Malachi 3:16 - 4:6

Wonderful Wednesday meal at 5:30    The Road To The Manger Bible Study 6:15

Psalm 125          Malachi 3:16 – 4:6         Mark 9:9-13

Tonight: Wednesday Evening Gatherings. 5:30 p.m. meal, 6 p.m. classes for all ages.

Be sure to join us tonight at the church as we discover more about our journey to Bethlehem. 

Bring a thought or two to share so the conversation can be rich. 

We will learn from one another.

The last words of Malachi actually contain the final message of the Old Testament. They are not only the last words of the Old Testament; they are the last words from God for a 400 year period of time. From Malachi to the birth of Jesus, there is silence from the Word of God.

Then we discover that the last words are bittersweet at best. They are about renewal but they are also focused on a serious message of judgment. Some will be remembered and treasured while others will be cast aside like stubble from the field and ashes from the fire. And even though over 400 years had passed since the ministry of Elijah, we hear his name again as one who will return on the great day of the Lord.

So the themes of judgment and remembrance come to the surface. Judgment will fall on those who are disobedient to the covenant. Remembrance will be the gift that is offered to those who ‘fear the lord.’ Not fear as in frightened. But fear as in a powerful spirit of reverence.

Our journey on The Road to the Manger has been filled with insights and possibilities. Our faith rests on the reality that grace always wins. Our faithfulness that is combined with the grace of God     always comes up on the positive side of the equation. At mid-week and ten days away from Christmas Eve…this would be a great time to take stock of who we are, whose we are, and where we are going.