What a joy it was to see our church packed both Saturday and Sunday evenings with hundreds of visitors for the Christmas musical. On Sunday evening, we had many extra chairs set up, and there were still people in the lobby watching by video.

The musical presentation was The Voices of Christmas, and it highlighted the prophecies of Christmas before Christ was born, the very first Christmas, and what Christmas means to us today. Before the last choir song, I preached a salvation message and gave visitors an opportunity to receive Christ as their Saviour. We praise the Lord for the many guests who trusted Christ both evenings.

In my message, I pointed out four of the voices of Christmas that we may hear: (more…)

The annual Christmas musical at Lancaster Baptist Church is our Christmas gift to our community. Our choir, orchestra, and drama team work tirelessly every year to produce a musical that highlights the birth of Christ and the gift of salvation.

Our church family works diligently to knock on thousands of doors, inviting the community to come. Members also invite friends, neighbors, and co-workers to come to the musical where they will hear a clear Gospel message.

This year’s musical is The Voices of Christmas. Among the many voices crying out for attention, we pray that many visitors will hear the true Voice of Christmas and trust Jesus as their Saviour this weekend!

(You can view the musical via livestream at lbclive.tv both Saturday night and Sunday night at 6:00 pacific time.)

Christmas is one of the easiest times to invite people to church! But in the busyness of the Christmas parties, programs, and preparation, it’s all too easy to lose this golden opportunity to lead others to Christ.

As you help your children with their church Christmas programs, encourage them to invite unsaved friends, relatives, and neighbors to attend so they can hear the Gospel.

As you spend time with family and friends, be looking for opportunities to tell them of Christ and the difference He has made in your life. (more…)

Merry Christmas!  It is my prayer that God has blessed you, your family, and church family with a wonderful, Christ-centered day!

Perhaps you heard that certain portions of California received a good snow storm a few days ago.  Needless to say, it caused everything to stop for a few days here in Lancaster.  I thought I would send you a few pictures of our neighborhood and some of the local area here in Lancaster.

As we think about this Christmas day, we are reminded that Christ was delivered to the world as God’s gift to man.  Luke 2:6 says, “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” Not only was Christ delivered to the world, but the Scriptures teach He was delivered to minister to the world.  Acts 2:22 says, “He was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.” His ministry was powerful and personal in our midst.  I am thankful that He was willing to “make himself of no reputation” and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was willing to be “…made in the likeness of men.”

Finally, He was not only delivered to the world and delivered to minister in this world, but He was ultimately delivered to the Cross for our sins.  The Bible says in Luke 18:32–33, “For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.”

There was never a more “special delivery” than when Jesus came to this world and ultimately died for our sins.  We certainly have much for which to be thankful today!

As we look forward to the New Year, we realize that there are many challenges facing God’s people today.  We see uncertainty in the economic world, compromise in the Christian world, and corruption in the political world.  Yet, God’s Word speaks to every issue we will face in the days ahead.  It is my prayer that the updates from Lancaster Baptist Church or the comments on current events you will receive through this daily blog might be a blessing and an encouragement to you.  Thank you for your steadfastness for our Saviour.  Have a wonderful day and a Christ-honoring New Year!

Thank you,
Pastor

Christmas and Kristine were the two main thoughts Terrie and I had on our minds as we spent the day together yesterday.  Terrie grabbed her purse and a bundle of coupons, and we jumped in the car early to get a head start on the shopping.  We stopped at McDonalds for our morning breakfast and drove through our beautiful desert to the shopping area.  We purchased a few Christmas presents and began obtaining items for Kristine’s wedding.

Kristine is our third child and has always had such a joyful spirit in serving the Lord.  It is hard for Terrie and I to believe it has been twenty-two years since God gave her to us and in a short week, I will place her hand into the hand of her fiancé, Jon Sisson at her wedding ceremony.

Yesterday was the day to purchase everything from garland to rice, candles and a few items for the many meals surrounding the events of next week.  We enjoyed our drive and fellowship on the trip home, as we listened to Christmas music in the car.  After arriving at home and unloading the car, our son, Matthew, came in from work.  Matt and I had the joy of spending time putting the train tracks together and getting the train under the Christmas tree.  This is one of our traditions together.

Our family has grown up much too quickly.  It seems I am understanding more and more the words of pastors gone before me who have said, “Make your family your first priority in ministry.”  Although I look back and see times when I could have done much better, I am thankful for our children and the progress they are making.  I am especially thankful at this time of the year for Kristine and God’s blessings upon her life.