I’m looking forward to being back with you in worship this weekend. I’m currently wrapping up my Israel trip and looking forward to telling you more about it in Austin. It has been a phenomenal experience, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it once again with many of you next year. A trip like this changes the way you view Scripture. It is thrilling to see the words of the Bible come alive in person in the Holy Land. As a reminder, registration is now open for our November 2023 trip, and you can learn more about it and put down your deposit HERE.
It’s going to be a big Christmas weekend here at ABC. We’re pressing on to week two of our sermon series, “The First Songs of Christmas.” Over the course of this study, we’ll get to examine those first songs of praise recorded during that first Christmas season. We’ll study the songs of Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, the Angels, and Simeon as recorded in Luke chapters 1-2. I want to thank Dr. Gillum for delivering a great sermon last weekend, and I’m excited to see how God will continue to prepare our hearts during this advent season.
This Sunday is also our special community event, “The Sights and Sounds of Christmas.” I’m thrilled to see our choir, orchestra, and music ministry come together for an amazing time of worship at 3pm and 6pm. In between those two concerts, we’ll have a family friendly Christmas festival at 4pm featuring a snow slide, inflatables, ice sculpting, cookie decorating, hot chocolate and more. This event is the perfect opportunity for you to invite a neighbor or friend to join you. I’m confident that they will have an incredible experience, but most importantly, they will get to hear the hope of Jesus Christ through message and song.
Don’t miss the opportunity to shine your light this Christmas season. Many in our city are disconnected from the Lord and the church, but Christmas gives us a divine opportunity to reach out in a fresh way to those who are around us. This is the season of light, so “in the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Begin praying for your neighbors, colleagues, and friends, and then invite them to come experience Christmas at ABC. One simple invitation can change a person’s life.
As we press on this December, I do want to thank you for your continued generosity. Weekends of ministry like this are only possible because of your faithful stewardship and partnership in ministry. As we approach year end giving, I encourage you to continue in that spirit of generosity and join me in prayer that God will continue to meet our needs so we can serve as that city on a hill that he has called us to be. I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday.
Onward and upward,
Jonathan Spencer
www.jonathanspencer.org 