…he had no form or majesty that we should look at him…[but] surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Isaiah 53:2b, 4a ESV
…he had no form or majesty that we should look at him…[but] surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Isaiah 53:2b, 4a ESV
As a kid, when I surveyed the gifts under the Christmas tree, I assumed that the wrapping and the size of the box offered some clues to what each gift contained. I reasoned that the biggest boxes, or those that were more elaborately wrapped, would contain the most exciting and expensive gifts.
I was often wrong. Sometimes the best gifts were in the small, little-noticed boxes tucked back behind the Christmas tree.
This is the season in which we celebrate the unwrapping of the greatest gift ever given to humankind: Immanuel, God with us. This gift didn’t come brightly packaged and in a big box. Jesus was introduced to our planet in a remote and largely ignored part of the world. The heavenly chorus sang, but was only heard by a bunch of sheep herders in the outback. The Christ Child was not laid in a beautiful bed, but in a lowly feeding trough.
Jesus’ birth teaches us that God’s most precious gifts sometimes come disguised and are may be recognizable only as we look back.
Our worship schedule this coming week reflects the culmination of Advent and the celebration of Jesus’ birth. You can attend either of our two Christmas Eve services being held at 4:00 pm or 6:00 pm. Our Christmas Day worship service will be held at 9:00 am. Starting on December 25th, we will begin offering the option of partaking Communion via continuous distribution at the altar OR by using the Communion kits. Those that choose to use Communion Kits may stay in their seats during the Communion distribution.
Our doors will open 30 minutes before the start of each worship service, and you may enter from any door. As always, we ask that if you are not feeling well, please stay home and participate with us online.
On the Sundays following Christmas Day (December 26th) and New Year’s Day (January 2nd), we will have one worship service at 9:00 am. Our Contemporary worship service, Sunday School and adult Bible studies will not be meeting on those two Sundays.
You can be the hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbors in Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas who suffered the recent spate of tornadoes by donating to the Texas District’s disaster relief fund here.
You can watch the “live stream” of our traditional worship service on Sunday at 9:00 am OR our contemporary worship at 11:15 am by clicking here. And, of course, you may also participate by watching the “on demand” video of either service by clicking here. You can enhance your worship experience by viewing the traditional service’s worship folder by clicking here. Our weekly prayer list can also be found by clicking here.
Starting December 1st, Drive-up Communion is no longer offered on Saturday and Wednesday of each week. However, you may call Pastor Black at 713.229.2917 to arrange a time to receive Drive-up Communion at a convenient time.
Please take advantage of our nursery, which is now open to care for children 2 years old and younger on Sunday mornings.
We continue to be deeply thankful for the God-inspired work of our medical professionals who developed and are distributing the COVID vaccines, and who continue to care for those afflicted with this disease. Please keep the members of our congregation who serve in these capacities in your daily prayers that God may grant them strength, courage and a robust immune system.
I look forward to seeing you and your family as we experience together the joy of Christmas at Trinity.
Your Pastor,