Prayer for All People, To the Ends of The Earth, Sweet Communion With God, 24 Christmas Songs for 2024, For Now We Wait, What is Corporate Worship, and "What Christmas Really Is"
In This Issue... 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Quotes by David Bryant and Will Davis Jr., Observations from David Guion, Caleb Gorton, and Brett Armstrong, Plus Song from Corbin Phillips and Taylor Gall
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Welcome to this issue of one24worship - Because worship is a daily lifestyle, one 24-hour day at a time, not just a weekly event.
The one24worship Newsletter is a weekly offering of inspiration, ideas, and insights landing in your email inbox every Thursday... 1-2-4: one verse/passage, two quotes, and four observations at a time.
Advent is upon us and Christmas is now just 20 days away! 🎄😳😀
I love this time of year. Almost everywhere you go, you can hear songs celebrating the birth of our Savior and King. Yes, there’s certainly the commercialization and secularization of the holiday.
But for those of us who know the true reason for the season, we have a cause to rejoice! Hope, love, joy, and peace are all now possible because of the Incarnation.
Setting out an Advent Wreath has been a part of my family’s annual tradition for years.
Our wreath includes five candles, with one candle being lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and then the final candle being lit on Christmas Day.
In our tradition, the first candle symbolizes HOPE (Isaiah 60:1-3), the second LOVE (Mark 1:2-4), the third JOY (Isaiah 35:10), the fourth PEACE (Isaiah 9:6-7), and the fifth and final candle represents LIGHT and PURITY and is called "Christ’s candle." (Luke 1:67-80; 2:1-20).
This week’s one24worship begins with an emphasis on prayer. What a wonderful way to enter this Advent Season… praying mindfully as Christmas Day and as THAT Day approaches.
Enjoy!
David
One Verse/Passage
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV
Two Quotes
David Bryant
“Prayer is the one mission to the world that all Christians can share. Through prayer any of us can directly love the unreached, even to the ends of the earth.” David Bryant
[Source: David Bryant, In the Gap: What It Means to Be a World Christian, (Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, U.S.A., Published by Regal Books, Out of Print, ©1979, 1981, 1984, page 221.)]
Will Davis Jr.
“If I limit my prayers to just the big, dramatic things in my life, I miss hundreds of opportunities everyday for sweet communion with God.” Will Davis Jr.
[Source: Will Davis Jr., Pray Big: The Power of Pinpoint Prayers, (Will Davis Jr., Published by Fleming H. Revell, ©2007, pages 51-52.)]
Four Observations
one24worship: 24 Christmas Songs for 2024 - Dave’s Annual Christmas Song Spotify Playlist
For Now, We Wait - by Caleb Gorton at ABWE.org
Excerpt: “Advent gives us an opportunity to remember the first coming of Christ and to look forward to the second coming of Christ, but it also gives us an opportunity to recognize the unity we have with all of God’s people at all times and in all places who have similarly waited for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Each has his or her own story of salvation which is rooted in the messianic work of Christ. However, each of us is equally united to the corporate body of Christ which will worship at the throne of the Lamb in glory. Advent is about waiting, and it reminds us that waiting has been a defining characteristic of God’s people from the beginning.” 👉 Read More…
FOR WORSHIP LEADERS: What is Corporate Worship, and Does It Live Up to Expectations? - by Brett Armstrong at WorshipLeader.com
Excerpt: “In essence, corporate worship is the church as a united body of believers, collectively lifting one voice to worship and praise the Triune God—the only One worthy of our devotion.” 👉 Read More…
SONG "What Christmas Really Is" by Thrive Worship & Taylor Gall - YouTube Video: What Christmas Really Is - Thrive Worship (Live)
This song included in My Annual Christmas Song Spotify Playlist at one24worship: 24 Christmas Songs for 2024 dg
CHORUS
“Hope ain’t hard to find if you’re lookin’ in the right place / Peace on earth will come with healing for your heartaches / When the year was long and you feel like giving in / Remember God so loved the world He chose to give / His only Son so you could be with Him / That’s what Christmas really is!”
Written by Corbin Phillips, Taylor Gall
© 2024 Integrity's Praise! Music (BMI), Taylor Gall Publishing Designee (BMI), Integrity Worship Music (ASCAP), Corbin Phillips (ASCAP) (all adm at IntegratedRights .com).
Until next week,
David Guion
P.S.
Sermon Notes Sunday (241201) on IG
“Jesus is either the cornerstone or He’s a stumbling block.” Brother Butch Ikels on 1 Peter 2:7-8
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