Grace Church
#4 - A Christmas Story
Using Christmas Classics to learn and share Biblical Truth
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Our December series is entitled Christmas Classics and is developed around several well-known Christmas movies.
So far this month we've looked at Elf, The Polar Express, and Miracle on 34th Street. Several of these are great allegories of the Christian faith and can be used to start meaningful conversations about life.
So far this month we've looked at Elf, The Polar Express, and Miracle on 34th Street. Several of these are great allegories of the Christian faith and can be used to start meaningful conversations about life.
Today we're looking at the movie, A Christmas Story.
The movie was produced 40 years ago and is based on several of Jean Shepherd's writings.
It's a movie set in the 1940's in Cleveland, Ohio that highlights an old style, traditional family Christmas.
The movie was produced 40 years ago and is based on several of Jean Shepherd's writings.
It's a movie set in the 1940's in Cleveland, Ohio that highlights an old style, traditional family Christmas.
Like most movies there are some good parts but also some questionable parts that should make us pause and think.
The plot is pretty simple:
A grade school boy, by the name of Ralphie, is convinced that if he gets a specific gift, he will be totally and completely satisfied. He daydreams, dreams, and schemes throughout the movie about this gift, but everyone turns him down because..."You'll shoot your eye out!"
The plot is pretty simple:
A grade school boy, by the name of Ralphie, is convinced that if he gets a specific gift, he will be totally and completely satisfied. He daydreams, dreams, and schemes throughout the movie about this gift, but everyone turns him down because..."You'll shoot your eye out!"
As far as themes and topics go in the movie, there are many that can be used as a launching pad for deeper discussion and serve as starting points for spiritual conversation.
Here are a few:
· The way we treat friends and those around us.
· How to respond to people who are bullies.
· The reality of struggles in our relationships and families.
· How to handle disappointments and hurt feelings in life.
· The trials of transitioning out of childhood and into adolescence.
· How to persist in our dreams even when they seem to be sliding away. . The joy that comes when we celebrate together with others.
All of these can be talked about in a spiritual or secular manner.
Here are a few:
· The way we treat friends and those around us.
· How to respond to people who are bullies.
· The reality of struggles in our relationships and families.
· How to handle disappointments and hurt feelings in life.
· The trials of transitioning out of childhood and into adolescence.
· How to persist in our dreams even when they seem to be sliding away. . The joy that comes when we celebrate together with others.
All of these can be talked about in a spiritual or secular manner.
This morning there is one theme that we should think about which is woven throughout the movie: Ralphie is obsessed with getting what he wants.
All of us have been like this in some way. We believe if we just get IT, then we will be satisfied. The problem is that what we want is of this world.
Christmas is about God giving us what we truly need, not just what we want!
All of us have been like this in some way. We believe if we just get IT, then we will be satisfied. The problem is that what we want is of this world.
Christmas is about God giving us what we truly need, not just what we want!
The trees on our stage tie in to the movies we're talking about this month:
1st week, ELF: The first tree is nothing but lights, an ELF hat, and the shape of a tree – but lacks substance. It displays the emptiness of a secular Christmas, void of JESUS.
2nd week, The Polar Express: The second tree is speaking of Belief and how it is critical to understanding the message of a Biblical Christmas and how it brings salvation and meaning to life.
3rd week, Miracle on 34th Street: Our third tree is red, with a Santa hat, and boots. A secular holiday with Santa as the key figure and identity as the main idea.
4th week, A Christmas Story: an old fashioned tree that captures the setting of our movie today. It is void of materialistic gifts because our focus should primarily be on God's gift that came many years ago. Without Jesus there is no Christmas!
1st week, ELF: The first tree is nothing but lights, an ELF hat, and the shape of a tree – but lacks substance. It displays the emptiness of a secular Christmas, void of JESUS.
2nd week, The Polar Express: The second tree is speaking of Belief and how it is critical to understanding the message of a Biblical Christmas and how it brings salvation and meaning to life.
3rd week, Miracle on 34th Street: Our third tree is red, with a Santa hat, and boots. A secular holiday with Santa as the key figure and identity as the main idea.
4th week, A Christmas Story: an old fashioned tree that captures the setting of our movie today. It is void of materialistic gifts because our focus should primarily be on God's gift that came many years ago. Without Jesus there is no Christmas!
This morning we'll look at two Scripture passages that teach the true meaning of Christmas.
1 John 4:9-10
John 3:16
From these passages we can learn some truths that have life changing potential.
1 John 4:9-10
John 3:16
From these passages we can learn some truths that have life changing potential.
1. God KNOWS OUR GREATEST NEED.
2. God IS ANGRY AGAINST OUR SINS.
3. God LOVES US.
4. God DEMONSTRATED WHAT REAL LOVE IS.
5. God HAS PROVIDED A GIFT THAT TRULY LASTS AND MEETS OUR GREATEST NEED.
6. God HAS GIVEN US A CHOICE TO MAKE.
Application:
1. READ at least one of the following Scripture passages dealing with the birth of Jesus.
Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7
Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12; 2:13-23
Luke 2:1-7, 8-20
John 3:16-18
1 John 4:9-10
1. READ at least one of the following Scripture passages dealing with the birth of Jesus.
Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7
Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12; 2:13-23
Luke 2:1-7, 8-20
John 3:16-18
1 John 4:9-10
2. DISCUSS the meaning of Jesus' birth.
Galatians 1:1-4
Galatians 1:1-4
3. COMMUNICATE the true story of Christmas - God's and yours.
4. DEMONSTRATE affection and appreciation for the people God has gifted to us.
5. PRAY for those who truly need Jesus as the Lord of their life.
6. MAKE a list of God's blessings for your life and family and thank Him.
7. THINK and TALK about the themes and topics of the holiday media we watch.
A Christmas Story Official Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfjEZ88NHBwWebsite
https://gc3.org/Giving Link
https://gc3.org/giving/Breeze Church Management
At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management. Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account.
Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.org/login/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://gc3.org/cjs/Bible Reading Plan for December
Join the Advent Reflections Bible reading for December at the link below!
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22462?fbclid=IwAR0UN2ZSaFzwhXUmunzZqWlevnZEpwhD7vvyMyf01pk3C-P-ZhFpuo5zuO8The Greenhouse Project
https://gc3.org/tgp/Lisa's Blog - Worship Moments
https://gc3.org/worship-moments/January/February Grace U Classes
Classes being offered this term are: Four Seasons of Marriage on Sundays 8:45 am begins January 7th. Freed-Up Financial Living on Sundays 9:00 am begins January 7th. Here's Grace on Mondays 6:30 pm begins January 22nd. Jesus on Mondays 6:30 pm begins January 8th. Thinking Like a Christian Mondays at 6:30 pm begins January 8th. H.O.M.E. Group Training Thursdays at 6:30 pm begins January 18th.
https://gc3.org/grace-university/H.O.M.E. Groups
A few new H.O.M.E. Groups are starting soon! If you don't have a group, think about joining and sign-up at the link below. Jeff & Mary Burpee: Meeting on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm at their home in Nashville beginning January 10th. Matt & Donita Firman: Meeting on Fridays at 6:30 pm at their home in Charlotte beginning January 5th. Nick & Jacki Van De Moortel: For young adults (post high school/college age) meeting on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm. They gather at the church and at their home in Olivet on a rotation.
https://gc3.org/home-groups/Ken Ham in Charlotte
Charlotte First Baptist Church is hosting author and speaker, Ken Ham, on Sunday, January 21st at 5:00 pm. The event is free but you must register to attend at the link below.
Ken Ham is the founder/CEO of Answers in Genesis and its Creation Museum and Ark Encounter.
https://subsplash.com/firstbaptistchurch-mi/lb/ev/+57m3dtxIndia Giving
God IS SO GOOD!
As a church we've met our goal and have raised $21,820 to train pastors in India! All money will go toward materials, housing, and food during the trainings.
Please remember to pray for this endeavor. Pray for those who are giving the training, for the pastors and their churches, and for the people who will come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior because of this.
As a church we've met our goal and have raised $21,820 to train pastors in India! All money will go toward materials, housing, and food during the trainings.
Please remember to pray for this endeavor. Pray for those who are giving the training, for the pastors and their churches, and for the people who will come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior because of this.
2024 Bible Reading Journals
There are 2024 Bible reading journals for you to pick up in CJ's coffee shop if you haven't already. These will be used as we study God's Word together next year.
Christmas Card Exchange
If you would like to exchange Christmas Cards with your Grace Church family, feel free to place cards in the baskets on the tables in the auditorium. Baskets are labeled with letters that correspond with the last names of our church families. Be sure to check the baskets as the month goes on to pick up cards given to your family!
Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Conference
Hey gentlemen! Looking for that last minute Christmas gift for your wife? Yes, I assume the ladies have already bought gifts for their men, but if not here is a great idea!
Jeff and Mary Burpee, and Aaron and Angie Walker are planning on getting several couples together to attend Laugh Your Way, a couples comedy event on March 8-9 in Taylor, MI. The speaker is Mark Gungor, one of the most sought-after speakers on love and marriage. Join us as he explores the underlying dynamics of male/female relationships with a comedic twist. The event is Friday 7-10pm, and continues on Saturday from 9am-12pm. We plan to have lunch together after the event to discuss what we’ve learned. For tickets or more information, use this LINK. See the Walkers or the Burpees if you have questions
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taylor-mi-tickets-664505222007?aff=ebdssbdestsearchCJ's Gift Cards
You can now purchase CJ's Gift Cards in either $10 or $20 amounts at the counter in CJ's. These cards are good for anything purchased in CJ's (not for online purchases). This is a great way to bless someone as well as supporting the Samaritan Fund to help those in need in our community!
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Thursday, December 28th - Avary Allerding
Friday, December 29th - Holly Paul
Friday, December 29th - Holly Paul