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December 2017
Plan of Salvation: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For unto you a child is born
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
A Message From Good News Press
What is the Meaning of Christmas for Christians Christmas is the most commercial season in our society, but for a significant percentage of the population it is also a holiday packed with meaning. For Christians who take their faith seriously, Christmas is the celebration of one of the most important events in history. Christians consider Christmas to be the celebration of the day Jesus Christ was born as a baby. Known in theology as the "Incarnation," it signifies that God became human and entered into His own creation. According to the biblical nativity narratives, Jesus was born to a virgin named Mary in the town of Bethlehem in the Judean countryside.
In fact, Christmas has been celebrated on a variety of different dates throughout the history of the Christian Church. In fact, even today Christians in some parts of the world celebrate Christian on different dates. December 25 is simply an arbitrary date chosen to celebrate the birth because the exact date is unknown.
The date is non-consequential, anyway, since the true significance of Christmas for Christians is not found in the coming of Jesus. It is in why He came. The Bible explains (and Christians believe) that Jesus is (and was) divine, and that He came into the world for the primary purpose of eventually giving up His life as an expression of His love and grace. Though most people identify Christ- Ultimately, it was part of a grand mas with the date of December 25, plan to offer forgiveness and life to Christianity does not actually claim all who would willingly choose to that Jesus was born on December 25. place their faith and hope in Him.
Did this Incarnation really take place? Or is Christmas a celebration of a birth that never took place? Christian apologists (defenders of the faith) argue in defense of the Biblical accounts. Ultimately, it is up to each person to examine the evidence and decide if they believe or not and if they will accept his free gift offered to the world. Either way, there is no denying the impact that this Christian holiday has had upon society and upon the faith community that celebrates it for reasons of faith. While many people complain about the holiday’s modern emphasis on consumerism, Christians throughout the centuries have recognized that Christmas represents a turning point in history when the Savior entered the world.
5 Ways to Share Christ During Christmas e-mail, choose cards with Christ centered images and messages. Include a Have you ever been to a birthday party scripture verse about the real meaning where no one talked about the main of Christmas. You never know. A simguest? Of course not. Yet, some people ple card or personal don’t even realize that Christmas is a Idea 1: Send Christ-centered Christmas note might encourage someone to think celebration of Christ’s birthday! cards. more about the meaning behind the Christmas is also a wonderful time to Remember that Jesus is the reason for trees and lights. reflect on the many blessings that God the season and not Santa Claus. If you has bestowed upon Cont’d on Next Page send Christmas cards in the mail or via By Rev. John B. Sorensen
us, especially God’s grace through Jesus Christ. And it provides natural opportunities to share the Gospel. Here are a few ideas:
The Christian message is often referred to as the "Gospel," which means "good news." Specifically, it is the good news about Jesus—who He is, what He has done, and what He offers. Essentially, the message is that Jesus was God in the flesh, that He came into the world to reconcile humanity to Himself, and that his salvation is freely offered to each person who will respond in faith. The Gospel message explains that salvation is only possible through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. Through his sacrifice, Jesus paid the price for our sinfulness (rebellion against God), thus offering us forgiveness. Then through his Resurrection He conquered death, removing it as the penalty for our sin and replacing it with the offer of eternal life that is only available from Him to all those that place their faith in Him.
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5 Ways to Share Christ During Christmas continued from Front Page by Rev. John B. Sorensen
tell our neighbors about the Good News of Jesus Christ and reap Good News Press is a Christian outreach eternal rewards. publication in the San Francisco Bay Area. Good News Press This popular high-quality, newspaper, inbelieves that this forms and inspires believers, as well as commission begins plant seeds into the hearts of men and in our own backwomen. yards. There are Good News Press covers world, national, more than 7 Miland local religious news and events, and lion people in the Bay Area. We want to features inspiring Christian articles and inshare the good news, and bring to them the sights. It is available, both digitally online love of Jesus Christ. and in full-color printed format. • Urgency… We believe that these are the Christian newspapers reach a targeted audi- last days and that Jesus Christ is soon to ence-specifically a family oriented, audireturn. ence, with strong loyalties and convictions. Good News Press is produced by Baron & Why Support Good News Press Connie Woods. Support Our Work by Call• Fulfill the Great Commission! Help us us ing Our Ads, Placing an ad, or by giving.
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Family Support Services - Oakland, CA
Are You a Caregiver who is taking care of a relative’s or friend’s child? Family Support Services offers assistance to Kinship and Guardianship Families, as well as foster services. (510) 834-2443. Ext. 3008 living alone while half of those over 85 do so. Social isolation has been linked to immune system isRed accounts for threesues, depression, disrupted fourths of poinsettia sales tosleep, higher levels of inflammaday, but there are more than 100 tion and stress hormones, and varieties, including colors of even increased risk of heart discream, apricot, and white, acease and stroke. All of these cording to Dr. Leonard Perry, issues are serious on their own Extension Professor at University and some of them, such as depresof Vermont. sion, can lead to other problems According to the USDA like cognitive decline and demenFloriculture Crops report, 35 tia which contribute further to a million pots of poinsettias were cycle of poor health and isolasold in 2014, accounting for 19 tion. All told, according to a percent of all flowering potted recent study at Brigham Young plant sales. Total sales were University involving 3.4 million $146 million. people, isolation and loneliness California is the top US showed about a 30 percent instate to sell poinsettias, folcreased likelihood of dying from lowed by North Carolina, Texas any cause over the next seven and Florida. years. This effect was most pronounced in middle-aged people and Don't stay home alone carried over into the aging population. during the holidays Health issues can affect Make the holidays a spe- whether a person gets out and cial occasion this year by getabout. So can changing friendting out to the local senior cen- ships and social status. ter, volunteering, or just enjoying activities in your area. Participating in activiAccording to the AARP, ties is important. Even if you the number of Americans who say can't participate for a long pethey're lonely has doubled since riod, do what you can. Vow to 1980 from 20 percent to 40. take advantage of the activities What's more, about one-third of offered at church and senior cencitizens over the age of 65 are ters. You'll feel better for it!
Facts about Poinsettias
Idea 2: Invite others to a Christmas service at your church. More people attend Christmas and Easter church services than any other time during the year. According to research, Google searches for churches increase weeks before each holiday (Pew Research, 2014). People are searching for a place to incorporate a spiritual element into their holiday celebrations. Why not invite them to a Christmas service at your church? Idea 3: Share some Bible prophecies concerning Jesus Christ. If someone asks you how you know the Christ of Christmas is the Son of God, consider sharing some prophecies concerning Jesus. For example, in the Old Testament there are 333 prophecies about Jesus Christ, written hundreds of years before He was born in Bethlehem. They include detailed accounts of His lineage, birth, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection. The chances of all of those being fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ is simply mind boggling! Yet every one of them was indeed fulfilled in Jesus. This is classic evidence that you can share with friends and family at Christmas or anytime.
GREAT news! This Christmas, while the traditional practice of exchanging gifts is in full swing, remember to share about the greatest gift ever given—eternal life through Jesus Christ. But, you know, you can’t share something you don’t have. Eternal life— Heaven is not something we can earn and we certainly don’t deserve it because we’re all sinners and our sin separates us from an all Holy God. But the Good News is that God solved our problem by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to pay Idea 4: Join the celebration. People are of- for our sins and purchase a place for us ten more open to hearing about Jesus at this in Heaven. And we receive this gift by faith. time of year. Research shows that more than If you haven’t received this gift, don’t let 80% of non-Christians celebrate Christmas anotherChristmas go by. Visit a local (Pew Research, 2013). They set up trees church or talk to a pastor today. and exchange gifts and enjoy Christmas _____ traditions—so Christmas parties and holiRev. John B. Sorensen, D.D. is the Presiday dinners can be perfect times to share the dent/CEO of Evangelism Explosion Internatrue meaning of Christmas with them. tional, headquartered in Arden, N.C. EE has been a leader in equipping Christians to Idea 5: Give the ultimate gift. share their faith for more than 50 years. For The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus more free tips and resources, visit evangeChrist. That is not only Good News. It’s lismexplosion.org.
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World's Largest Museum Dedicated to the Bible Marks Grand Opening in US Capital One day before Museum of the Bible opens to the public, a diverse group of faith and secular leaders from around the world gathered at the eight-story, 430,000-square-foot museum in Washington to dedicate the newest museum in the nation's capital in front of a standingroom-only crowd. Those joining in the celebration in the museum's 472-seat, technologically advanced World Stage Theater included Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington; Rear Admiral Margaret Kibben, chief of chaplains of the U.S. Navy; Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt, president of the Rabbinic Cabinet of the Jewish Federations of North America; U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black; and Ron Dermer, Israel's ambassador to the U.S. Museum of the Bible President Cary Summers, Executive Director Tony Zeiss, Ed.D., and Chairman of the Board Steve Green welcomed guests and spoke about the vision of the museum. "We want to take a moment to set our differences aside and say, here's a book that has changed our world…impacted lives; and we want to celebrate it in this facility today. And when guests leave hopefully they will be inspired to get engaged with it," Co-founder and Chairman of the Board Steve Green said. "We created this museum to help our guests understand and appreciate the role of the Bible--not only in America, but globally," Summers said.
The centerpiece of many homes in December, the Christmas tree is often decorated with sentimental ornaments and a style beloved by each family. If you want to mix it up a bit this year, try these tips from countryliving.com. New colors: Try black and white, especially with ribbons. Also: ice blue and silver, pink bows and gold ornaments, white bulbs with brown extras like pine cones, or bulbs that make a rainbow of color. Ornaments: Among the possibilities are spray-painted birdhouses, toy soldiers or nutcrackers, large glittering letters, or small flag garlands. Materials: How about burlap for garlands, scrapbook tags, triangular flags made of burlap, or feathers. Museum of the Bible would be built Tree stands: Why do you here." have to get a conventional stand with a skirt? Try colorIsraeli Ambassador to the United States ful vintage buckets for smaller Ron Dermer said, "Today, nearly two trees or re-purpose objects. and a half centuries after America's Use baskets or tree pots. founding, we are gathered to celebrate the arrival of the Bible in your capital. … New places: Have a kitchJust as the Bible has always been the most prized possession of the Jewish people, the Bible has always been cherished by the American people. The towering figures that are memorialized with monuments in this great city surely testi* Five days before: Plan the menu and the fy to that." place settings, table decorations and center
"Our purpose is this: to invite all people to engage in this wonderful book we call the Bible," Zeiss said. "Its history, its narrative and its impact. In fact, those are the three themes you will see throughout this museum." The morning ceremony was followed by an official ribbon-cutting in front of the Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowmuseum's entrance. ser said, "It is appropriate that in the nation's capital where we have soaring mu- Museum of the Bible opened to the pubseums and monuments and where people lic Saturday, Nov. 18,. For more info: visit us from around the world that the museumofthebible.org.
Museum of the Bible: Washington’s Newest Museum Facts Museum of the Bible invites all people to engage with the Bible through museum exhibits and scholarly pursuits. Dedicated to the history, narrative and impact of the Bible, the museum, located at 400 4th St. SW, opens Nov. 17, 2017, three blocks from the U.S. Capitol in Washington. By the Numbers
▪ Total square footage: 430,000 ▪ Floors: 8 (including two basement levels and two new floors constructed on the existing rooftop) ▪ The museum is approximately 170 feet in height from the lowest level to the rooftop ▪ Central exhibit floors: 3 (History, Narrative and Impact of the Bible) ▪ Construction and property costs: More than $500 million ▪ Workers on-site daily at construc-
New looks for Christmas trees
tion’s peak: 500 – 600 ▪ Time it takes to read every placard, see every artifact and experience every activity in the museum: 9 days at 8 hours per day ▪ Floor height (in feet) needed to accommodate exhibits: 20 (approximately) ▪ Length (in feet) of giant LED ceiling screen running the expanse of the museum’s grand lobby: 140 ▪ Biblical garden: 1 on rooftop ▪ Ballroom: Dinner seating for 420, lecture-style seating for 630 ▪ Performing arts hall: 472 seats ▪ Number of biblical texts and artifacts on display on the History floor alone: More than 500 ▪ Number of blocks from the National Mall: 2 (approximately three minutes walking)
en tree? Want to make one? Try decorating with cooking items from cookie cutters to flatware. See Country Living's 67 tree suggestions at: countryliving.com/christmas-ideas.
Countdown to Christmas dinner at your house Make your pies and desserts. If you don't have a portable ovpieces. en, borrow one for the day so you can Plan the system and decide bake or heat different foods at the same whether guests will fill their dishes before time. going to the tables or whether you will * The night before: Set the tahave serving bowls on the tables, which is ble. Have salt and pepper shakers in place more work. and fill the butter dishes. Ask someone to say the meal Get someone to help with setprayer. ting up another table if you need one, and * Three days before: Check bringing in the chairs. your ingredients against the menu to make * Christmas day: When somesure you have everything. one asks how they can help, have them cut * One day before: Make some cakes and pies into servings. People won't foods in advance so you can just heat cut an uncut pie to serve themselves. them. * At dinner: Ask guests to hold Peel potatoes and put them in hands for the prayer, if it is your tradition. cold water in the fridge. They will stay * After dinner: If the women fresh if you want to make mashed potahave cooked, the men can clear the table toes. after dinner.
Museum of the Bible: Washington’s Newest Museum Overview Floor-by-Floor Overview ▪ Minus 2: Storage, administrative, research labs ▪ Minus 1: Short-term exhibit space, mechanical/electrical ▪ First floor: Lobby, atrium, orientation area, children’s gallery and affiliated libraries, mezzanine with coffee shop ▪ Second floor: Impact of the Bible gallery
▪ Third floor: Narrative of the Bible gallery ▪ Fourth floor: History of the Bible gallery ▪ Fifth floor: Long-term exhibit space for international museum galleries, performing arts hall, Museum of the Bible offices, Scholars Initiative offices, conference hall ▪ Sixth floor: Biblical garden, viewing gallery, gathering room, restaurant
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