Announcements
THANK YOU: Words can not express our thanks and gratitude to our Open Door Family during my Mom’s illness and home-going. Your loving prayers, cards, and encouragement were a comfort to us. We give a special thanks to Pastor Rick and Pastor Brian, who visited and prayed with my mom during her illness. What a blessing our church family is. Donna & Carl Baker
THANK YOU: The Good Shepherd Class and Staff would like to extend our sincere thanks to Eli & Troy Fenton, and their helpers, for the delicious Christmas luncheon they prepared and served to the Good Shepherd Class on Sunday, December 7. We would also like to extend thanks to all the Church of the Open Door members who donated food. It was a real treat for our class, and everyone enjoyed it!
OPEN HOUSE: for the young adults will be held on Sunday, December 28, after the evening service, at the home of David Roberts (1723 Clear View Rd., Union Bridge). If you have any questions, please see David.
REMINDERS FOR THIS WEEK: Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held this Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m., and there will be no Master Clubs or Nursery available for this night.
From My Heart
Since we experienced a winter storm last Sunday, we decided to postpone the Christmas Cantata until this evening at 6:00 p.m. I sure hope you will plan to be here to enjoy the beautiful story of Christmas, told to us through song and narration. This is a great time to invite folks to come with you to church. We are trusting the Lord to bless us richly, and I hope you will be here.
Last weekend, several shooting sprees took place around our nation, as well as in other parts of the world. Islamic Terrorists are once again growing more and more brazen in their efforts to gain martyrdom! In Islamic doctrine, if one dies fighting for the cause of Islam, he goes to Heaven to be rewarded with 72 virgins. Isn’t that just like Satan to make “heaven” a place that rewards the lust of the flesh? The Quran calls these 72 virgins each martyr is said to receive, “the dark eyes.” The European Jews who came pouring into Israel after WW II came with blue, hazel, and light brown eyes, but most of the Jews who have lived in the land of Israel for centuries have the most beautiful eye color, and their eyes are hauntingly dark! So, basically, what Mohammed was saying is their reward for martyrdom is 72 virgin native Jewish women - “the Dark Eyes!” How wicked and fleshly is this religion!
The Islamists have basically taken over England, and Sharia Law is being enforced in many of the major cities. This is being accomplished by immigration on a massive scale. The same can be said of most European nations and cities. Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, and on and on - the list includes most of Europe. They infiltrate, they build Mosques, and then they intermarry with the nationals, and in most cases, about 10-15 years is all it takes for Islam to dominate a culture.
And this same thing is happening in America, right before our eyes! Recently, the Mayor of Minneapolis announced that the city now belonged to the Islamists. He warned non-Muslim people to leave them alone! This cannot be allowed to happen, or soon America is going to be where Europe is today. In my opinion, the United States is only about 10 years behind Europe. We'd best wake up, or we are going to find ourselves governed by Sharia Law.
Have a wonderful day and have a very Merry Christmas!
Pastor Norris