North Platte Berean Church
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Lights, decorations, presents, the smells of special dishes… Christmas traditions add so much joy to the season! At the root of our joy, of course, is the good news that God, in the person of Jesus, became human to rescue us from sin and death. In his first Advent ("Coming") he lived a perfect life, endured an obedient and sacrificial death, resurrected in triumph, and ascended in glory. And because the child Jesus was the long-expected Deliverer, the whole world can have joy – for God has declared peace on earth and goodwill to men! Join in as we use the four Christmas carols (another joyful tradition!) hidden in that last sentence to help us celebrate Christ's first Advent and anticipate his second.
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
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 it to the information center for a welcome gift.
https://npberean.org/ccThe Latest
• Share the Joy: Sun. 12/1-12/15
• Holiday Schedule: 12/18-1/8
• Blue Christmas: Fri. 12/20, 7-8 p.m.
• Help us Un-Decorate!: Mon. 12/30, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
For more details, check these out in the app!
• Share the Joy: Sun. 12/1-12/15
• Holiday Schedule: 12/18-1/8
• Blue Christmas: Fri. 12/20, 7-8 p.m.
• Help us Un-Decorate!: Mon. 12/30, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
For more details, check these out in the app!
Office Info
• Hours this week: Mon.-Thu. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (closed Tue. 1:30-2:30 p.m. for staff meeting)
• Contact us: npberean.org, npberean@npberean.org, 308-532-7448
• Hours this week: Mon.-Thu. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (closed Tue. 1:30-2:30 p.m. for staff meeting)
• Contact us: npberean.org, npberean@npberean.org, 308-532-7448
New Here?
• Sunday large gatherings: 8, 9:15, 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. (livestream info: npberean.org/live)
• Bibles: available free at information center
• Sound levels: assisted listening devices and earplugs available at sound booth
• PDF bulletin: npberean.org/sundayprint
• Bibles: available free at information center
• Sound levels: assisted listening devices and earplugs available at sound booth
• PDF bulletin: npberean.org/sundayprint
Worship as a Family
• Mother's Room: Care for your baby and still connect to the gathering via livestream – follow signs north of auditorium.
• Children (infant-grade 6): Kids Connect is available at 9:15 and 11 a.m. – check-in inside east doors or upstairs from foyer. Kids also welcome in large gatherings; activity bags at back of auditorium to help them engage.
• Students (grades 6-12): Sola gathers on Wednesdays – middle school from 6-7:45 p.m. and high school from 7:30-9 p.m.
• Children (infant-grade 6): Kids Connect is available at 9:15 and 11 a.m. – check-in inside east doors or upstairs from foyer. Kids also welcome in large gatherings; activity bags at back of auditorium to help them engage.
• Students (grades 6-12): Sola gathers on Wednesdays – middle school from 6-7:45 p.m. and high school from 7:30-9 p.m.
Worship through Prayer
• Saturday evening: 7-7:30 p.m., meet at main office to start.
• Prayer space: Drop in anytime during office hours to pray quietly in the Auditorium.
• This week: Pray for Blue Christmas, that the Lord would draw those in need of a space to grieve and to hope, and that Christ would minister powerfully to those who come.
• Prayer space: Drop in anytime during office hours to pray quietly in the Auditorium.
• This week: Pray for Blue Christmas, that the Lord would draw those in need of a space to grieve and to hope, and that Christ would minister powerfully to those who come.
Worship in Song
• O Come All Ye Faithful (His Name Shall Be) – Passion
• What a Beautiful Name – Hillsong
• I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – Reawaken Hymns
• Is He Worthy – Shane and Shane
• What a Beautiful Name – Hillsong
• I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – Reawaken Hymns
• Is He Worthy – Shane and Shane
Worship by Giving
• Sunday: Use wooden boxes by auditorium doors.
• Online: npberean.org/givenew
• Text: Text any amount to 1-888-364-GIVE (4483).
• Mail: 202 W. 8th St., North Platte, NE 69101
• Online: npberean.org/givenew
• Text: Text any amount to 1-888-364-GIVE (4483).
• Mail: 202 W. 8th St., North Platte, NE 69101
This Week's Sermon: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Blue Christmas
Christmas can be a complicated season as we try to make room for both joy and sorrow in our hearts. If you or someone you know is feeling particularly “blue” this year, we invite you to join us for our Blue Christmas gathering on one of the longest, darkest nights of the year. We’ll spend some time acknowledging the losses and sadness we’ve felt this year and also be reminded of the HOPE we can have because of Jesus, the Light of the World who shines into our darkness. We invite you to bring a picture of a loved one you are missing this Christmas season.
https://npberean.org/blue-christmasI heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
the words repeat
Of peace of earth, good will to men.
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
the words repeat
Of peace of earth, good will to men.
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’ unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’ unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men
And in despair I bowed my head:
There is no peace on earth, I said,
For hate is strong
and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men
There is no peace on earth, I said,
For hate is strong
and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men
Then pealed the bells
more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth,
good will to men."
more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth,
good will to men."
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men
Casting Crowns - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
This one seems to be the most watched rendition I found. With the kids choir in the background (and foregrounded at the end), the strings resounding, and the stirring lyrics and vocals - it's a heart-gripper in my opinion. Quiet your heart, ask the Lord to speak, and just watch. Peace on earth, Good will to men!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7670CXvPX0Chris Tomlin - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
I appreciate Chris Tomlin and for the most part stays faithful to the lyrics (he does add a little chorus between verses, but it's not obtrusive). If you're taking the time to check this out, I'd also encourage you to check out this same recording (Tomlin's Live Christmas) of "Crown Him with Many Crowns" (feat. Matt Redman) - another soul-stirrer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHP_XXHJw2MBaptisms
Baptism is a public witness of an internal reality, that the person has passed from death to life by trusting Jesus alone for salvation. Today we’re baptizing Revin Guenthner by Lucy Keller (grandmother) and Kristi Patterson (friend), Patricia Phalen by Andrew Walker (ministry director), Jaydn and Lasea Krohn by Patricia Phalen (mother).
Baptism is a public witness of an internal reality, that the person has passed from death to life by trusting Jesus alone for salvation. Today we’re baptizing Revin Guenthner by Lucy Keller (grandmother) and Kristi Patterson (friend), Patricia Phalen by Andrew Walker (ministry director), Jaydn and Lasea Krohn by Patricia Phalen (mother).
Beyond Sunday
Growing with Jesus isn’t just for Sundays. Make it an everyday, everywhere, with everyone mission by going “beyond Sunday”!
Engage in these resources on your own and with your Grow Group*, family, or a friend:
Grow
• Consider the biblical meaning of “Peace” by watching this video: npberean.org/beyond22.
• What does Jesus’ “peace on earth” really mean? Consider further by reading this article: npberean.org/beyond23.
Share
• This hymn reminds us that because of Jesus, we can have peace, even in turmoil. How can you share this peace with others this week?
• Read Revelation 21:1-5. Journal what stirs in your heart and mind. How does this reality change your perspective?
Connect
• Read the third verse together. What “despair” are you facing right now? Discuss then spend time praying for one another.
• What “wrongs” do you long to be made right? How can we remain faithful in this “in-between” time as we await Jesus’ return?
• Explore Luke 2:1-21; 1:26-38; and Matthew 1:18-2:13 together to prepare for next week’s sermon.
* Connecting in community with other believers is crucial for spiritual growth. Explore group options at npberean.org/gg
Growing with Jesus isn’t just for Sundays. Make it an everyday, everywhere, with everyone mission by going “beyond Sunday”!
Engage in these resources on your own and with your Grow Group*, family, or a friend:
Grow
• Consider the biblical meaning of “Peace” by watching this video: npberean.org/beyond22.
• What does Jesus’ “peace on earth” really mean? Consider further by reading this article: npberean.org/beyond23.
Share
• This hymn reminds us that because of Jesus, we can have peace, even in turmoil. How can you share this peace with others this week?
• Read Revelation 21:1-5. Journal what stirs in your heart and mind. How does this reality change your perspective?
Connect
• Read the third verse together. What “despair” are you facing right now? Discuss then spend time praying for one another.
• What “wrongs” do you long to be made right? How can we remain faithful in this “in-between” time as we await Jesus’ return?
• Explore Luke 2:1-21; 1:26-38; and Matthew 1:18-2:13 together to prepare for next week’s sermon.
* Connecting in community with other believers is crucial for spiritual growth. Explore group options at npberean.org/gg
Next Week's Sermon
Next in our Advent series, "Christmas Hymns," we're exploring the biblical foundations for "What Child Is This?" This song invites us to wrestle with the unmatched uniqueness of the Christ child – announced by angels, arrived in the humblest of circumstances, born of a virgin, worshiped by the poorest and the richest, bringer of great joy. Who do you say Jesus is?
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A1-21%2C%201%3A26-38%3B%20Matthew%201%3A18-2%3A13%3B%20Isaiah%2053%3A2-6%3B%20John%2019%3A34-37&version=NLT