LW Baptist
Just before Christmas is Advent (coming), and LW Baptist celebrates the birthday of the king all month. Sunday worship begins at 10 a.m., after Sunday school at 9:15.
Advent is an expectant time, preparing for and celebrating Christ’s nativity and watching for Christ’s return at his second coming, the two advents the Gospel revolves around. Luke begins his Gospel describing the First Century events that led to Christ’s birth and the calendar’s change. He cites two of the eight most ancient Christian hymns, the Magnificat and the Benedictus. The virgin Mary exclaims the Magnificat’s words while visiting her elderly relative Elizabeth, six months pregnant with infant John the Baptist. Mary enters and greets Elizabeth, whose baby leaps in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaims Mary blessed as the Lord’s mother. Mary responds, “My soul magnifies (hence Magnificat) the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” The women spend three months together, sharing their stories and faith in the Lord.
After John the Baptist’s birth, at his eighth-day circumcision, his father, Zacharias, praises God with these words, “Blessed (hence Benedictus) be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people,” fulfilling the Jewish nation’s hope in the Messiah (Jesus).
The midweek Energizers group is currently studying Psalms prophecies of Jesus the Messiah and meets at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
Call (562) 430-8598 for more information on the church.
