Central UMC Lenoir City

Advent Conspiracy: Worship Fully
9:00am Modern Worship / 11:00am Traditional Worship Helping People to Find and Follow Jesus
Locations & Times
Central UMC Lenoir City Tn
301 Hickory Creek Rd, Lenoir City, TN 37771, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
Can Christmas still change the world?
In 2006, a group of pastors asked that question. They had found that they day supposed to celebrate God's coming into the world turned out more into a day of commercialism that lead to increased debt, stress, and missing out on the point of it all.
In 2024, consumers spent $900 billion on Christmas. Gallup estimates the average person spends $900-$1000 on Christmas.
This time of preparation for Christmas at Central, we will focus a week on each of these four themes: worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all.
Worship Fully
One of the most famous stories around Christmas is the account of the Magi. These wise, rich men follow a star for about 2 years to Jerusalem looking to worship the newborn king of the Jews. King Herod greets them, tells them when he finds him to let him know so he could worship him.
They follow to the star to Bethlehem and it stops over the pace where Jesus was. They see they child, his mother Mary and bow and worship him. Then they give him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Bottom Line: Worship before the gifts. The order is important. They worship not only with their gifts but their bodies as well. One definition of worship is worth-ship. Worthship is declaring something or someone is worthy of worship.
How Can I Worship Fully?
1) Stop and See - The wise men stop and then see the baby Jesus. Many times we are so busy we do not stop and be present. The God of the universe is reaching out to each of us. Let's not be so busy that we don't stop and see.
2) Recenter Daily - Establish a habit of daily time with God. Perhaps during this season you may light a candle to feel a sense of peace, engage in a devotional plan like the one included in these sermon notes. Daily time with God at the start of your day can recenter you on what is most important.
3) Worship in Community - Don't worship alone. Christas is meant to be communal. Take advantage of the worship services and special services at church and in our community.
4) Ask, "Who is my neighbor?" - I John 4 states that if we love God, we will love our brothers and sisters. How can I help my neighbor? There are two ways to help, your time and your money.
I challenge you to estimate how much you are giving to others for Christmas and make a tithe on your gift giving to God. Our Christmas offering this year is going to the hungry and homeless of Loudon County. You can give to this or a mission of your choice.
Romans 12:1 says worship is being a living sacrifice. It is not a one time event. It is continual. That is true and a-roper worship
Question for Today: What would it look like for me to worship fully this Christmas?
In 2006, a group of pastors asked that question. They had found that they day supposed to celebrate God's coming into the world turned out more into a day of commercialism that lead to increased debt, stress, and missing out on the point of it all.
In 2024, consumers spent $900 billion on Christmas. Gallup estimates the average person spends $900-$1000 on Christmas.
This time of preparation for Christmas at Central, we will focus a week on each of these four themes: worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all.
Worship Fully
One of the most famous stories around Christmas is the account of the Magi. These wise, rich men follow a star for about 2 years to Jerusalem looking to worship the newborn king of the Jews. King Herod greets them, tells them when he finds him to let him know so he could worship him.
They follow to the star to Bethlehem and it stops over the pace where Jesus was. They see they child, his mother Mary and bow and worship him. Then they give him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Bottom Line: Worship before the gifts. The order is important. They worship not only with their gifts but their bodies as well. One definition of worship is worth-ship. Worthship is declaring something or someone is worthy of worship.
How Can I Worship Fully?
1) Stop and See - The wise men stop and then see the baby Jesus. Many times we are so busy we do not stop and be present. The God of the universe is reaching out to each of us. Let's not be so busy that we don't stop and see.
2) Recenter Daily - Establish a habit of daily time with God. Perhaps during this season you may light a candle to feel a sense of peace, engage in a devotional plan like the one included in these sermon notes. Daily time with God at the start of your day can recenter you on what is most important.
3) Worship in Community - Don't worship alone. Christas is meant to be communal. Take advantage of the worship services and special services at church and in our community.
4) Ask, "Who is my neighbor?" - I John 4 states that if we love God, we will love our brothers and sisters. How can I help my neighbor? There are two ways to help, your time and your money.
I challenge you to estimate how much you are giving to others for Christmas and make a tithe on your gift giving to God. Our Christmas offering this year is going to the hungry and homeless of Loudon County. You can give to this or a mission of your choice.
Romans 12:1 says worship is being a living sacrifice. It is not a one time event. It is continual. That is true and a-roper worship
Question for Today: What would it look like for me to worship fully this Christmas?
With - A 10 Day Christmas Bible Plan
Join your church family by preparing for Christmas during Advent. Click on the link below.
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