Advent Reading: What child is this who has been born to us? - John 3:16-19
But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." - James 4:6
-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT- Grace to the Humble
In the second chapter of Matthew, we are given a comparison of the proud (Herod the king) and the humble (wise men from the east).
Herod was troubled by the birth of this baby. The wise men were overjoyed by the birth of the king.
Herod was threatened by this baby. The wise men were captivated by this baby.
Herod sought to kill this baby. The wise men sought to worship this baby.
Read Matthew 2:1-23, then read James 4:1-10
The proud live as if they do not need God or as if they can use God for their own selfish passion and pleasure.
The humble submit themselves to God, resist the devil, draw near to God, and repent of their sin.
The proud have an adulterous heart, while the humble have a broken heart.
The proud are opposed by God; the humble receive grace upon grace from God and are exalted by God.
May we humble ourselves before our mighty God, repent of our sin, receive the Lord Jesus Christ, be filled with His Spirit, and rejoice in the gracious work of our holy God.
PRAYER & THANKSGIVING Pray for Matthew and Heather Bond & the church they serve - Ekklessia
Pray for Sandy Jaeger and her girls.
Ask God to bring the River Family to maturity in Christ and to unite us in Christ.
Pray for the elders as we seek the Lord regarding our Youth and Children's ministries.
Make a Note Christmas Caroling - Tonight, Monday, December 21st, 5:45pm Main Entrance of Hospital.
Christmas Eve Service - December 24th 5pm Sanctuary
No Sunday School - December 27th & January 3rd
Baptism - December 27th Morning Service Joshua Payne
End of Year Giving All contributions for 2020 must be received by the church office via mail, or online giving by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2020, or post-marked NO later than December 31, 2020. Stock transfers must be completed by December 31, 2020 as well. Any gift received or post-marked on or after January 1, 2021 will be credited to 2021. Please only mail contributions to our P.O. Box address. The River Bible Church, P.O. Box 2413, Mountain Home, AR 72654 If you have any questions regarding a year end gift please email the church office at: theriver@suddenlinkmail.com .
Sunday School & Life Group Options
We have started back up our Sunday School classes. Pray and contact one of the leaders below to ask questions and sign up for a SS Class. The following are opportunities to gather and grow in fellowship & faith in Christ:
After Service
Encouragers SS Class In Main Sanctuary contact: John Hilvert 870-405-7111
Will van der Hoeven' Class Lobby Class Room and Zoom A Study of Isaiah contact: Will van der Hoeven 512-636-3821
Wirt McKee's Class Zoom only Diving Deeper into Sermon contact: Wirt Mckee 870-404-5398
There will also be Sunday School for both children, and youth during the Sunday school hour.
contact: Eric Smeltzer 870-421-4341
Life Groups
There are two different Life Groups that meet on Monday evenings:
contact: Russel Tucker 870-350-0809 contact: Nathan Jackson 970-301-1676