CHRIST’S BIRTHDAY OBSERVANCE AND OFFERING - December 21, 2014

                                                       

For years in the Church of God Reformation Movement we have done a tradition during Advent called “Christ’s Birthday Observance.” Here is a little history.

Q: What is the Christ’s Birthday Observance?
A: The Christ’s Birthday Observance is a tool to help your church begin the journey of Advent with prayer, devotion, and celebration.

The December 23, 1950 Gospel Trumpet recorded the words of the Woman's Missionary Society President, Ocie Perry: "For some time there has been a feeling on the part of many Christians that the Christmas festivities were not Christ-centered. . .we have forgotten the Christ whose birthday we were celebrating."

The women, in cooperation with Church of God World Service, pledged themselves to underwrite the World Service budget for 200 hours with prayer and money in the first year of the Christ's Birthday Observance.

Sixty years later, Christian Women Connection carries on the work of the former Woman's Missionary Society in developing, promoting, and conducting the Christ's Birthday Observance.

Today, our goals remain the same:

· Focus our attention and devotion on Jesus Christ, our Messiah.

· Encourage prayer support for the entire world and specifically all the countries in which the Church of God exists.

Collect an offering in support of the Church of God World Ministries Budget.

Churches and individuals across the country participate in this offering of prayer, devotion, and financial support each year. If you would like to participate, you too can pray for and support the ministry of the Church of God around the world.

Q: Why should our church participate in the Christ’s Birthday Observance?
The Christ’s Birthday Observance brings focus upon Christ during a season which is filled commercialism.  Since 1949 the Church of God around the world has focused on the birth of Jesus through devotion, prayer, and by giving generously to the Christ’s Birthday Offering. Join churches around the world as we share the great story of Christ’s birth to the world!

God bless you as you pray and participate in the Christ’s Birthday Observance here at the Liberty Street Church of God.

Pastor Bruce