December 15, 2012 - Church at Worship

Sermon: "A Tale of Four Cities – Chapter Three: Ramah" - Randy Roberts

Advent Call to Worship: Ryan and Heather Lauer

Pastoral Welcome: Shawna Campbell

Child Dedication: Quinn Cordelia Lee, Everett Noble Schilt - Randy Roberts
Sofi a Nikolaeva Mirtchev - Randy Roberts

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:16a,17–18, TNIV - Amelie Cadavid

Sermon Notes:

Christmas. The word brings warm memories, fond expectations, and joy to many.
But to others it brings loneliness and sorrow. Those who have experienced loss will
be quick to tell you that the holiday season is one of the most challenging times of
the year. The lights and music outside mock the darkness and sorrow inside.

Does the age-old Christmas story offer hope to such? Or, at an even more basic
level, does it even understand such sorrow?

Visiting the cities of Advent takes us today to a little-known town named Ramah.
In Ramah, there is a deep understanding of sorrow. Notice this line, quoted in
Matthew’s Advent account, that is drawn from the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice is
heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning.…”

Clearly, the residents of Ramah knew something of sorrow. Might they also know
something of hope? We’ll find out today.

May God’s gracious comfort be yours.

Randy Roberts
Senior Pastor

Note: baptisms and child dedications are listed in the extras section in the DVD