Lustre News
The Lustre EMB Church held its Christmas program Dec. 21. It was called “Be Astonished!”
Pastor Wayne Hathaway began by reminding us of the women in Matthew’s account recorded in “the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” which established His right to be King. He said “Notice the word ‘BY’ when it tells us of the children born by Tamar, by Rahab, by Ruth, and by Bathsheba (twins Perez and Zerah, Boaz, Obed, Solomon), all in the Kingly line.” “But Mary is distinguished from the others.
Be astonished! Luke says ‘The Holy Spirit came upon her.’ It was God, not man that impregnated her. That is astonishing. It fulfilled what the prophets spoke in Isaiah and we can have joy in our astonishment.” He led the congregation in singing Joy to the World.
Pastor read many scriptures, illustrated beautifully on pictures. Don, Christopher and Ashtyn Traeholt sang a beautiful trio entitled Mary, Did You Know? with words “the Child you are holding is the Great I am!” Clarissa Hathaway sang Away in the Manger followed by the congregation singing
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! There’s just something about that Name.
Scriptures were read about the angels saying “Be not Afraid, you will find the Christ Child lying in a manger.” The congregation sang While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks and Go Tell It on the Mountain and Abby Traeholt sang What Child is This” accompanied by Jeanne Hathaway.
An offering was taken to be split between the Awana program and Beacon Bible Camp. O Come All Ye Faithful and For He Alone is Worthy were followed by a solo by pastor called The Birthday of a King.
Pastor Wayne based his message on II Corinthians 5:21 “He who knew no sin might become sin for us”. He said “Never forget the reason and purpose Jesus Christ came is related to Him becoming sin for us. There was the shadow of the cross hanging over the manger. Jesus was subjected to a trial that was no trial at all. When He stood before Pilate, He remained silent before His accusers, and only when Pilate asked Him if He was the King of The Jews, did he break his silence with ‘It is as you said.’” He cried out ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ On the third day He rose. He is the All-Knowing One, our Great High Priest. He died once for all that we might have life. Scriptures tell us He pleased his parents as He grew. It is quite appropriate that his first miracle was at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus is no longer a babe in the manger. We who know Jesus will share in the wedding supper of the Lamb. Until then, ‘the joy of the Lord will be our strength’. Be astonished!”
