Celebrating the Savior's Birth, Luke 2:1-20

Luke 2 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus ^{(A) [a]} that the whole empire ^[b] should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while ^[c] Quirinius was governing Syria. ^(B) 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, ^(C) 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him ^[d] and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord ^(D) stood before ^[e] them, ^(E) and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ^[f] 10 But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, ^(F) for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 today a Savior, ^(G) who is Messiah ^(H) the Lord, ^(I) was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: ^(J) you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a manger."

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, ^(K)

and peace on earth ^(L) to people He favors! ^{(M) [g] [h]}

15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. 17 After seeing [them], they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things ^[i] in her heart ^(N) and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God ^(O) for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

Update of Prayer Request - O'Dell Family send words of encouragement to theodells4@bellsouth.net

Please pray for Heather O'Dell and her children and family. Her husband Chris, passed away this past weekend.

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This is prayer request from Bobby Simms in our office for a friend here in Cartersville. The O'Dell family that attend Cartersville First Baptist. Some in our church or SS Class may know them. Please lift them up in prayer Lee
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From: Bobby Simms I met and became friends with Chris & Heather O'Dell at the Baptist Student Union when I was in college with them @ UGA. They definitely had a positive influence on my life. After graduating, they moved to the Cartersville area and are members of Cartersville First Baptist. Chris developed cancer about 6 years after he graduated(2002), and has been battling it ever since. Below is a recent update I received about Chris' condition. Please their family in your prayers. Sincerely, Bobby Simms Commercial Lines Marketing Director Harry Daniel Insurance

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From: Charter BSU To: Fellow UGA BSU/BCM Alumni,

Chris O'Dell (1996), member of Cartersville First Baptist, has cancer throughout his body. He's been fighting it for over 5 years and doctors have told him there is nothing more to do. He and his wife, Heather Rae Gibbs O'Dell (1995) have four children, the oldest being seven. Chris has truly inspired many lives as he has battled this disease in its various forms. His faith has been amazing! Please pray for him and his family as they continue to walk this path that God has given them and as they continue each day in the fulfillment of His purpose for their lives. If you would like to send them some words of encouragement you can send them an email to theodells4@bellsouth.net . Below is an update that we received on June 29th from Heather:

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Hey everyone, it's Heather. I can't tell you enough how much we appreciate all the prayers. Throughout the past five years we have been covered by prayer from so many that we know that is how we are still going and standing strong in faith. Each of you are a HUGE part of who we are today. THANK YOU!!! Chris is about the same. He is still working on an update, it is going very slow. He is so dizzy that his brain isn't working as fast as it used to. The steroids he is on to keep the swelling of the brain tumors down are muscle debilitating. This has caused him to lose all strength in his legs, so he is having trouble getting up from low places. He is walking very slow and tenderly due to no strength and being dizzy, but he is still able to get around some. We spoke with Hospice today and they are going to come out twice a week to check on him. They are also getting us some of the equipment we need to help him continue to do the things he needs to do around the house and to continue to get out and about everyone once in a while. We are still standing strong in faith and continue to have a peace beyond our comprehension. Love Chris & Heather .....I know, my updates are so boring....I'll try to do better next time. :-)

Needs - Candy Needed for the Ukraine

From: Kendra Wade <kkwade@mindspring.com >

Hey guys,

We need hard candy for Ukraine. If you come across any good deals on hard candy pick up a bag for Ukraine.

If you find some if you could bring it church this and next Sunday it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys for ALL your support as a church for the Great Commission.

In His Service

Kendra

Event - Men's Breakfast and Devotional 7/15 (Sunday)

All men, please remember the Men's breakfast and devotoinal Sunday 7/15 in the Gym at 7:30. We will be finished at 8:30.

Sunday School Event - Dessert Fellowship / Couples Shower for Ellen Lassiter and David Floyd

Vivian and Tommy Culpepper will be hosting a Dessert Fellowship-Shower on 7/21 at 7:30pm at their home. More details to follow. Please mark your calendar.

Prayer Need - Jean Brumbelow - Diagnosed with Cancer

Please pray for Jean Brumbelow. She was diagnosed with cancer just last week. Stage 1. She is the mother of a new employee at Harry Daniel Insurance, Beth Hendrix.

Prayer Need - Doris Rogers - Taken to Hospital Sunday

Doris Rogers - Mrs. Rogers was taken to the hospital yesterday and at first they thought she was having mini strokes. Now they think it may be related to her thyroid. She is still not doing good. Please keep Mrs. Rogers in your prayers.