Worship Service | Barnesville First UMC | December 29, 2024 (Pancakes and Pajamas)

Worship Service | Barnesville First UMC | December 29, 2024 (Pancakes and Pajamas)
Welcome and Prayer | Rev. Ann Mann
Hymns: "Joy to the World" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
Offertory Prayer | Rev. Ann Mann
Offertory: "O Come, All Ye Faithful" | Praise Team
Sermon: "They Hurried Off" | Rev. Ann Mann
"The shepherds in the Christmas story had one primary responsibility: to care for their sheep. It was their livelihood, their duty, and their daily rhythm. Yet, on the night of Jesus’ birth, something extraordinary happened. The angels appeared with a message that could not be ignored.The Messiah had been born in Bethlehem.
Scripture Message: Luke 2: 16-18
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
I love the shepherd’s response to this incredible news. The shepherds didn’t linger, they didn’t form a committee to assess the pros and cons of meeting the Messiah, they didn’t even stop to pray seeking further direction. Instead, they hurried to find Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
This urgency shows us something profound. When faced with the news of Jesus, they made the most important thing, the most important thing. When they heard the good news, they acted on it.
We might wonder, what happened to their sheep? Did they leave them unattended? Were they anxious about what might happen while they were gone?
The Bible doesn’t tell us, but it does tell us is where their hearts and minds were focused. They were captivated by the good news of the gospel. The presence of the Messiah outweighed everything else in that moment.
This raises a question for us church: how often do we allow the demands of life to take precedence over the most important thing? Understanding that the most important thing is our relationship with Jesus.
Like the shepherds, we all have responsibilities. But do we also have the urgency to “hurry off” to meet Jesus daily in prayer, worship, and Scripture?
When the shepherds encountered Jesus, they couldn’t keep the news to themselves. The passage says they “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed.”
Their encounter with Christ led to an overflow of joy and testimony. They didn’t return to their sheep the same way they left them; their lives were changed.
Similarly, when we prioritize Jesus and encounter Him in meaningful ways, we are compelled to share that joy with others. Our worship becomes our witness, and our testimony amazes those around us.
We learn three things from these three verses.
Examine Our Priorities
First, let’s examine our priorities. Let’s think about our equivalent of the shepherds’ sheep. What are the things in our life that often compete with time spent in God’s presence?
Hurry to Meet Jesus
Second, let’s make it a daily habit to “hurry off” to meet Jesus in prayer, Scripture, and reflection. Let nothing hinder our pursuit of Him.
Spread the Word
And third, let’s share the joy of Christ with others. Whether through words, actions, or a lifestyle of love, let our life testify to the goodness of God.
The shepherds remind us that encountering Jesus is worth leaving everything else behind. They teach us to make the most important thing, the most important thing.
As we reflect on their story this Christmas season, as we prepare to set our priorities for this new year, let us ask ourselves: Are we hurrying to Jesus? Are we letting our lives proclaim the wonder of His coming?
May we, like the shepherds, examine our priorities, experience the joy of meeting Christ and the blessing of sharing His good news with the world. Amen.
Hymn: "Silent Night"
Benediction | Rev. Ann Mann
Blessing for Pancake Breakfast | Rev. Ann Mann
CCLI # 1429402
Streaming # CSPL109421