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Advent Devotional 2021
The Gospel of Luke

Day 26
Thursday, December 21th
Read Luke 23

Picture

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 (NLT)​

Forty years ago Cheryl and I were a young couple attempting to go to seminary, pastor two small Churches, and raise our young family. Money was tight so we decided, instead of buying Christmas gifts, we would make them.  
​

That is a good idea, if you are talented, like Cheryl. (She made the robe that I wore for my seminary graduation, my ordination, and on those occasions when I wore a robe in the pulpit, it was the one she made.)  

I, on the other hand, attempted to make a pair of sconces that would match our bedroom furniture . . . attempted . . . but failed. The stain I chose was close to the color of our bedroom furniture, close but far enough off that it looked off.  And, as I attempted to use the router . . . that didn’t go well. And the mirror I attempted to attach . . . got snugged down a little too tight. In fact, my attempt was so poor I ended up buying her something.

Some gifts given are fantastic. Other gifts given are . . . less so. But the greatest gift given has to be the gift of Jesus.

In Luke 2, we discover that he came to be the Savior of the whole world. In Luke 19, we learned that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. And in Luke 23, we are told that our salvation came with a great cost, his life, poured out on a cross.

Many of us have good memories of Christmases. My greatest memory is the remembrance that Jesus came to do whatever needed to be done, so we could be saved.  That is the greatest gift ever given, the greatest gift you will ever receive. 

Pastor Bob Collins


Prayer focus: Someone you know who does not know Jesus 
Community prayer focus: Ministries focused on teens in our community, prayer for volunteers and for hearts changed to follow Jesus

Hymn: The First Noel

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep


Noel Noel Noel Noel
Born is the King of Israel


They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night


And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far
To seek for a king was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went


This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay


Then entered in those wise men three
Full rev'rently upon the knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense


  • © Words: Public Domain
  • Music: Public Domain​

Picture
Centenary Church
1911 Toyon Ave.
Corner of McHenry/Tokay
​Modesto, CA 95350
Church Office: (209) 527-5441
Fax: (209) 527-3230
Email: ​centenary@centenarychurch.net
Picture
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  • Home
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      • Pastor's Corner
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    • Teens
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  • Adult Ministry
    • Jesus and Coffee
    • Men's Ministry
    • Women's Ministry
    • Choir
  • Resources
    • Preschool
    • Devotionals >
      • Lent Devotional 2023: The Gospel of Matthew >
        • Day 27 - Promise Keeper
        • Day 26 - Who Am I
        • Day 25 - The Messiah
        • Day 24 - New Thing
        • Day 23 - Abundant Life
        • Day 22 - Have Faith
        • Day 21 - Miracle
        • Day 20 - Courage
        • Day 19 - Share the Love
        • Day 18 - Kingdom of God
        • Day 17 - Choose Him
        • Day 16 - Why Use Parables?
        • Day 15 - Growing
        • Day 14 - Unity
        • Day 13 - Criticism
        • Day 12 Life Change
        • Day 11 A Cup of Cold Water
        • Day 10 Jesus is God
        • Day 9 Good & Faithful
        • Day 8 Good & Faithful
        • Day 7 Lord's Prayer
        • Day 6 Lists
        • Day 5 Beatitudes
        • Day 4 Temptation
        • Day 3 Prepare the Way
        • Day 2 Follow the Star
        • Day 1 Geneology
        • Introduction to Matthew
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      • Lent Daily Devotional >
        • Day 2: Pointing the Way
        • Day 3: Follow Me
        • Day 4: Transform the Ordinary
        • Day 5: Who has Authority?
        • Day 6: God So Loved the World
        • Day 7: Worthy of Worship
        • Day 8: Everyone
        • Day 9: Signs & Wonders
        • Day 10: Rejected & Despised
        • Day 11: Do Nothing On Your Own
        • Day 12: Don't Let Go
        • Day 13: "I Am the Bread of Life"
        • Day 14: Adjusting my Expectations
        • Day 15: Learn by Doing
        • Day 16: God's Anointed Messiah
        • Day 17: We Are All Sinners
        • Day 18: I am the Light of the World
        • Day 19: Jesus is God
        • Day 20: The Work of God
        • Day 21: Hard Hearts
        • Day 22: Abundant Life
        • Day 23: Eternity With Him
        • Day 24: An Ultimate Purpose
        • Day 25: A Purpose Fulfilled
        • Day 26: A Choice to Make
        • Day 27: For This Very Reason
        • Day 28: He Proved His Love For Us
        • Day 29: Secure and One with the Father
        • Day 30: Love One Another
        • Day 31: The Way, the Truth, & the Life
        • Day 32: Order to Our Chaos
        • Day 33: Remaining
        • Day 34: You Are Never Alone
        • Day 35: Never Alone
        • Day 36: In His Will
        • Day 37: What did Jesus Pray For?
        • Day 38: Jesus Prays
        • Day 39: Complete Unity
        • Day 40: Peter's Worst Day
        • Day 41: My Kingdom is Not of this World
        • Day 42: For the Joy Set Before Him
        • Day 43: It is Finished
        • Day 44: You are Loved and Accepted
        • Day 45: Doubting Thomas
        • Day 46: Gone Fishing
        • Day 47: Follow Me
      • Advent Devotional 2021 >
        • Advent - Day 28
        • Advent - Day 27
        • Advent - Day 26
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      • Summer Daily Devotional Acts >
        • Intro Summer Daily Devotional
        • Acts - Day 53
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    • A Look Back at Centenary
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    • Food Bank Sunday
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    • Operation Christmas Child
    • Gospel Mission
    • Little Free Library
    • Neighborhood School Partnership
    • Thrift Shop
    • World Relief
  • Giving