Christmas in October

We went to the 7:00pm service at The Austin Stone Community Church tonight and it was fantastic. I was not a big fan to start with to be honest. It is a BIG church! Four services of which I am sure they are all as packed as the last service of the day. I have never done well with big churches. To many people for this small town girl! The time of worship (music) was okay, I didn't know the last songs they sang and they didn't do well teaching the song. Then on to the sermon. FANTASTIC! Matt Carter, the pastor, did such a great job. He did not just tell his congregation to go and be the church to the city, but told them the different ways that they could be. Ezra, Nehemiah, and Ester were the examples he gave. Which one are you he asks, then says go and do. Also, you know it is a good sermon when he has a point about Chick-fil-a and the chicken biscuit! At the end of the service they chose to sing 1 particular song that they felt summed up the sermon. Of all songs it was "Oh Holy Night," a Christmas song. I don't recall ever singing anything but the 1st verse, but this time we sang more. It is fantastic! I took the liberty of finding the lyrics on Wikipedia for those of you who have also never sang more than the 1st verse. Enjoy!

O Holy Night

Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angels' voices!

Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born;

Oh night divine, Oh night, Oh night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here come the wise men from Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King, Behold your King.

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

His power and glory evermore proclaim.