New Years Bulletin (1-2-22)

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by  Pastor Terry Reese

The Glorious Christ of the coming New Year

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed,
for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I
will help you, I will uphold you with My
righteous right hand.”—Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

Valley Grace Brethren Church
of Armagh, Pennsylvania

Sunday, January 2nd, AD 2022
The LORD’S Day
The Second Day of January, in the Year of our Lord 2022

Welcome to the worship services of Valley Grace Brethren Church!

Sunday School—9:30 AM.
This week our studies on various perspectives
regarding the Christian’s role in civic affairs brings us
to the “Significant Christian Involvement” viewpoint.

Morning Worship—10:30 AM.

Call to Worship:* “Bless His Holy Name” (#8).

Invocation.*

Hymn: “O God, our Help in Ages Past” (#48).

Prayer for Tithes & Offerings.

Scripture Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12.

Prayer, Praises, & Testimony.

Special Music: Rocky Barley (“Joyful Melody”).

Announcemnts.

Hymn: “A Shelter in the Time of Storm” (#180).

Dismissal of Youth for Children’s
Church.

Greeting One Another.

Message: “HELP IN THE CRISIS.”

Closing Hymn:* “Heaven Came Down and
Glory Filled my Soul” (#183).

Benediction.*

*The Congregation will please arise, if able.
Pastor: Terry L. Reese
Blog: https://reesepastor.blogspot.com
Phone: [phone]; Cell: [phone]
Church: [phone]
Address: PO Box 178; Armagh, PA 15920
Facebook: @valleygbcarmagh
Web: https://valleygbcarmaghpa.webs.com
Downloadable audio mp3 messages at archive.org (@reesetpje)
Also check out our YouTube Channel (search “Terry Reese”)!
Camp Mantowagan website: https://www.campmantowagan.com

Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study—4:00 PM.
Our studies in Daniel ch. 4 this week continue with King
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of the Great Tree.

Today’s Verses for Reflection:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”— Ps.46:1

Week of Dec. 26-Jan. 1
Sunday School—6; Morning Worship—12
Midweek—3; Christmas Eve—25
Church Offering: $449.55

At age 19, the great Puritan theologian began a consistent habit of writing
down his New Year’s resolutions. Below is a small but a flavorful sampling of
many worthy of our reflection and emulation!

RESOLVED, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory…
RESOLVED to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and
advantage of mankind in general. RESOLVED to do this, whatever difficulties I
meet with, how many and how great soever. RESOLVED, to be continually
endeavouring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the
aforementioned things. RESOLVED, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to
neglect to keep any part of these resolutions, to repent of all I can remember,
when I come to myself again.

RESOLVED, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or
more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can possibly
avoid it. RESOLVED, to live with all my might, while I do live. RESOLVED, never to
lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
RESOLVED, never to do any thing which I should be afraid to do if it were the last
hour of my life. RESOLVED, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I
come to die.
On the Christianization of Time
By Pastor Terry L. Reese, Valley GBC of Armagh

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son…”—Gal. 4:4
Many people have questions regarding the traditional manner in which
Time has come to be reckoned and are confused by the variety of
designations that are currently associated with the dating of years.

The traditional BC/AD convention employed for the dating of
years arose when the monk DIONYSIUS EXIGUUS (c. 470–c. 544)
developed a new system of chronology, numbering years
with reference to the Incarnation and Birth of Christ. He did
so in the conviction that this unique act of God was the axis-
event—or turning point—of the ages. Popularized by the great Christian
scholar known as the VENERABLE BEDE (C. 672-735) and adopted by the
Emperor CHARLEMAGNE, this system soon became the standard for of all
of Christendom—and ultimately, with the dominating influence
Western Culture, for most of the rest of the world as well. The term BC
means “Before Christ,” whereas the abbreviation AD represents the
Latin phrase “anno Domini,” which means “in the Year of our Lord.”

Dating time in this manner presumes several key propositions:
1.) Jesus is the CHRIST, or Messiah;
2.) Jesus is LORD;
3.) Jesus’ birth is the central dividing-line that rightfully partitions all
of human history, dramatically separating that which came-before
from that which came-after.

Sadly, in this day-and-age of rabid secularism and advancing political
correctness, such a convention has undergone strong challenges in
recent years. In recent years, it has become conventional in both
domestic and international circles to employ the initials BCE (“Before
Common Era”) and CE (“Common Era”). This less “offensive”
designation has now become the standard in many academic, cultural,
and media centers throughout the world. Textbooks, museums, news
organizations—and even some nominally “Christian” groups—have
jumped upon the Common Era Bandwagon in an attempt to
demonstrate an alleged “cultural sensitivity” and “de-Christianize” Time.

Despite the World’s best efforts, however, Jesus Christ is still God’s
Messiah, still the Sovereign Lord over Time & Eternity, and still stands as
the Author and Ultimate Purpose behind all things (Col. 1:16)!