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Pastor's Blog

January 1, 2022

12/28/2021

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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.”
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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
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Sunday, December 26

12/24/2021

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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

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Christmas Communion, Wednesday, December 22, 7:00 PM

12/21/2021

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    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!
     Jesus met his goal and gave his life for the sins of mankind at Calvary.  The wafer of bread reminds us of his broken body, the juice of his blood.  Communion is a memorial service,  a remembrance of all that Jesus did at Calvary.  The physical life of Jesus began at Bethlehem and ended at Calvary.  But the story of Jesus was far from over!  Very far!  Friday was Calvary, but Sunday was Resurrection Day!!!!!!
     In recent worship services at First Assembly the Holy Spirit has been encouraging us with prophetic words of Jesus’ return.  Telling us that the Heavenly Father was faithful to keep his promises and send Jesus at his first coming, and that he will remain faithful to keep his word and have Jesus return to earth for his Second Coming.   As sure as the first promise came true, the second promise will be fulfilled also.  This is our hope and confidence.  
      Paul told us that every time we receive communion we remember his death “until he comes”.  So tomorrow night at Christmas Communion we will be doing two things.   We will be looking back with great thanks for his coming to earth to die for our salvation, and we will be looking forward with great anticipation for his return!  Amen!
      Merry Christmas
-Pastor Jeff Carico
       
     

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Sunday, December 19, “How’s Your Christmas This Year?”

12/17/2021

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    How’s your Christmas been this year?  Normal?  (Yea, sort of).  Different?  (Yes!  Different than any Christmas I’ve ever experienced!).  
     Let’s try and put this year in some Biblical perspective.  My sermon for Sunday, December 19, 10:00 AM is “Jesus Is Born!  There Is Peace, Hope and Design”.   
      The Biblical  perspective of Christmas 2021 is peace, hope and design.   Otherwise it’s a season of chaos! Our peace is Jesus.  Amen.  See you Sunday.  

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"The Christmas Spirit"

12/9/2021

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     The "Christmas Spirit".  Have you ever used that term?  You know what I mean.  That once a year feeling you get when you feel the positive excitement of Christmas.  Lights.  Gifts.  Family.  Snow.  Decorations.  All the above!  It can bring the "Christmas Spirit".  
      This week I received a text from one of our congregation members that made me very excited!  This is what it read:
"Pastor, I was thinking of Sunday and this week, how powerful scripture is.  It comes to mind 'God is with us'.   How powerful to think of that.  No matter what we face, where we are, time of day...in joy and sorrow.  God is with us, what a gift our savior gave us.  No matter the situation, 'God is with us'".  
       When I read the text my first thought was "that is the Christmas Spirit".   They get it!  They've seen the truth of scripture!  Jesus came to earth, born in Bethlehem of the virgin Mary,  to be the savior of those that will receive him.  He is there for us at all times, every day, every season, every moment!  Wow!  That's the beauty, excitement, and the wonder of Christmas.  That's the "Christmas Spirit"!
         So today I send you this word of encouragement:  God is with us.  Jesus has the time, the patience, and the compassion to listen to you today.   Yes.   Emmanuel.   God is with us.  
-Pastor Jeff Carico
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Christmas As Usual

12/3/2021

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Are you having "Christmas as usual" this year?  In many ways I'm sure you are.  Lights, trees, gifts, family.  (Money, food, travel, family stress, you know what I mean 🤣😂).

Sometimes "usual" is seen in the negative:  Boring.  Mundane.  No creativity.  
Sometimes "usual" is seen in the positive:  Comforting.  Predictable.  Settling.

Are you seeking some "usual" this year?  Is your spirit needing something comforting?  Predictable?  Settling?  Are you needing a "Christmas as usual"?

Well, here it is.  Jesus is still born in Bethlehem.  Gabriel still appeared to Zachariah and Mary.  Shepherds still saw angels in the sky.  Wise men still came to worship the new born king.  Nothing has changed, it's still as it has always been!  Comforting.  Predictable.  Settling.

Things come and go.  Trends.  Fashions.  Presidents.  People.  Pandemics!   Nothing stays the same!   Except God's Word!!!!!

Christmas as usual.   Yes!
-Pastor Jeff Carico






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    Pastor Jeff Carico

    Pastor Carico is the Lead Pastor of First Assembly.

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