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Sun. - 8:15/10:45 am W, 9:30am SS 12/24- Worship 5 & 8pm. NORTHAMPTON ASSEMBLY OF GOD, Northampton Sun – 10:45am & 6pm W; 9:30am SS; Wed – 7:30pm W QUEENSHIP OF MARY CHURCH, ADVENT MORAVIAN, (610) 868Sun. – 10:30am W - 9am SS Northampton 610-262-2227 0477, Bethlehem. EMMANUEL'S LUTH Bath. Sun. – 7:30/9:30/11:30am S. Holy Sun - 8:30am W 9:30am SS; Sun – 9:30am – W, Wed. 7pm W 10:45am W FAITH REFORMED, Lehigh Twsp. day & Vigil – 6:30, 9am; Vigil 7pm SACRED HEART CATHOLIC, ASSUMPTION BVM PARISH, Sun - 10am W Northampton. 610-262-2559. GOD'S MISSIONARY CHURCH, Bath. Sat Vigil– 4:30pm/6pm M, Sun Sun - 8/10:30am W; Mon, Tue, Northampton. Thurs & Fri – 8am Mass; Wed– 7pm Sun – 9:30am SS, 10:30am & 7pm - 6:45/8/9:30/11am M; CC during 9:30am M; Mon– Thurs 8am M; Fri W; Sat – 4pm W Service; 6:30pm. Evening Youth BANGOR CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN, – 8:30am M, Morning Prayer MonThurs 7:30am Fri. 8am. NAZARENE, Bangor. 610-588-6929 Northampton SALEM U.C.C. Moorestown 610Sun - 9:30am SS for all ages; Sun – 8/10:45am W 9:30am SS 10:40am W 12/24- 4 pm Children’s Celebration, 759-1652 Sun. SS and Confirmation 9 am. W BETHANY WESLEYAN, Cher- 7/11pm Candlelight service ryville. 610-767-1239. Gospel Chapel Wesleyan 8 & 10:15 am. SALEM UNITED METHODIST, Sun – W - 9/10:30am Church, Northampton, 610-262Danielsville. 12/23- Candlelight Service 6pm 8101 (N) Sun – 9:30am W 12/24 – Candlelight Service 4 & Sun. 10 am – SS. 10:30 am - WorST. BRIGID’S EPISCOPAL Naza6pm. ship BUSHKILL UNITED METHODGRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP reth 610-746-3910 Sun – SS 9:45am, Eucharist 10am. IST, Clearfield, Bushkill Twp. CHURCH, Nazareth 610-759-7039 ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN Sun – W - 9:15 am, SS – 10:30 am. Sun. - 9:30am W, 10:30am SS, 6pm CHURCH, Bath. 610-837-1061 CARPENTER’S COMMUNITY W. Sun 8am/10:15am W – HC 1st & 3rd CHURCH, Nazareth, 484-285-0040 GRACE UNITED METHODIST Sun. Sun - 10am W CHURCH, Pen Argyl ST. JOHN’S EV. LUTHERN CHAPMAN QUARRIES UNITED Sun –8:30 & 10am W, 10am SS METHODIST, Bath. 610-837-0935 HOLY CROSS EVANGELICAL CHURCH, Nazareth 610-759-3090. Sun. –9am Sat. 5:30pm Sun. - 11am W, 10am SS LUTHERAN, Nazareth. 610-759ST. JOHN’S U.C.C., NorthampCHRIST U.C.C., S. Chestnut St. 3431 Bath. Sun – W – 8/9:30/10:30am. SS – ton. 610-262-8666 Sun – SS – 9am. W- 8/10:15am Sun. 9am - SS, 10:15 – W, 2pm – 9:15am. 12/22- Blue Christmas Service 2pm Mission Church 12/24Candlelight services 12/24Candlelight Services 12/24Candlelight services 4:30/7:00/9:00 & 11:00pm. 7/11:30pm. HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHO- 6/10:45pm ST. JOHN’S U.C.C. Nazareth. 610CHRIST U.C.C., Schoenersville. LIC CHURCH, Nazareth 759-0893 Sun. - 10:15am W Sun – 7am/9am/11am. Sun – W – 8am/10:45am Christian CHRIST U.C.C. – LITTLE HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN MOORE, Danielsville. CHURCH, Northampton 610-262- Ed – 9:15am 12/22- 11:30 – Loaves & Fishes Sun - 9am W, 10:15 SS 2668 12/24- Worship - 4pm, 7/9:30 can12/24- Worship 7/10pm. Sun. – 10:30am W Communion 1st dlelight services. CONCORDIA LUTHERAN Sun. of the Month. 9:15am SS ST. NICHOLAS CATHOLIC CHURCH Northampton 610-262HOLY TRINITY SLOVAK LUCHURCH, Walnutport. 610-7678500. THERAN, Northampton 3107 Sun - 9am W, 10:30am SS & BS. Sun. – W & SS - 9am Sun 8/9:30/11am M, Sat 4:30pm COVENANT UNITED METHODHOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH, M Daily Mass at 8:30am IST, Bath. 610-837-7517. HA Cherryville 610 767-7203 ST. PAUL’S UCC, Northampton, Sun – 8 & 10:30am W, 9:15am SS. Sun– 8:00/10:30am W, 9:15am – 610-261-2910. HA 12/24 – 7 p.m. Service SS. Sun. 10:15am W, Communion. 1st DRYLAND U.C.C., Nazareth. 610MOUNT EATON CHURCH SaySun. of Month. 9am SS 759-4444 lorsburg 570-992-7050 12/23- Christmas Cantata. 12/24 – Sat – 6pm W Sun – 8/10:15am W, Sat. - 6:30pm W, Sun. - 8/10:30am Worship 3pm, 8pm & 11pm. 9am SS W. 9:30am SS. ST. PAUL’S U.C.C., of Indianland, EGYPT COMMUNITY CHURCH, NAZARETH MORAVIAN Cherryville. Whitehall (Egypt) 610-262-4961 CHURCH, Nazareth 610-759-3163 Sun - 9am SS; 10:15am W ST. PETER’S U.C.C., Northampton Sun- 9am SS, 10:15 W VALLEY VIEW BAPTIST, Northampton 8142 Valley View Road • Seemsville, Northampton St. Peter’s U.C.C. Sun - 10:45am W WALNUTPORT SEVENTH-day 8142 Valley View Rd. Seemsville, Northampton ADVENTIST Sat – 9:30am W, - 10:45am SS Church School 9610-837-7426 a.m. ZION'S STONE U.C.C., Kreidersville. Worship 10:15 a.m. Sun- 9am SS, 10:15am W ZION WESLEYAN, Pt. Phillips. “There Are No Strangers Here, Sun- 9:00am SS, 10:15 W St. Peter’s U.C.C. Zion EL Church, Northampton, 8142 ValleyOnly View Rd. Friends We Haven’t Met!” 610-262-6636 (N) Seemsville, Northampton SS 9 am, W 10:30 am 610-837-7426
Church Directory
St. Peter’s UCC 610-837-7426
Pastor’s Pastor’s Comments Comments
“There A re No Strangers Here, Only Friends We Haven’t Met!” In large
In large print at: www.NAOG.ws/pc print at: www.NAOG.ws/pc
Northampton Northampton Assembly Assembly of of God God
Worship 10:15 9:00 a.m. p.m.
3449 Cherryville Cherryville Rd., Rd., Northampton Northampton •• Sun. Sun. 10:45 10:45 am am & & 66 pm; pm; Wed. Wed. 7:30 7:30 pm pm 3449 Daniel E. Lundmark Lundmark •• pastor@NAOG.ws pastor@NAOG.ws •• 610-262-5645 610-262-5645 Daniel E.
Jesus is Superior to Angels
God God chose chose angels angels to to play play significant significant parts parts in in the the birth birth of of His His Son. Son. Angels Angels are are aweawesome some beings beings who who wield wield terrific terrific power. power. They They can can be be fierce fierce warriors warriors as as when when one one angel angel alone killed 185,000 enemy soldiers in 2 Kings 19:35. Or, they can be amazing rescuers alone killed 185,000 enemy soldiers in 2 Kings 19:35. Or, they can be amazing rescuers as when an angel “shut the lions’ mouths” to deliver Daniel in the hungry lions’ den as when6:22), an angel “shut an theangel lions’delivered mouths” Peter to deliver in the hungry fell lions’ den (Daniel and when from Daniel prison as his chains off and (Daniel and when an12). angel delivered Peter from prison as hissignificance chains fell off and the iron 6:22), gate opened (Acts Yes, angels are awesome, but their dwinthe opened (Acts 12). Yes, are awesome, but their dlesiron in gate comparison to Jesus. Theangels first chapter of Hebrews givessignificance five reasonsdwinwhy dles The first chapter of Hebrews gives five reasons why Christiniscomparison superior toto theJesus. angels. 1. Jesus Superior He is the Son. “Being made so much better than the Christ is is superior to Because the angels. angels, hath by Because inheritanceHeobtained a more excellent thanbetter they.than For unto 1. Jesusasishe Superior is the Son. “Being made name so much the which he at any time, Thou artexcellent my Son,name this day I begotten angels,ofastheheangels hath bysaid inheritance obtained a more thanhave they. For unto thee?” of (v.4-5). Out ofsaid the 256 in theThou Bible art for my Jesus, there onehave nameI begotten that is “a which the angels he atnames any time, Son, thisisday more excellent name.” Son! No individual angel has ever been called the “Son of God.” thee?” (v.4-5). Out of the 256 names in the Bible for Jesus, there is one name that is “a “I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” (v.5). No angel ever had such more excellentwith name.” Son! No individual angel has ever been called the “Son of God.” a relationship the Father. “I will be toishim a Father, and he He shall to meofa Worship. Son?” (v.5). Noallangel ever had 2. Jesus Superior Because Is be Worthy “Let the angels of such God aworship relationship with the Father. him” (v.6). Christ’s superior rank is seen in that God commands his angels to worship TheyBecause worshipped at Hisofbirth (Luke 2:13). 2. JesusHis is Son. Superior He Jesus Is Worthy Worship. “Let all the angels of God 3. Jesushim” is Superior Because He Isrank the is Anointed. “God, hath anointed his thee…above worship (v.6). Christ’s superior seen in that God commands angels to thy fellows” It is not the angels that at areHis anointed but the Son alone. The angels worship His (v.9). Son. They worshipped Jesus birth (Luke 2:13). areJesus the ministers (v.14) of the kingdom“God, but hath Jesus is thethee…above Monarch! 3. is Superior Because He heavenly Is the Anointed. anointed 4. Jesus is Superior Because He Is The Creator. “Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast thy fellows” (v.9). It is not the angels that are anointed but the Son alone. The angels laid the foundation of the earth” Jesus existed before the universe because He created are ministers the heavenly kingdom it. Hethe is eternal. He (v.14) had noofbeginning. No angel can saybut that!Jesus is the Monarch! 4. Jesus Jesus is Creator. “Thou, Lord, in“But the to beginning 5. is Superior Superior Because Because He He Is Is The the Ruler of the Universe. which ofhast the laid thesaid foundation of the earth” Jesus before theI universe because Hethy created angels he at any time, Sit on my existed right hand, until make thine enemies footstool?” None of the held No such a position honor in heaven. The angels it. He is(v.13). eternal. He had noangels beginning. angel can sayofthat! areJesus not seated they areBecause serving. He Seated honor, remains “But superior! 5. is Superior Is theinRuler ofJesus the Universe. to which of the
angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?” (v.13). None of the angels held such a position of honor in heaven. The angels are not seated they are serving. Seated in honor, Jesus remains superior!
KEY –W- Worship, M – Mass, S – Services, SS – Sunday School, CE – Christian Ed, BS – Bible Study, CC - Child Care, HC – Holy Communion, H/A – Handicapped Accessible, VBS – Vacation Bible School
December 20-26, 2012 11
News Sermonette Fr. Edwin V. Schwartz
Immaculate Conception Church
Behold The Lamb of God Today’s Gospel begins with a lot of people listening to John the Baptist. So powerful were the words of John the Baptist that it is not surprising that many wondered if he might be the promised Christ. It was the calling and privilege of John the Baptist, however, to prepare the way of the Lord. In preparing the way, what did John preach? John sought to turn the people from any sort of idol that they would trust more than God. He preached about repentance, love and forgiveness, and proclaimed that Onemightier than he-was coming. This person would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. And this Baptism would bring salvation. The people heard John preach of God’s judgment on sinners and asked: What shall we do? He directed the people to share their goods with those who were in need. Tax collectors were admonished to collect no more than what was prescribed by law. He counseled soldiers against carrying out any extortion or falsely accusing anyone of wrongdoing. So we see how the message of repentance was spelled out by John the Baptist for the people of his time. How might we spell it out today? Giving in to sin means rejecting Jesus, as if to say, I do not need a Savior. My sinful ways will fill my needs. Imagine a drowning man holding tight to lead weights, believing that they could save him. Sinful behavior can be attractive, but when we cling to it, we cannot cling to our Savior. To hold onto sin is to say, I do not want Jesus to save me. Repentance can help turn us away from those things that might come between our Savior and us. It allows us to let go of our lead weights. It prepares us for the Savior, who forgives all our sins, heals us of all our shortcomings and gives us eternal life. It moves the sinner to say, I cannot save myself; I reject the idols I have trusted. So John preached repentance to each individual. He pointed out their sin, those things that they have clung to and now need to reject. He preached charity and fairness, too, and the good news that the Mighty One would come soon. Having prepared the way of the Lord, John would soon point out Jesus Christ in the crowd and declare: Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Let us take time today to reflect on the humility and holiness of John the Baptist. Let us see how we can learn from him as we, too, are called to help prepare the way for Jesus in our thoughts, words and actions of kindness and love.
In Service
Air Force Airman Robert J. Ryan graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits to-
ward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Ryan is the son of Maryann Ryan of Longwood Drive, Bethlehem. He is a 2010 graduate of Nazareth Area High School.
Bible Verse
"And unto man he said, behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."
1. Where is this verse found in the Bible? 2. Who is the author? 3. What land does the book describe? 4. Was Job a real person? Answers: 1. Job 28:28. 2. The author is unknown. 3. The Arabian desert, southeast of Palestine. 4. He is mentioned in Ezekiel 14:15 and James 5:11.