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Devotions
SUNDAY - DECEMBER 3RD, 2023 -
TODAY IS THE LORD'S DAY! LET'S REMEMBER TO KEEP IT HOLY - LET'S BE LIKE JESUS AND FIND OURSELVES IN GOD'S HOUSE WORSHIPPING, PRAISING AND THANKING HIM FOR ALL OUR BLESSINGS. WE DON'T GO TO CHURCH TO BE SAVED AND THEN QUIT, BUT WE GO TO CHURCH BECAUSE WE ARE SAVED. ATTENDING CHURCH EACH WEEK, WITH OTHER BELIEVERS IS ESSENTIAL IN FULFILLING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD, AND OUR CHRISTIAN COMMITMENT. OUR FORMER PASTOR HAD A SAYING THAT IF YOU'RE IN GOD'S HOUSE ON SUNDAY, THEN YOU ARE EXACTLY WHERE YOU OUGHT TO BE. ARE YOU GOING TO BE "EXACTLY" WHERE YOU OUGHT TO BE? THOSE WHO DO NOT ATTEND CHURCH REGULARLY, RUN THE RISK OF FAILING IN THEIR CHRISTIAN WALK. HERE'S THE QUESTION; CAN YOU MAINTAIN YOUR CHRISTIANITY AND DEVELOP A SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT BY NOT ATTENDING CHURCH WITH OTHER BELIEVERS? IT'S A FACT, WE CANNOT DO THAT ALONE. . . WE NEED EACH OTHER. SEE YOU IN CHURCH!
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THIS WEEK'S DEVOTIONS ARE ABOUT....
"IT'S CHRISTMAS -TIME"
God is calling us in this generation to be fully alive in him. As you read these devotions, ask God how they can impact you so you can impact others. Spread the word that God is on the move in the pursuit of capturing the hearts of all men…..JUST REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO WE!
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"DEVOTION-"THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR"
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MONDAY - DECEMBER 4TH-"BECAUSE OF LOVE-"
“One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘What commandment is the foremost of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The foremost is, HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. The second is this, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. There is no other commandment greater than these.'” – Mark 12:28-31
Loving God means faith in action. If that’s the case, how do we live that out day-to-day? The answer is obedience.
Faith in action means obeying the commandments of God. That pretty much covers the first part of the scripture referenced above – to love God with everything we have. But today, we’re going to focus on the second commandment in the verse: “love your neighbor as yourself.”
“Yeah, right,” you might be thinking. “You’ve obviously never met MY neighbor.”
Well, first of all, let’s look at what the word “love” in this context actually means. It has nothing to do with feelings. It has nothing to do with emotions. This meaning of “love” doesn’t even have anything to do with liking another person. It’s a decision of the will.
But how can we love somebody we don’t even like?
Trust me, it is possible; here’s how:
Treat them fairly.
Show them respect.
Be honest with them.
Keep your word.
Show them that in spite of your differences or their irritations, you still care about them as a person.
That’s what it means to love. It’s choosing to love people, even when you don’t always like them. It’s about showing the same love and grace that God showed each one of us when He sent His Son to save us from our sins. It was out of love that Christ was born – so that He could die on the cross for you and for me.
TUESDAY -- DECEMBER 5TH- "THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS"
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” Psalm 98:4
JOY.
A word that is often associated with this time of year. A word we hear and sing in songs like “Joy to the World.” A word that represents a feeling we are expected to have during Christmas. That all sounds great and wonderful, but what if joy is not what you feel during Christmas?
What if you have absolutely no desire to think about the events and wrappings of Christmas? What if you don’t have family with whom to share your Christmas? What if Christmas brings back difficult memories? All justifiable reasons not to have joy.
HOWEVER, what if joy is a choice, rather than a feeling?
“You’re saying that I can CHOOSE to be joyful?”
YES!
You see, the joy of Christmas goes deeper than the presents, the Christmas candy, the beautiful lights wrapped around the tree – even more than being with family:
The real joy of Christmas comes from knowing why Jesus was born in the first place. Jesus was born to be our Messiah, our Savior. He came to bring us forgiveness for our sins. The coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, will always be enough to sustain our joy because He will always be worth celebrating.
So, on this day that we celebrate Christmas, let’s change the questions to:
WHAT IF…
…we boldly ask our generous God to give us joy in Him?
…this Christmas, we stop striving to do and simply allow ourselves to relax and be fully present?
…choose to find joy in Jesus, even in middle of the unresolved problems of life?
…when we pray, we simply ask Jesus to provide for needs and then actually trust Him with the details?
…as it says in Psalm 98:4, we break forth into joyous song and sing “Joy to the World” loud and strong?
Joy to the world the Lord is come Let earth receive her King. Let every heart declare Him room And Heav’n and nature sing And Heav’n and nature sing Let Heav’n and Heav’n....And nature sing!
This, my friend, is the joy of Christmas.
WEDNESDAY- DECEMBER 6TH- "CLOTHES FOR CHRISTMAS"
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me in the garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness…” Isaiah 61:10
It’s a well-known fact: Most kids don’t like getting clothes for Christmas.
Now that WE'RE older (and much wiser), WE Recognize that WE didn’t appreciate the gift of new clothes nearly enough because not everyone was as fortunate as WE WERE.
However, while we should certainly be thankful for our physical clothes, nothing compares to the incredible blessing of receiving ‘clothes’ that cover us spiritually.
Our spiritual clothes, much like the ones under OUR childhood tree, are a gracious gift. We can’t buy them. We can’t earn them. And we definitely can’t make our own “garment of salvation” or “robe of righteousness.” All we can do is humbly RECEIVE THEM
Hundreds of years later, Jesus reads these same words in a rustic, Nazarene synagogue proclaiming, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). Jesus, the Messiah about whom Isaiah had written centuries earlier, had arrived on the scene. His perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection paid the ultimate price for our spiritual clothes.
But to reject the clothes that Jesus purchased on our behalf is to fundamentally reject what the Bible says we need the most: His righteousness.
Simply put, we can’t save ourselves. The only way we can ever be declared righteous before God is through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-24). From the moment we place our trust in Him, He covers our wretchedness with His beautiful “robe of righteousness.” How amazing is that?
We have all played the part of the prodigal son countless times, wandering away from the Father’s tender care. But every time we humbly return, He runs out to meet us, calling out, “bring out the best robe and put it on him!” (Luke 15:22). The robe is an astonishing gift of mercy!
So, what does all of this have to do with Christmas?
Christmas is an annual reminder of our need to be clothed in the righteous robe of Jesus.
This Christmas, maybe it’s time for you to finally exchange the robe of your self-righteousness for the robe of His righteousness. Let the “garment of your salvation” and the “robe of His righteousness” flood your heart with immense delight and deep, abiding joy.
THURSDAY- DECEMBER 7TH - "BE GOOD FOR GOODNESS SAKE"
“For it is by grace you have been saved…not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10
There’s a lot of talk about being good this time of year. As parents, we even encourage our children to be on their best behavior and stay off the ‘naughty list.’ Why? Because Santa Claus is coming to town! And as the old song goes, “He knows if you’ve been bad or good. So, be good, for goodness’ sake.” Of course, this is all in the name of Christmas fun.
But we adults often adopt a childlike ‘Santa-mentality’ in how we approach our Heavenly Father. For example, in a recent survey of over 2,000 Christians, 52% “believe that good works will get them into heaven.” You’d expect this result from a survey of non-believers. After all, in our fallen world, it’s very common to think that as long as our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds when we die, God will welcome us into His eternal kingdom.
Before Christmas passes you by and you’re boxing up decorations once again, take some time to stare at the manger scene in your home with a fresh appreciation and childlike wonder. Celebrate this astonishing fact: when you couldn’t climb up to God by your own goodness, God, in His goodness, came down to you.
This Christmas season, motivated by the amazing, life-changing grace we’ve received, be a conduit of His goodness to a lost and dying world. You might be the only expression of His goodness that someone will see.
So, by all means, be good, not for goodness’ sake, but for Jesus’ sake, and for the sake of those around you.
FRIDAY - DECEMBER 8TH "FRIDAY"
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Final thoughts FOR THE WEEK
THANK GOD FOR YOUR MANY BLESSINGS DURING THIS PAST WEEK! ATTEND CHURCH THIS SUNDAY, IT WILL BE GOOD.......
SATURDAY - DECEMBER 9TH, 2023 - "LET'S MAKE PLANS!"
LIGGETT BAPTIST CHURCH INVITES YOU. . .
SUNDAY SCHOOL FIRST . . .THEN MORNING WORSHIP
. . .JUST REMEMBER THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU "ALL" WEEK TO DO WHATEVER YOU PLEASED, AND ALL HE ASK IS JUST ONE DAY THAT YOU SET ASIDE SOME TIME TO COME FOR A VISIT TO HIS HOUSE. COME INTO HIS PRESENCE WITH PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING - HE'S BEEN GOOD TO YOU. . .CAN YOU NOT RETURN THE FAVOR? THIS WEEKEND IS A VERY SPECIAL WEEKEND FOR YOU TO WORSHIP THE LORD!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! AND DON'T FORGET BRING SOMEONE WITH YOU!
OUR CHURCH WILL PROMOTE SUNDAY SCHOOL TO THE FULLEST. AS WE CONTINUE TO SEE A DECLINE IN SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, WE MUST REALIZE JUST HOW IMPORTANT SUNDAY SCHOOL REALLY IS TO OUR CHRISTIAN WALK OF LIFE. THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY EACH PERSON THAT ATTENDS CHURCH, SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN A SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS, AND NOT JUST THE WORSHIP SERVICE ONLY. HERE ARE A FEW REASONS WHY THAT YOU, IF YOU AREN'T ALREADY, NEED TO BE ATTENDING SUNDAY SCHOOL.
1. SUNDAY SCHOOL FULFILLS A VITAL FUNCTION IN HELPING THE CHURCH REACH ITS MISSION.
2. SUNDAY SCHOOL MOBILIZES THE CHURCH FOR EVANGELISM.
3. A MISSION IS BEST ACCOMPLISHED IN THE CONTEXT OF SMALL GROUPS - HENCE: SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES.
4. SUNDAY SCHOOL GIVES CHILDREN A SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE.
5. SUNDAY SCHOOL EQUIPS THE SAINTS TO DO THE WORK OF A MINISTRY.
6. MOST IMPORTANTLY, SUNDAY SCHOOL DEVELOPS LEADERSHIP FOR THE CHURCH. SUNDAY SCHOOL IS WHERE YOU LEARN FROM A BIBLICAL LESSON ALL ABOUT GOD'S WORD AND WHAT IT SAYS TO EACH ONE OF US.
SO YOU SEE HOW IMPORTANT SUNDAY SCHOOL IS FOR YOU? YOU MAY ASK, "WHAT BENEFIT IS SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ME?" HERE'S THE WAY YOU CAN FIND OUT - JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS SUNDAY, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO TRY IT. THEN YOU MAKE THE DECISION! THERE'S A CLASS FOR EVERYONE!
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BECAUSE HE LIVES!
SUPPOSE JESUS CHRIST HAD NOT RISEN FROM THE DEAD. WHERE WOULD THAT LEAVE US? WHAT ASSURANCE WOULD WE HAVE ABOUT ANYTHING IN LIFE? OUR CONFIDENCE? OUR THOUGHTS ABOUT DEATH? OUR HOPES? OR EVEN ABOUT EXISTENCE AFTER THIS LIFE - HOW WOULD IT ALL BE AFFECTED?
OF COURSE, IF YOU HAVE NEVER RECEIVED JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR, HIS RESURRECTION WOULD SEEM RATHER MEANINGLESS, AS FAR AS YOU'RE CONCERNED. AND GOD KNEW THAT JESUS' RESURRECTION WOULD RAISE MANY QUESTIONS. HOWEVER, THE ONLY QUESTION THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT IS: DO YOU BELIEVE HE HAS RISEN?
THIS MEANS THAT IF THE RESURRECTION HAD NOT OCCURRED, OUR FAITH WOULD BE EMPTY AND WITHOUT FOUNDATION. WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL, BECAUSE AS BELIEVERS, OUR HOPE EXTENDS BEYOND THIS LIFE, BECAUSE JESUS HAS TRULY RISEN FROM THE DEAD. THE TOMB IS EMPTY. MOST IMPORTANTLY, JESUS HIMSELF TOLD OF HIS RESURRECTION. EVERYTHING HE PROMISED OR PREDICTED HAS COME TO PASS JUST AS HE SAID IT WOULD. THE FACT THEN, THAT JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD GIVES US THE ABSOLUTE, UNQUESTIONABLE FOUNDATION FOR EVERYTHING ELSE WE BELIEVE. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS, THAT WE HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THAT OUR GOD IS ALIVE. JESUS WAS NOT SIMPLY SOME PREACHER OR TEACHER, BUT HE CLAIMED TO BE THE MESSIAH, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD. IN FACT, THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS HE CAME - TO REVEAL THE HEAVENLY FATHER, SO WE COULD UNDERSTAND WHAT HE IS LIKE. YOU MIGHT WONDER, IF CHRIST IS ALIVE, THEN WHAT IS HE DOING? HE IS SEATED AT THE FATHER'S RIGHT HAND, INTERCEDING ON OUR BEHALF. HE IS A LIVING GOD WHO CARES, LOVES, PROTECTS, AND HEARS OUR PRAYERS. HE IS A FORGIVING LORD, WHO IS CONTINUALLY ADVOCATING ON OUR BEHALF, AND WHAT'S MORE IS, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS PREPARING A PLACE FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF US WHO BELIEVES IN HIM . HE IS A RISEN SAVIOR WHO ALSO PROMISED HIS DISCIPLES, THOUGH HE WAS GOING AWAY, HE WOULD NOT LEAVE THEM LIKE ORPHANS, BUT JESUS ASSURED THEM HE WOULD SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT TO TEACH AND GUIDE EACH OF HIS FOLLOWERS UNTIL HE RETURNED. TODAY EVERY SINGLE BELIEVER IS INDWELT WITH THE SPRIT OF GOD, STARTING THE MOMENT HE OR SHE RECEIVES JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR. ANOTHER GREAT PROMISE OF THE SCRIPTURES IS THE MOST BELOVED VERSE OF THE BIBLE - JOHN 3:16 - "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE." THAT MEANS FOREVER. IRREVOCABLE 100% SURE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE RISEN SAVIOR. BECAUSE HE LIVES AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD, WE KNOW THAT HE WILL RAISE US, TOO, SO THAT WE CAN LIVE WITH HIM FOREVER. THAT IS WHY WE SING, "HALLELUJAH, CHRIST AROSE!" HE IS OUR RISEN SAVIOR!
THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
NO ONE KNOWS WHEN THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST WILL HAPPEN. IT IS PLAGUED BY MANY FALSE TEACHINGS. MANY PREDICTION BOOKS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN SAYING THE EXACT DAY WHEN JESUS' RETURN WILL BE. A MOVIE RECENTLY RELEASED, DECLARED THAT THE YEAR 2012 WILL BE WHEN JESUS WILL RETURN AND THE WORLD WILL END. THESE BOOKS AND MOVIES HAVE MISLED A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT ONE THING IS CERTAIN; NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY NOR THE HOUR THAT HE WILL COME AGAIN. ONLY GOD, THE FATHER, KNOWS WHEN THE SECOND COMING OF HIS SON, JESUS WILL HAPPEN. JESUS TOLD HIS DISCIPLES, "NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT THAT DAY OR HOUR, NOT EVEN THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN, NOR THE SON, BUT ONLY THE FATHER (MATTHEW 24:36, 40, 42). THIS IS WHY WE SHOULD KEEP WATCH. WE CAN EITHER STAY IDLE AND SIMPLY WAIT FOR JESUS' RETURN OR WE CAN BE PREPARED AND READY. THIS IS DONE BY KNOWING WHAT THE BIBLE REVEALS ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS AND COMPARING THEM TO WHAT WE SEE IS HAPPENING TODAY AND TOMORROW, NOT ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT ALL AROUND THE WORLD. THERE ARE OVER 100 BIBLE PASSAGES THAT DISCUSS THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST. HIS FIRST COMING WAS IMPORTANT, BUT FAR MORE IMPORTANT IS HIS SECOND COMING; WHY? LET'S LOOK AT THE WORD S..E..C..O..N..D.. S-SUDDEN - ONLY THE FATHER IN HEAVEN KNOWS THE VERY SECOND AND CORRECT TIME THAT HIS SECOND COMING WILL TAKE PLACE. IT WILL BE SUDDENLY. . . QUICKLY - JUST AS A LIGHTENING FLASH ACROSS THE SKY, OR THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE....IT WILL BE SUDDEN. E-ESSENTIAL - THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST WILL BE ONE OF THE MAIN PILLARS OF CHRISTIAN FAITH. JESUS WILL COME AGAIN AS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, IN ALL HIS GLORY FOR THE FINAL JUDGMENT. C-CHRIST'S FINAL JUDGMENT - AS THE BIBLE SAYS, JESUS WILL BE THE FINAL JUDGE OF THE WORLD. O-OBVIOUS - IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THERE ARE BILLIONS OF PEOPLE LIVING ON THIS EARTH. AND ONLY GOD KNOWS THE TRUE CHRISTIANS. THOSE WHO LIVE BY A SET OF IDEALS THAT THINK THEY CAN ENTER HEAVEN BY THEIR GOOD DEEDS WILL OBVIOUSLY NOT. THE BIBLE PLAINLY EXPLAINS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND LIFE ETERNAL IS ONLY BY ACCEPTING JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR. N-NO ONE KNOWS - NO ONE KNOWS THE EXACT TIME AND DAY THAT THE LORD WILL RETURN. GOD IS OUTSIDE OF TIME. TIME REALLY DON'T MATTER TO HIM. WE SHOULD NOT BE DECEIVED IN THINKING OR BELIEVING THAT ANYONE OTHER THAN GOD HIMSELF KNOWS THE VERY HOUR OF JESUS' RETURN. D-DOUBTERS BEWARE - AS THE TIME DRAWS EVER SO CLOSE TO HIS SECOND APPEARING, THERE WILL BE INCREASING AND WIDESPREAD DOUBT ABOUT WHETHER JESUS WAS EVEN REAL. PEOPLE WILL START WONDERING IF GOD REALLY EXISTS. DON'T GIVE IN TO DOUBT, REMAIN TRUE AND FAITHFUL AND GREAT WILL BE YOUR REWARD. THIS IS ONLY A GUESS, BUT HIS IMMENSE LOVE FOR US ALL IS MAKING HIM PUT IT OFF FOR YET ANOTHER DAY, BUT WHAT ABOUT TOMORROW? WILL IT BE THEN? ARE YOU READY? AS EACH DAY CLOSES AND WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR HIS RETURN YET ANOTHER DAY, HE IS GIVING US PRECIOUS TIME TO MAKE SURE WE'RE READY? PLEASE. . . BE READY AND WAITING!
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TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE TO ATTEND CHURCH NEXT SUNDAY, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A SPECIAL “NO EXCUSE” SUNDAY. HERE ARE SOME THINGS WE WILL DO TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE.
1. COTS WILL BE PLACED IN THE FOYER FOR THOSE WHO SAY, “SUNDAY IS MY ONLY DAY TO SLEEP IN.”
2.
MURINE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WITH TIRED EYES FROM
WATCHING T.V. TOO LATE ON SATURDAY NIGHT.
3.
WE WILL HAVE STEEL HELMETS FOR THOSE WHO SAY, “THE ROOF
WOULD CAVE IN IF I EVER CAME TO CHURCH.”
4.
STEEL-TOED SHOES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE WHO DON’T WANT
THEIR TOES STEPPED ON.
5.
BLANKETS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE WHO THINK THE CHURCH IS
TOO COLD AND FANS FOR THOSE WHO SAY IT IS TOO HOT.
6.
WE WILL HAVE HEARING AIDES FOR THOSE WHO SAY “THE PREACHER
SPEAKS TOO SOFTLY” AND COTTON FOR THOSE WHO SAY HE PREACHES TOO LOUDLY.
7.
FOR THOSE WHO USUALLY GO FISHING ON SUNDAY, INSTEAD OF COMING
TO WORSHIP, THE BAPTISTERY WILL BE STOCKED WITH BASS AND BLUE GILL, (BRING
YOUR OWN POLE).
8.
SUNGLASSES WILL BE IN THE PEWS FOR THOSE WHO SAY THE LIGHTS
ARE TOO BRIGHT AND MINITURE FLASHLIGHTS FOR THOSE WHO SAY THEY CAN’T SEE
TO READ THE HYMNALS
9.
THE AUDITORIUM WILL BE DECORATED WITH BOTH CHRISTMAS
POINSETTAS AND EASTER LILIES FOR THOSE WHO ONLY ATTEND CHURCH TWICE A YEAR.
10.
SCORE CARDS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO LIST THE
HYPOCRITES PRESENT.
11.
THERE
WILL BE T.V. DINNERS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO SAY THEY HAVE TO STAY HOME FROM
CHURCH AND COOK.
12. SOME RELATIVES WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE, FOR THOSE WHO SAY THEY LIKE TO GO VISITING ON SUNDAY.
FINALLY, TIME CLOCKS WILL BE INSTALLED FOR
