Bill’s Bestowals:

“What’s in a Name?“

“‘… She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins.’

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel’ — which means, ‘God with us.'”

(Matthew 1:21-23)

How did you come to have your name?

In modern days, names are normally assigned to children based solely on parental preference.  Parents simply bat names back and forth until they find one that they can agree on, and that is what goes on the birth certificate.

There is nothing wrong with that approach, of course, but that isn’t how it was in ancient times!  In those days, names weren’t a matter of preference so much as a matter of nature.  A person’s name would reveal something significant about who they were, or who they were to become.  It a perfect world, the name would actually express the true nature of its bearer, so that to know the name would actually be to know the person!

Check out Matthew 1:21-23 above.  Isn’t it interesting that Jesus is given two names in a matter of three verses?

• First, “Jesus.”  Literally, this name means “The Lord Saves.”  Before He was born, God expressed the true nature of His child, for Jesus is, indeed, the One through who salvation comes!
• Second, “Immanuel.”  The text itself shares the literal interpretation of this name: “God with us.”  And it came to pass.  God was “born” into this world, and He came to live and dwell among us.  With the coming of the Holy Spirit, Immanuel’s presence remains with us always!

As Christmas approaches, let’s remember the incredible gift given to us.  This saving, present God is truly the “reason for the season!”

Merry Christmas!               Pastor Bill

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December 2025 Calendar:

Sunday:                     Fellowship Hour at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.

Worship at 11 a.m.

Wednesday:            LIFT at 5 p.m.

Dec. 4:  Worship Committee Meeting – 5:45 p.m.

Dec. 6:  Presbyterian Women’s Meeting – 10 a.m. at New China

Dec. 9:  Building & Grounds Committee Meeting – 10 a.m.

Dec. 9:  Session Meeting & Christmas Party at the home of Wes Stiefer – 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 9:  Ladies’ Corner Gathering – 6 p.m.

Dec. 16:  S.F.A. Committee Meeting – 1 p.m.

Dec. 16:  Ouachita Strings Christmas Concert – 7 p.m.

Dec. 20:  Ouachita Strings Christmas Concert – 7 p.m.

Dec. 21:  Fellowship Potluck Meal – follows Worship

Dec. 21:  Christmas Caroling – follows Potluck

Dec. 24:  Christmas Eve Itinerary:

4 p.m. wassail (fellowship hall),

4:30 p.m. prelude music,

5 p.m. worship

Dec. 30:  Fellowship Committee Meeting –1 p.m.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:

6 – Charis Seitz                               23 – Hailee Pullen

6 – Emery Broyles                          25 – Garrett Lundberg

6 – Charles Cox                               26 – Delta Reed

11 – Wes Stiefer II                         28 – David Spurgin

15 – Niles Smith                              28 – Ann Glenn

16 – Willam Gorsuch                    30 – Alice Rains

17 – Jimmy Murphy                      30 – Alice and George Rains Anniversary

SERVING THIS MONTH:

Ushers:                                             Chuck Schroyer & David Spurgin

Communion Preparer:                 Delta Reed

Communion Servers:                   Leon Myers, Garrett Lundberg,             Annette Hays,

                                                            Earl Harrell and Linda Murphy

SPECIAL COLLECTION SUNDAYS:

Dec. 7:    Personal Care Collection

Dec. 28:  Goodland Academy