12): Main gatherings Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 p.m. – meet in 252 room/The Commons. Middle school also meets today at 11 a.m. in the Upper Rooms.
Giving
• On Sunday: use wooden boxes at back of auditorium
• Online: npberean.org/give
• Text: text any amount to 84321
• Mail: 202 W. 8th St., North Platte, NE 69101
• Online: npberean.org/give
• Text: text any amount to 84321
• Mail: 202 W. 8th St., North Platte, NE 69101
What is Advent?
Here's a link to a summary/explanation that may be useful:
https://www.christianity.com/christian-life/christmas/what-is-advent.htmlThis Week's Sermon: Troubling Encounter
What's wrong with the world?
See G.K. Chesterton's response:
• https://www.chesterton.org/wrong-with-world/
• https://dbts.edu/2019/03/18/the-real-story-of-chestertons-answer-to-what-is-wrong-with-the-world/
• Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God (2008), p. 46
See G.K. Chesterton's response:
• https://www.chesterton.org/wrong-with-world/
• https://dbts.edu/2019/03/18/the-real-story-of-chestertons-answer-to-what-is-wrong-with-the-world/
• Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God (2008), p. 46
Baptism – Fri. 12/24, 3 p.m.: Baptism is a public witness of an internal reality – that the person has passed from death to life by trusting in Jesus alone for salvation. Christmas Eve we’re baptizing:
• Jamey Swanson – by Rachel Swanson (wife) and George Jenkins (friend).
• Jamey Swanson – by Rachel Swanson (wife) and George Jenkins (friend).
Talk It Over
During Christmas and New Year's, we're encouraging Grow Groups to take a break and enjoy the holidays. During the break, consider using the "Swedish Method" to engage with the key Bible passage(s) from the sermon:
💡 What did you notice from the passage? What stood out to you while reading or listening to it?
? What questions do you have from the passage? Was there anything you did not understand? Was there something you would like to ask the writer or the Lord from the passage?
→ Where can we take what was said and apply it to our life?
During Christmas and New Year's, we're encouraging Grow Groups to take a break and enjoy the holidays. During the break, consider using the "Swedish Method" to engage with the key Bible passage(s) from the sermon:
💡 What did you notice from the passage? What stood out to you while reading or listening to it?
? What questions do you have from the passage? Was there anything you did not understand? Was there something you would like to ask the writer or the Lord from the passage?
→ Where can we take what was said and apply it to our life?
Next Week's Sermon
You ever have that moment where you just had a huge event or an important day, and after it's over you think to yourself, "Now what?" In fact, for many of us, Christmas can feel that way. Join us as we look at "what's next" – how the story of what Jesus Christ did for us continues to impact our lives today.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+2%3A11-15&version=ESV