Welcome to 12:13!

Welcome to 12:13! Need to use the bathroom? Ask a parent volunteer. Need a handout from last week? Need to borrow a pen? Loan us a shoe and we will loan you a pen! Need to talk with your friend? Wait for the right time...you will.

CAROLS, COCOA, AND COOKIES! Sunday, December 21 - 5-9PM Meet at Flower Hill Community Center at 5PM Sing Christmas carols and give out tracts and Christmas Eve invitations to 500 homes! Return to church (Events Center) at 7PM Christmas Cook-off Competition Hot cocoa and cider Fun and games Cost: $3/person Bring a friend!

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH Sweetly singing o’er the plains And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains Glo------ria in excelsis deo

AWAY IN A MANGER Away in a manger no crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head The stars in the sky looked down where he lay The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

Part 2: Stuck in the Swamp of Despondence Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2: Stuck in the Swamp of Despondence

A Jeering Crowd “All my friends are waiting for me to slip…” (Jeremiah 20:10) “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12) A cheering “cloud” (Hebrews 12:1)

Obstinate’s Objection And leave our friends and our luxuries behind us? “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) Away with your book! Will you go back with us or not? “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Steps For My Path

Pliable’s Persuasion If what the good Christian says is true, the things he follows after are better than ours. My heart is inclined to go with him. I’ve arrived at a crossroads. I intend to go along with this good man and unite our fates and fortune. Do you think the words of your Book are absolutely true? “God…never lies” (Titus 1:2)

Into the Swamp Not paying attention Scum and filth of condemnation Is this the happiness you’ve been telling me about all this time?… If I get out alive, you will enter the fine country without me!

A Helping Hand “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” (Psalm 40:2)

Gospel Steps Thru The Swamp Are you more aware of your sin than of your Savior? “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance… He will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:3-4)

Pliable’s End Steps For My Path Why did Pliable give up so quickly and turn back? Carried along by someone else’s faith No burden; no personal conviction of sin And so I heard no more of Pliable. “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” (Hebrews 10:39) Steps For My Path