Month: December 2016

Preparing for Christmas Eve

On By Aaron AllisonIn CIL NewsLeave a comment

chrismtas-eve-2016-jpg

Christmas Eve is almost here! Don’t panic! Instead of stress and hurry, make a decision right now to enjoy the next few days. Slow down a little bit. Have some meaningful conversations. Soak it all in.

Also, make plans to attend one of our Christmas Eve services. We will have services at 3:00 and 4:30pm.  Nursery will be provided through age two. The Christmas Eve service is part of our spiritual formation as His people. The Advent season has been building us towards this celebration. Please invite anyone not part of another congregation to this inspiring and faith-building experience.

This Sunday (December 18) is important, too.  Our Covenant Partners will have the chance to ratify Ched Heiss, Tommy Hollinden, Chip Johnson, and Roger Shea to the Leadership Board for 2017-2018.

Also, there will be a Men’s “Drop-In” Fellowship in between services in the Living Room (from 10:10-10:40am). Ben Cordray and Ched Heiss will have coffee and donuts to share.  This is something new we are trying to connect our men more. All guys, plan to stop by and say hello and meet other men of our church.

I’ll be preaching week four of Advent, as we look to the theme Adore. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

December is special!

On By Aaron AllisonIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

What a special time of year December is!   Make sure you attend one of our services this weekend at 9:00am or 10:45am, as we focus our attention on Jesus Christ through the Advent season. I have felt God’s anointing on these messages as I prepare.  The Word of God is so powerful!  These Scriptures we are preaching from during Advent point us to a greater future with Jesus.

Who can you invite to CIL this month?  We have invitation cards that tell people about both our Advent and Christmas Eve services.  What a great opportunity to share our life-changing message with our friends and family.

chrismtas-eve-2016-jpg

Come and celebrate the Savior’s birth with a Christmas Eve service at CIL.  Through Christmas carols, communion and a message from Scripture, you will be re-focused on what Christmas is all about.

We will have two services that start at 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.   The services will each be one hour long. There will be no services on Sunday, December 25, so make sure you attend one of our Christmas Eve services for your weekend worship.

Tennessee tragedies point us to the Eternal

On By Aaron AllisonIn Current Events, DevotionalLeave a comment

gatlinburg-fires-burn-smoky-mountains-threaten-dollywood-force-evacuations-video

There have been difficult times in Tennessee in recent days.

The deadly bus crash in Chattanooga (November 21).
Gatlinburg fires (November 28).
Tornados on Tennessee-Alabama border (November 30)

In this world of both environmental tragedy and human evil, we need a refuge and eternal perspective.  That place of security is not a location or institution. but the person of Jesus the Christ.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
creator of light and darkness,
to you be glory and praise for ever . . .
May your word be a lantern to our feet
and a light upon our path
that we may behold your coming among us . . .
As we walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
may we call upon your name,
raise the cup of salvation,
and so proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come in glory.
                              – Daily Office, Evening Prayer, December 2