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Well, it snowed! ❄️🌨☃️ How much this winter storm will affect you will largely be determined by where you live. Some areas received greater snowfall accumulations than others, but in general, everybody got some snow!
In the early morning hours of Sunday I made the decision to have online worship only. At first it seemed as though the weather would hold off and in-house sanctuary worship would be possible. It was raining but the temperature was in the mid 30’s and things seemed very hopeful. But then, suddenly, things quickly changed. The wind really picked up speed, the rain turned into drops of ice and snow, our church parking lot became a dangerous ice rink, and the decision became obvious and easy: online worship only today. As I checked social media messages it looked as though most churches in our area made the same decision. Some churches posted that they had cancelled church for the day. I made sure I did not phrase our announcement that way because we did not cancel church, we simply moved the format! Our Worship Service was online!!! We honored and worshipped God, I preached, and I felt the presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit! We had church! God is building his church. I see it every day. I see people worshipping. I see lives being influenced and changed. I see commitment, dedication and perseverance. I see acts of love and kindness. I see obedience. I see people and families honoring the Word of God in their homes. God is building his church, I see it every day! (If you don’t see it, maybe you are in the working church. Just saying!🙂). In the last couple of years First Assembly has had to learn to adapt, make quick changes, and be flexible. But we have never stropped having church! God has never stopped building his church! Amen. I look forward to seeing you at in-house worship this Wednesday as we return to our regular worship service options. Let’s help build his church! -Pastor Jeff Carico
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Please check the following sites for our worship schedule this weekend. Any weather changes will be posted at least one hour before service time.
-Website -Church Answering Machine God bless, Pastor Jeff Carico Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!! 🌨☃️❄️ The first winter storm of 2022 has come and gone. Children and teachers have enjoyed their first vacation snow day from school, filled with sledding and making a snow man. Hot chocolate, boots, coats, gloves, snow angels, and lots of memories for all. Cars have been parked at the front of the driveway in preparation for the next morning’s drive to work. Grocery store shelves are emptied of milk, bread, and any necessity for the anticipated storm to come!
Do you like snow storms? Having grown up in a mountainous/high elevation area not too far from Bristol my winters were always a snowy experience. One of the adjustments I had to make when I moved to Bristol 30 years ago was a winter with significantly less snow in the winter season. However, I will testify that in my 30 years of residency in Bristol we have seen some significant snow storms, filled with large accumulations of snow, ice, power outages, and hazardous travel conditions. One of my favorite memories is last year’s 10 inch snow fall on Christmas! (Not to mention a couple of 24-30 inch blizzards in the 1990’s!). One of the great things about living in Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee is the opportunity to experience four distinct seasons of the year. Each is unique with it’s own amazing and beautiful qualities. The changing from one season to the next gives us something to look forward to, plan for, and anticipate. It keeps us looking forward, moving in the right direction. I like that! In reality, each season of the year shows us the inexpressible creative ability of God. Only an intelligence far beyond ours could create such a place as planet earth. If we honor God and live within his teachings planet earth can be a good place to live, willed with joy and fulfillment. I became a Born Again Christian in 1975. Since then I have certainly had some very hard times, some serious challenges (as life always brings!), but I have found Jesus to be a very good friend who will walk beside you in the challenging times. He has been my friend. He did not leave me. Because of him I also have had some very good times. Some very happy times. Yes, if we honor God and live within his teachings planet earth can be a good place to live. Take some time this winter season to see the greatness of God around you. Acknowledge him. Honor him. Worship him. Amen. 🙂 -Pastor Jeff Carico Well, it’s over! Christmas week has come and gone. Did you survive? Shew! I hope your Christmas was good!
Now we turn our attention to a new year. When you say the word “new” what comes to your mind? Probably something good. A new car, new clothes, new home, new relationship, etc.. How about the newness of a morning. I always feel better in the morning as opposed to night! One of the most often quoted scriptures of the Bible is 2 Corinthians 5: 17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” What does that mean? “We are a new creation, olds things have passed away, all things are new!?” Really! That’s a huge statement. Can anything that big really be backed up and true? Any Christian will give you the testimony that this promise certainly is true. The mercy and forgiveness of Jesus changed our heart, our attitude, our desire. Because of these changes in our heart our future changed. Things began to get better. Self-respect was restored, in ourself and from others. We got and kept a job. Our character changed, we became a good parent/child, employer/employee, neighbor, or friend. We became trustworthy. We tell the truth. Our whole future changed, it was a “new” day. Never doubt the truth of God’s Word, of what he can do in your life. He has done it for millions of others, and he will do it for you. Believe. Have faith. Be obedient. Watch what happens! -Pastor Jeff Carico We know the story of Christmas very well, but have you ever asked the question “what happened next”? All the miraculous signs of Jesus’ birth, wow, then what? Is that the end of the story? Actually, it’s not an ending at all, it’s a beginning! Next came the journey of Jesus’ life.
Just like Jesus we are also in the journey of life. Our journey has taken us to the spot we are standing in at this moment. We can’t change that, but what about our future. What’s going to shape our future? My sermon for Sunday, December 26 will be “Evaluations, Goals, Positives & Negatives, and a Plan”. I can promise you that your past does not have to dominate your future! God has a plan, His plan, for your life! You can live that plan if you will seek and serve Jesus. It will happen. Nothing can or will stop it. Nothing. It’s yours if you really want it! I’ll see you Sunday morning at 10:00 AM. It’s going to be good, because God is good! -Pastor Jeff Carico Wednesday evening we will observe our Annual Christmas Communion Service at 7:00 PM. This is a very special evening. It reminds us of why Jesus was born and came to earth. His birth was intentional, well planned and designed. His explicit purpose in life was to die on Calvary’s cross. Everything was designed with that goal in mind. His birth, his life, his ministry, everything!
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Pastor Jeff CaricoPastor Carico is the Lead Pastor of First Assembly. Archives
January 2022
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