Newsletter December 2, 2009
From the Director of Music Ministries. . .
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2.13-14
Peace. I don’t know if there is any one thing longed for more in creation than peace. Peace with foreign countries, peace with neighbors, peace and quiet, a rest from our labors. John Lennon dwells on it incessantly in his later music. Hippies made a lifestyle out of it.
Creation longs for peace even when it doesn’t understand what true peace really is. The peace the angels declared that day is not a general peace that is declared by putting two fingers in the air in a sign of greeting. They declare a stronger, more meaningful peace. A peace with God.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. Romans 5.1-2
I can honestly say that I never truly understood the Luke 2 passage above until I understood this passage from Romans 5. It is the peace in Romans 5 that the angels were proclaiming. It is this peace to which we gain access through God the Son becoming flesh and dwelling among us. It is this peace that the whole world groans for while not even knowing for which they groan.
Here is a verse from one of the Sanctuary choir’s songs for the Christmas concert that reminded me of this truth:
O fearful world, to you is the song! Peace with your God, and pardon for wrong.
Tidings for sinners, burdened and bound, carol of joy- a Savior is found!
The CPC Sanctuary Choir will present its annual Christmas concert, When Love Came Down, this Sunday evening, December 6, at 6:00 pm. This concert will feature our choir, orchestra and soloists portraying the impact of Christ coming to earth and dwelling among us. This concert is always a highlight of the Advent and Christmas season at Covenant, so please come and bring guests to this glorious time of worship.
The children of CPC request your presence the next Sunday evening, December 13, for this year’s children’s musical, Christmas Hang-Ups. The children will be showing where the focus of Christmas really needs to be through the perspective of ornaments. From Frosty, angels and stars to hula girls and Elvis this is a musical that is not to be missed.
Please mark your calendars for our annual Lessons and Carols service on Christmas Eve at 5:30 pm. Together we go through the Christmas story through scripture and carols in order to truly reflect upon the Incarnation of Christ.
These services are but a few of the focuses we bring to the Advent and Christmas seasons. The Morning Worship service is bursting at the seams with wonderful ways to praise the newborn King. Please try not to miss a moment of these services by making a special effort to be here on time. Handbells and Choir will be playing or singing early in most services. Set your clocks a little earlier so you can be a part of the entire worship service.
Christmas is a very special time. Let’s celebrate together “when Love came down to earth and made His home with men.”
Jeremy