Tomorrow is New Year’s Day 2015. It’s a time when many like to try new skills, new styles, new places to travel.. Recently I read of a different idea, in a well known publication. The writer decided to celebrate “old things.” She spoke of old shoes, that are more comfortable, old friends who have stood the test of time, old folks who have much wisdom to share, old truths that have produced guidance and comfort. Unfortunately, many want to replace the old, old story of Jesus. with their own ideas, with such myths as “There is no God, or. “My good works are all I need to get me into heaven” But the old truth from the old Bible says “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God and the Bible also tells us that it is “By grace are you saved through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God not of works…” Jesus is the only way to heaven. He said, No one comes to the Father except through me. ”Millions have found that they can trust the old old story, of Jesus and His love. You and I can too

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Vanessa, a young woman, recently wrote the following- “…of all the holidays that I celebrate, New Year’s Eve is perhaps the most important to me. A new year marks a new beginning, a fresh start or the opportunity to start all over again. The truth is that ever since I was little I have always looked forward to this important date.” I am sure that Vanessa’s thoughts about the new year are held by many others. She speaks of a new beginning, a fresh start. And she is absolutely correct. But It is not only true about looking into a new year, in this case 2015, but also about the possibility of starting a new life. Paul the Apostle described what takes place when we recognize that we need God in our lives, and invite Christ in to forgive and cleanse and start us on the road to heaven. His words are, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he (or she) is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” In this new year, a new life is waiting for all. There’s no better time than now to begin.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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At New Year’s, many sincerely make resolutions Time Magazine has given a list of the top commonly broken Resolutions. Here are a few- Lose weight. Quit smoking. Eat a healthier diet. Get out of debt. Drink less. Unfortunately, only around 8% who make resolutions actually keep them. So it is tempting to just stop making any more. Paul the Apostle would not agree. He wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” A University President once said, “You can do anything you ought to do.” But to be able to do “all things through Christ who strengthens” us, we must first have Christ in our lives as our Savior. Then when we determine what, we “ought to do”, God will give us the ability to keep our well thought out, reasonable resolutions. Remember something else Paul wrote, “…it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Nobody seems to know for sure how Boxing Day started.. One theory is that its origins can be found in the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas," which tells about Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia, in the early 10th century, who was surveying his land on St. Stephen’s Day. Dec. 26. He saw a poor man gathering wood in the middle of a snowstorm. Moved, the King gathered up surplus food and carried it through the blizzard to the peasant’s door. It is believed that this occurred the day after Christmas. But whether this is the origin of Boxing day or not, the day has become for many, a holiday, to relax and enjoy the gifts they received for Christmas. And coming right after Christmas, it can also be a day of gratitude and contemplation, not only for the material gifts received, but for Jesus, the One who is the greatest gift of all. As Paul wrote, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift.” He gives us forgiveness and everlasting life. Have you received that Gift?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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“Silent night, Holy night. All is calm, all is bright…” “While Shepherds watched their flocks by night…” These old Christmas carols tell the story. An angel and the heavenly host praised God, and a life-changing message was given. At first the shepherds were afraid. Later, while they watched in awe, in the lowly stable, they saw a newborn Child- no ordinary Child, but God in human likeness-truly God and truly man. John wrote, of Jesus, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”And the shepherds were amazed . That night as their eyes were opened, they realized the enormity of the message.”To you A Savior is born.” Then they were activated, going everywhere telling what they had experienced. I hope that this Christmas your eyes will be opened to view this miracle of God’s love, and that you will give God your fears and accept Christ as your Savior. Only He can give us the peace we need…

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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John Richard Jepson served in the Ambulance Corp of the British army in the first world War. Recently, I spoke to his daughter Sylvia, who now lives in British Columbia. She told me that her father was present, when, on Christmas Eve, 1914, As darkness fell, some German troops set out lanterns and sang Christmas carols. The British soldiers applauded and called out greetings. The next day, German, French and British troops met to shake hands and share food. It became known as “the Christmas truce.” How wonderful that in our world, torn by wars, Jesus offers Himself as the “Prince of peace” to those who humbly accept Him. God’s Word says that Jesus , “… was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed.” By this heroic act at Calvary, Jesus made peace possible between a Holy God and sinful man. This Christmas, all can receive the greatest gift ever offered-“ peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Only two more shopping days until Christmas and you don’t have all your gifts purchased? What to give? Here are a few Christmas gift ideas from Dr. Charles Swindoll in his book, “Seasons of Life.”. Among them- Encourage an older person. Write a long overdue love note to someone dear. Release a grudge. Share a smile. Find the time to keep a promise you have made. Forgive an enemy. Give an apology if you were wrong. Offer to babysit for a tired mother. Turn the television off and talk to someone. Seek out a forgotten friend. Gladden the heart of some child. Yes, Christmas is a time for giving. God set the great example. The famous Bible verse, John 3:16 explains, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Jesus is God’s Christmas gift to all who recognize their spiritual bankruptcy and need of forgiveness and receive the Savior into their lives. Will you?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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I read recently of a five year old refugee child being shown the wonders of a large toy department store, by his foster parents. At first his eyes grew wide with wonder but gradually an expression of disappointment clouded his face. He began to search up and down the aisles. At last he burst out, “But where is the Child?” Somewhere in his past he had learned that, as our Bibles teach us, “Unto you is born this day…a Savior Who is Christ the Lord.” and that it is His birthday we celebrate at Christmas. Then, after an embarrassing silence, a discerning store official ordered a Christmas crib to be found and set up in a prominent place in the toy department. Seeing it, the little boy smiled with delight. As young as he was, he unknowingly gave a lesson to adults on the real significance of Christmas. As you give and receive gifts, please remember that He is the “indescribable gift.” to those who trust Him. Will He be in your Christmas this year?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Great efforts are being made to take Christ out of Christmas. Because of “political correctness,” many schools no longer mention the Bethlehem Baby. The old Christmas carols are seldom sung, and the greeting “merry Christmas” is often replaced with “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons greetings.” Commercialism is supplanting Christmas. But the truth of Christmas cannot be erased. The angel’s message is still as much needed today as it was on that first Christmas day, because we are just as much in need of a Savior as people were then. Paul reminds us “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Matthew wrote, “And she (Mary) shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” The message of Christmas is still true and relevant. Luke wrote, “… behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Let’s keep Christ in Christmas. He is still the reason for the season.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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“We just felt nobody should be lonely at Christmas time.” Those are the words of Ann, from British Columbia. When I spoke to her last month, she said, “As my children grew, we talked about how we did not really “need” anything for Christmas, and decided to buy things for others.” Here are just some of the ways they give. Each child chooses a charity and donates to that charity. The family gives such things as Christmas dinner for 20 needy people. They have also, through a charity given chickens to a poor family in another country. Ann continued, “We felt so good to know that we had helped others.” This family exemplifies the true meaning of Christmas.Isaiah wrote, “For unto us a Child is born. Unto us a Son is given…” Matthew explained, “And she shall bring forth a Son and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Someone once said, “It is possible to give without loving, but it is not possible to love without giving.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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