Welcome to Eastern Hills Baptist Church
We are so glad that you decided to join us in worship today. Here at Eastern Hills we realize that we are all in different places on our journey with Christ, and that's okay. Whether you are a seeker, looking for answers, or a long-time follower of Christ, you are welcome here.

"Tomorrow, God willing, is the graceful celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour; and thus is declared a peaceful Christmas time to all, by advising devotion and to behave otherwise quietly and peacefully, because he who breaks this peace and violates the peace of Christmas by any illegal or improper behaviour shall under aggravating circumstances be guilty and punished according to what the law and statutes prescribe for each and every offence separately. Finally, a joyous Christmas feast is wished to all inhabitants of the city."

‌—”The Declaration of Christmas Peace”, accessed on 12/1/23 at https://www.joulukaupunkiturku.fi/en/christmas-city/declaration-christmas-peace

Today's Points:

1) God's peace comes in the midst of our storms.

2) God's peace defies our circumstances.

3) Peace is a Person.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appears.

‌O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer, our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.

‌O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind. Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease; Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.

‌—Hymn 175, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Questions for further discussion this week:

—What is your favorite Christmas carol, and why?
—If someone asked you to define the word "peace," what would you say?
—Have you discovered the peace of God through faith in Jesus Christ?