Element Christian Church
The Carols Week 3 - Hark, Herald, and Reconciliation
Locations & Times
Element Christian Church
4890 Bethany Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:45 AM
Welcome to Element
We strive to ensure the biggest thing people think when they hear about Element is Jesus! We are a Gospel centered community who finds our identity in Jesus.
eFamilies Cookies and Crafting TODAY
Sunday, December 15th, come and enjoy a fun family Christmas themed afternoon filled with cookie decorating and crafts! Our eFamily team will supply the decorations, cookies, crafts, drinks and merriment. If you would like to bake some plain cookies to contribute, we welcome and appreciate it. Please email Jenna.Heuchert@ourelement.org if you plan to bake cookies so we can plan accordingly.
Gospel Quest Christmas Edition This Friday
For students in 3rd-5th grade to dig deeper in who Christ is, and what it is like to be part of a community of believer. Our December gathering will be a Christmas themed evening of fun, food, cookie decorating, games, and a craft.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/677135Youth Christmas Party
Calling all 6-12th grade students!
Join us for a night of friends, treats, and fun at this year's Element Youth Christmas Party!
* Pasta Dinner & Holiday Treats
* Reindeer Games & Prizes
* 'Nice' Gift Exchange - Bring a WRAPPED gift ($10-15, NOT a gag gift) to join in the fun.
Questions, Contact Kevin or Christie. Hope to see you all there!
Join us for a night of friends, treats, and fun at this year's Element Youth Christmas Party!
* Pasta Dinner & Holiday Treats
* Reindeer Games & Prizes
* 'Nice' Gift Exchange - Bring a WRAPPED gift ($10-15, NOT a gag gift) to join in the fun.
Questions, Contact Kevin or Christie. Hope to see you all there!
Fall Missions Update
Our Fall issue of our quarterly Missions Update is now available
https://ourelement.org/downloads/2024/2024_4_Fall_MissionsUpdate.pdfSubscribe to Email Update
Get a recap of all the important dates and information we think you want to know every Wednesday.
https://ourelement.org/contact-us/Start serving at Element
If you are looking for a way to meet more people at Element or feel more connected, one of the easiest ways is to start serving. From once a month for 15 minutes, to helping in our classrooms for a longer time, we have needs to fit your gifts.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/395779Download the Church Center App
Stay in the loop with Element's calendar of events, group sign ups, online giving, and other links all in one app!
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/setupThis week's song list
Interested in looking for some of the songs we sang this week? Here's the titles and original artists:
King of Glory - Passion
Hark the Harold Angels Sing - Lincoln Brewster
Phil Wickham - Christ is Risen
Mighty to Save - Hillsong
In Tenderness - Citizens
King of Glory - Passion
Hark the Harold Angels Sing - Lincoln Brewster
Phil Wickham - Christ is Risen
Mighty to Save - Hillsong
In Tenderness - Citizens
The Carols
Week 3 - Hark, Herald, and Reconciliation
Today we will look at the theological depth behind “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and its scriptural foundations. The angels’ announcement to shepherds show God’s pattern of subverting power dynamics by revealing Himself to the broken and outcast. Through Christ’s birth, work, life, death, and resurrection God reconciles sinners to Himself, making us new creations. The good news is that God knew all our failures yet chose, loved, and called us anyway, bringing true reconciliation and peace through Christ.
Week 3 - Hark, Herald, and Reconciliation
Today we will look at the theological depth behind “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and its scriptural foundations. The angels’ announcement to shepherds show God’s pattern of subverting power dynamics by revealing Himself to the broken and outcast. Through Christ’s birth, work, life, death, and resurrection God reconciles sinners to Himself, making us new creations. The good news is that God knew all our failures yet chose, loved, and called us anyway, bringing true reconciliation and peace through Christ.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
• Share about a time when something “new” in your life became meaningful to you.
What Does the Text Say?
• Read Luke 2:13-14 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. How does Paul describe reconciliation?
• What does it mean to be a “new creation” according to these passages?
Understanding Deeper
• How does understanding God’s glory (kavod/doxa) help us grasp the significance of Christ’s birth?
• Why is it significant that God announced Christ’s birth to shepherds rather than to religious or political leaders?
• How does the concept of “already but not yet” help us understand our new life in Christ?
Application
• What past regrets do you need to release in light of God’s complete reconciliation?
CHRISTMAS MISSION ACTIVITY
As the angels proclaimed Christ’s birth to the shepherds, we can share God’s love in practical ways:
1. Identify: Make a list of 3-5 people in your life who might feel like “outsiders” (like the shepherds).
2. Pray: Commit to praying for these individuals daily through Christmas.
3. Act: Choose one tangible way to show Christ’s love to each
person:
• Write a personal note sharing how they’ve impacted your life
• Invite them to your home for a meal
• Create a care package with their favorite things
• Offer practical help with a need they have
4. Share: Look for natural opportunities to tell them about the hope you have in Christ.
• Share about a time when something “new” in your life became meaningful to you.
What Does the Text Say?
• Read Luke 2:13-14 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. How does Paul describe reconciliation?
• What does it mean to be a “new creation” according to these passages?
Understanding Deeper
• How does understanding God’s glory (kavod/doxa) help us grasp the significance of Christ’s birth?
• Why is it significant that God announced Christ’s birth to shepherds rather than to religious or political leaders?
• How does the concept of “already but not yet” help us understand our new life in Christ?
Application
• What past regrets do you need to release in light of God’s complete reconciliation?
CHRISTMAS MISSION ACTIVITY
As the angels proclaimed Christ’s birth to the shepherds, we can share God’s love in practical ways:
1. Identify: Make a list of 3-5 people in your life who might feel like “outsiders” (like the shepherds).
2. Pray: Commit to praying for these individuals daily through Christmas.
3. Act: Choose one tangible way to show Christ’s love to each
person:
• Write a personal note sharing how they’ve impacted your life
• Invite them to your home for a meal
• Create a care package with their favorite things
• Offer practical help with a need they have
4. Share: Look for natural opportunities to tell them about the hope you have in Christ.