Liturgy For the Opening of Christmas Presents

As Christmas Day has dawned, we all, family and friends, gather once more to open the gifts that we have given to one another. We know that the wrapping paper, latest trinkets, toys, and tools are not the reason why we celebrate this day. We do not give these gifts out of a desire to get something back. We certainly do not give gifts because it is something that we have always done. For mindless tradition is a pointless endeavor. 

We use Christmas gifts and the Christmas tree as simple symbols to remind us of Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem. We sit now and give these gifts to one another because God the Father gave His Son as the greatest gift on Christmas day. We give these gifts to one another, wrapped in bright paper, because God the Father wrapped His best Christmas gift in swaddling clothes. We now give things that cost us because the wise men who visited Jesus as a child gave Him something costly. We give out of dutiful love towards another, for it was Christ who became a baby to die for our sins out of dutiful love towards us. 

We set up the Christmas tree because, unlike other trees, it never loses its color or leaves and never fades away. In the same way Christ is life and gives eternal life. We hang lights on the tree and around our house because Christ is the light of the world that shines in our hearts and melts away the darkness of sin that once held us captive. 

So now as we open these gifts, whether they be the latest gadget, a well knit sweater, or a random object that you never had any desire for, we do it out of thankfulness towards the Lord Jesus Christ for giving Himself as a gift to us. We celebrate with these simple, material gifts in our hands because Jesus became a man in a material world, and we look forward to a time when we will look upon the face and sit around the table of the baby who grew to be the God-man who died for our sins.

Liturgy for The Person Preparing The Christmas Feast

Another year of Christmas baking, cooking, recipes, oven pre-heats, and dirty mixing bowls.

As comes the anticipation of Christmas dinner, so come the anxieties. Will the turkey be dry? Will everybody get here when the food is hot? Will I be able to make food just like my mom used to make? Or will my mom be making comments about how the food isn’t like how she used to make it? 

As guests and family cross the threshold of the house with expectations, they step into my expectations of what this feast should be like. Though my expectations for myself are high, it will not be my expectations, met or unmet, that will reign this Christmas. I will set my mind on the greatest host, The Lord who, as the Prophet Isaiah said, “And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, even a feast of fined wines, and of fat things full of marrow, of wines fined and purified.” (Isaiah 25:6). It is the Lord who will be King at this table and not my insecurities or expectations. 

So as the Lord prepares a table of fat things out of love for His people I will now prepare a table full of tasty things for those whom He has given to me. Whether it’s a recipe of my own or one I found online, I will prepare this feast with joy because The King of life became a baby so that He could one day give to me and others the greatest feast. Whether everyone can walk into a clean kitchen with carols playing in the background or dishes in the sink and flour on the counter, I will ponder the joys of the Christmas story in my heart as Mary pondered the wise men’s gifts and their worship of her son. 

So now may the feast of Christmas begin. May the flavors remind us that the grace of God is full and sweet. May we feast with joy because joy has come to the world as a baby in a manger. I will herald with mirth that “Dinner is ready” because the herald angels have sung that the King is born. 

Liturgy For Christmas Eve (Responsive Reading) Leader

On the Eve of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ we are reminded of the darkness that once was, before He came into the world. The Prophets had been silent for 400 years. The people of God had gone their own way. The great dragon ruled as he so desired–ruled in darkness and sin. 

Responders 

Lo, the night was long
Lo, has the light of God departed from earth?
Lo, the dragon rules, tears asunder, and destroys 

Leader 

Take courage ye people of God. For as the Apostle Paul spoke, when the fulness of time had come our great God executed His plan of redemption that had long been prophesied. Look ye saints of God, at dawn of the morrow the long night shall be over. For Immanuel is born. All the prophecies came to fruition in the arms of Mary and Joseph. The light of the World entered at night and shone as the light of life. Never again shall we fear the night. 

Responders 

Praise the Lord who established the right time to end the long night, Praise the Father who sent the light into the darkness
Praise the Son who was born to die for our sins 

Leader 

Though the terrible dragon raged, he could not devour the babe. Though the night was dark, it was lit by the host of heaven. Though there was no room for Mary and Joseph, the baby was still born. Though all hope seemed lost, every promise of God found its fullness in the baby of Bethlehem. We now thank you Father for the gift of Christmas. The long night is over. Winter’s cold is melted away. The curse no longer binds to the heart. For Christ is born in Bethlehem. 

All 

Praise the Lord, the long night is over,
Praise the Lord, Christ is born, let us celebrate Him and his birth as we wake on the morrow, Amen. 

with the desire to worship together… even when we’re apart

Good morning Calvary Church Family! Here are a few links that might be a help you in your time of worship this morning and throughout the week.

Music

Isaac put together a playlist of music that you can watch and sing along. Of course, there are many selections from which you can choose on YouTube, but be encouraged to be selective in your choices. Listen to the lyrics to be certain the music is teaching biblical truth and not merely christianized humanism. Music is a powerful medium God has provided for our enjoyment and His glory. Use it wisely.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb7h2q-xTYuXE88oyv6robrGVaNtbhUU_

Study

Our weekly study in the book of Romans has been a refreshment for the soul. This week will be in chapter 11, a chapter  designed to humble us as we see why God has chosen to save us. Make the effort to join us at 8:30 via Zoom. If you would like to join us, please can contact us for the details needed to do so.

Just a note…

You can access the entire Zoom study of Romans on our YouTube channel. Go to YouTube.com and type in the search Calvary Hot Springs.

Sermon

Our weekly sermons are pre-recorded and uploaded in time for you to view it on Sunday mornings. They are usually available at 6:00 Sunday mornings. Again, you can use the method just previously noted or use this link… https://www.youtube.com/feed/my_videos
This week our study is in 2 Corinthians 2:12-17, where Paul discusses the Triumphal Procession the Lord allows the believer to enjoy.

Giving

Thank you for your faithfulness in giving. Here are three ways you can give…

• You can mail it: PO Box 957, Hot Springs, SD 577472
• You can drop it by the office
• You can give online using this link… https://secure.subsplash.com/ui/access/KGNPW5#/

We continue to meet in person each week, and although it’s been sweet to be with one another, there is still a sense of an incomplete gathering. We miss being with the church as a whole, but look forward to maybe one day. But even if you are unable to join us corporately, you can still be in contact with individual members for the sake of encouragement and edification. I trust that you will.

Because of Calvary,

Pastor Matt

Whether at home or at the church facilities, let’s be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3) by setting our sights on Christ in worship and in all of life.

Take some time this morning (if not every morning) to pause in worship through the God’s revealed Word, take your brothers and sisters before the Lord in prayer, and then perhaps give one or two of them a call, just to say hi and to make contact.

Worship in Music

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Psalm 95:6–7 

Here is YouTube play list you might want to sing with…

Worship in Bible Study

Morning Study at 8:30

Looking forward to working through Romans chapter 7 this morning. Have your Bibles open and I’ll see you then!

You are welcome to join us in person at the church. If you prefer to join us via Zoom, please contact Isaac for the details.

We have posted the recordings of our weekly Zoom meetings on our YouTube channel. Be encouraged, if you have not been able to attend, to give each a listen.

Worship in Preaching

Take THIS LINK to our YouTube Channel from where you can select this morning’s message, “Because the Lord is Faithful.” The video will be available at 6:00 this morning. 

Have your Bible open to Joshua 23

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel. This will keep you updated when we post new videos.

You can also access the audio and/or video files from our website HERE.

Worship in Giving

Giving the firstfruits of our resources is a genuine form of worship, expressing thanksgiving for God’s blessing and dependance on His provision.

Missionaries are still  being supported and bills are still being to be paid. Here are a few options for giving of your tithes and offerings.

• Mail a check made to: Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 957, Hot Springs, SD 57747
• Call Pastor Matt at (605) 890-1428 or Isaac at (805) 602-2990 to arrange to drop a check by the office.
• Click HERE to give online. It will take you to a secure site where you will be able to pay by CC or eCheck. 

I trust you continue to seek the Lord in the Scriptures each and every day and that you being creative as to how you might minister to one another… albeit from a distance. Continue to pray, which allows us to minister to one another… no matter where we are.

Brothers and sisters… love one another.

Pastor Matt

Reviewed by Isaac Stanley…

I encourage anybody who has not established (or would like to strengthen) the discipline of family devotions to grab this month’s book of the month, Family Worship by Donald Whitney.

Whitney gives a brief review of the importance of establishing a regular pattern of worship in the home, challenges fathers to take the lead, and provides a simple formula for beginning and maintaining the habit.

The importance of family devotions cannot be overstated – there are eternal matters at stake – yet God’s yoke is not heavy or burdensome and Whitney wisely keeps his challenge simple. Read, Pray, and Sing. That’s it! Read a passage of Scripture, spend a few moments in prayer, and find a way to sing together. It is unlikely that any single time of devotions will seem especially profound, no doubt there will often be distractions, but imagine the legacy of those few daily moments compounded into years and even decades of prioritizing the worship of our good God!

We have a few copies of this book at the church, or you can order a copy for yourself online. The best price we found is at Westminster Book Store.

Worship in Music

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:1–51)

Here is a PLAYLIST of music that rehearses the gospel and magnifies the Lord Jesus Christ…

Worship in Bible Study

Morning Study at 8:30

Andrew Johnson is teaching Sunday School this week from Romans 3 and 4! If, by chance, we have trouble again, check your email right away for updates. If you live far away, or would otherwise like to attend Sunday School in-person, please come and join us at the church facilities.

We do not publicly post the link to our Zoom meetings, but if you’d like to join us for our study this morning, please contact Isaac for the details.

Ladies Study at 2:00

Topic: The Book of James

We do not publicly post the link to our Zoom meetings, but if you’d like to join the ladies for their study this afternoon, please contact Sheri for the details.

Worship in Preaching

THIS LINK will take you to our YouTube Channel from where you can select this morning’s message, “The Reality of a Fallen World and God’s Judgment.” The video will be available at 6:00 this morning.

Have your Bible open to Joshua 10:1-27

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel. This will keep you updated when we post new videos.

You can also access the audio and/or video files from our website: https://calvaryhs.org/resources/teachings/

Worship in Giving

Giving the firstfruits of our resources is a genuine form of worship, expressing thanksgiving for God’s blessing and dependance on His provision. Missionaries are still being supported and bills are still being to be paid.

Here are a few options for giving of your tithes and offerings.

• Mail a check made to: Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 957, Hot Springs, SD 57747
• Call Pastor Matt at (605) 890-1428 or Isaac at (805) 602-2990 to arrange to drop a check by the office.
• Follow THIS LINK to give online. It will take you to a secure site where you will be able to pay by CC or eCheck.

I trust you continue to seek the Lord in the Scriptures each and every day and that you are being creative as to how you might minister to one another… albeit from a distance.

Continue to pray, which allows us to minister to one another… no matter where we are.

Brothers and sisters… love one another.Pastor Matt

Worship in Music

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Here is a Playlist you can use to worship in music.

Worship in Bible Study

Morning Study at 8:30

If, by chance, we have trouble again, check your email right away for updates.

If you live far away, or would otherwise like to attend Sunday School in-person, you are welcome to join us! Just be sure to pay special attention to hygiene and distancing since we will be together for a longer period of time.

Take some time beforehand to read and meditate on Romans 2:6-29.

Out of caution, we do not publicly provide information regarding our Zoom meetings. However, we would love to have you join us. If you’d like the information how to join, please contact Isaac Stanley or the church office.

Ladies Study at 2:00

The ladies are studying the book of James, using notes provided by Jen Wilkin.

Again, we would enjoy your participation in this study. If you’d like information how you might join in, please contact Sheri Coleman or the church office.

Worship in Preaching

THIS LINK will take you to our YouTube Channel from where you can select this morning’s message, “The Wisdom of Godly Fear.” The video will be available at 6:00 this morning. 
Have your Bible open to Joshua 9.

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel. This will keep you updated when we post new videos.

You can also access the audio and/or video files from the recorded teachings on our website.

Worship in Giving

Giving the firstfruits of our resources is a genuine form of worship, expressing thanksgiving for God’s blessing and dependance on His provision.
Missionaries are still  being supported and bills are still being to be paid. Here are a few options for giving your tithes and offerings.

• Mail a check made to: Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 957, Hot Springs, SD 57747
• Call Pastor Matt at (605) 890-1428 or Isaac at (805) 602-2990 to arrange to drop a check by the office.
• FOLLOW THIS LINK to give online. It will take you to a secure site where you will be able to pay by CC or eCheck. 

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.Brothers and sisters… love one another.

Pastor Matt

Worship in Music

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 – Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Here is a PLAY LIST

Worship in Bible Study

Morning Study at 8:30 (NOTE the time change)

Our study this week is in Romans 1:18-32. You might read it in advance to prepare your heart. You are welcome to join Isaac at the church if you’d like.

If you’d like to join us via Zoom, please contact Isaac.

Ladies Study at 2:00

Topic: The Book of James

If you’d like to join us via Zoom, please contact Sheri

Worship in Preaching

Take THIS LINK to our YouTube Channel from where you can select this morning’s message, “Aspects of Pure Worship.” The video will be available at 6:00 this morning. 
Have your Bible open to Joshua 8:30-35
Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel. This will keep you updated when we post new videos.

You can also access the audio and/or video files from our website: https://calvaryhs.org/resources/teachings/

Worship in Giving

Giving the firstfruits of our resources is a genuine form of worship, expressing thanksgiving for God’s blessing and dependance on His provision.
Missionaries are still  being supported and bills are still being to be paid. Here are a few options for giving of your tithes and offerings.

• Mail a check made to: Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 957, Hot Springs, SD 57747
• Call Pastor Matt at (605) 890-1428 or Isaac at (805) 602-2990 to arrange to drop a check by the office.
• FOLLOW THIS LINK to give online. It will take you to a secure site where you will be able to pay by CC or eCheck. 

I trust you continue to seek the Lord in the Scriptures each and every day and that you being creative as to how you might minister to one another… albeit from a distance. Continue to pray, which allows us to minister to one another… no matter where we are.
Brothers and sisters… love one another.
Pastor Matt

Hope you have a wonderful Mothers Day!

Worship in Music

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:1, 31–32

Playlist
Call to Worship… Our Song from Age to Age

Adoration… Our Great God 

Confession/Gospel… How Deep the Father’s Love for US

Assurance… He Will Hold Me Fast 

Response/Trust…Now Why This Fear 

Worship in Bible Study

Morning Study at 8:45

Our new study in the book of Romans begins this week. You might read Romans 1:1-17 to prepare your heart.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8920933036pwd=UmgvbGJ5UWVySnVsbDJHMmFVVDBZZz09

Meeting ID: 892 093 3036
Password: 512919

Ladies Study at 2:00

The Ladies will not be meeting today.

Worship in Preaching

Take THIS LINK to our YouTube Channel from where you can select this morning’s message, “God’s Grace Extended.” The video will be available at 6:00 this morning. 
Have your Bible open to Joshua 8.

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel. This will keep you updated when we post new videos.

You can also access the audio and/or video files from our website: https://calvaryhs.org/resources/teachings/

Worship in Giving

Giving the firstfruits of our resources is a genuine form of worship, expressing thanksgiving for God’s blessing and dependance on His provision.
Missionaries are still  being supported and bills are still being to be paid. Here are a few options for giving of your tithes and offerings.

• Mail a check made to: Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 957, Hot Springs, SD 57747
• Call Pastor Matt at (605) 890-1428 or Isaac at (805) 602-2990 to arrange to drop a check by the office.
• FOLLOW THIS LINK to give online. It will take you to a secure site where you will be able to pay by CC or eCheck. 

I trust you continue to seek the Lord in the Scriptures each and every day and that you being creative as to how you might minister to one another… albeit from a distance. Continue to pray, which allows us to minister to one another… no matter where we are.
Brothers and sisters… love one another.
Pastor Matt

Following the guidelines of the Hot Springs City Council and the state of South Dakota’s “Back to Normal” plan, we intend to resume our on-site meeting at 10:00 this Sunday morning, May 10.

For your sake and for the sake of others, if you are in a higher risk group, are feeling sick, or have been in contact with someone who is sick, please consider staying at home until a later date.

If you are not yet comfortable gathering in a group, don’t worry. We intend to continue our Sunday studies online and will be posting the sermon to be available on YouTube, just as we have been doing in isolation.

Here are a few details about Sunday…

Regarding Services

• Adult Sunday Studies will NOT resume in person. We will continue to meet via Zoom. However, to accommodate those attending “in person” the service at 10:00, we will begin at 8:30 rather than 8:45. Feel free to join Isaac at the church if you would prefer to study in person for for Adult Sunday Studies. The Ladies Study will continue to meet via Zoom at 2:00. If you have not yet availed yourself to these studies, now is as good a time as ever. While the ladies continue their study in the book of James, the auditorium class will begin this Sunday in the book of Romans. These are opportunities YOU SHOULD NOT MISS.
• Corporate Worship – To allow you to keep up with our study in the book of Joshua, the weekly sermon video will continue to be posted on YouTube to view at home.Because there will be NO Little Lambs and NO nursery, the in-person gathering beginning at 10:00 will be abbreviated to conclude at 11:00.

Regarding Logistics

• We will post greeters at front door so you don’t need to touch the doorknob. If you would like to volunteer for this, please text me at 605-890-1428.
• We will be sure to have sanitizer available at various locations.
• We will place the offering plates at the back table rather than passing them.
• We will have the Communion elements at four different stations.
• We are asking you to seat yourselves in a way that allows about 6 feet between your family (or you) and others.
• We are corporately agreeing NOT TO SHAKE HANDS. Instead, we will greet one another using the Hawaiian “shaka” sign (knuckles always toward the other person). 

Regarding Grace

Without question, one of the key issues to be addressed in both personal and corporate life is how we view and relate to others who do not view the Covid-19 pandemic in the same way. This is especially true for brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who take strict measures regarding hygiene, social distancing, and such, may at times consider those who don’t as ignorant and “unloving.” Those who believe things to be “not as big a deal” as others may at times consider those who are more strict as paranoid and perhaps “lacking in faith.” The truth is, when it comes to relationships, what you believe about Covid-19 is not the primary issue. The primary issue is God’s glory through your grace in love toward one another.

We will resume our in-person gatherings this Sunday. If you disagree with this decision, I am asking you to be gracious in your heart, in your words, and in your actions. Continue to join us in worship online and pray for us to have godly wisdom as we try to prudently navigate these matters. If you choose to attend, but believe we are going over the top with the precautions being taken, I am asking you to be gracious in your heart, your words, and in your actions. Follow the guidelines with kindness, considering those around you. Wherever you find yourself in this matter, remember this – as a Christian, life is not about you. As a Christian, your life is all about God’s glory in you and through you; and there is no better place for this to be manifested than in your relationships in the body of Christ. Guard your heart! Refuse to allow our differences to divide us. Instead, give thanks for one another and rejoice that the body of Christ is made up of all sorts of people, including the weird ones.

Whether online or at the church, I hope to see you this weekend interacting with God’s people around His Word.

Because of Calvary,

Pastor Matt

Worship in Music

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? … Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Psalm 42:1–2, 5-6 

Here’s a Playlist that will aid you as you worship in music.

Call to Worship… Praise to the Lord the Almighty

Adoration… Immortal Invisible

Confession… Undone

Assurance… Boldly I Approach

Response… It is Well

Worship in Bible Study

Morning Bible Study at 8:45

Topic: Deuteronomy 19:1-13 Considering God’s view on the value of human life and civil justice.

If you have not received an invitation to our study, please contact Isaac Stanley for the proper link.

Afternoon Ladies Bible Study at 2:00

Topic: The Book of James

If you have not received an invitation to our study, please contact Sheri Coleman for the proper link.

Worship in Preaching

This LINK will take you to a YouTube video that will be made available at 6:00 this morning. Have your Bible open to Isaiah 53:11.

We will also be referencing Romans 4:3, 23-25; 8:1-4; 1:16-17; Hebrews 2:10; 4:15; 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This will keep you updated when we post new videos.

You can also access the audio and/or video files right HERE.

Worship in Giving

Giving the firstfruits of our resources is a genuine form of worship, expressing thanksgiving for God’s blessing and dependance on His provision.

Missionaries are still  being supported and bills are still being to be paid. Here are a few options for giving of your tithes and offerings.

• Mail a check made to: Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 957, Hot Springs, SD 57747
• Call Pastor Matt at (605) 890-1428 or Isaac at (805) 602-2990 to arrange to drop a check by the office.
• Give ONLINE at the link below. It will take you to a secure site where you will be able to pay by CC or eCheck.

Thank the Lord for the technology that allows us to continue to minister to one another… albeit from a distance. Continue to pray, which allows us to minister to one another… no matter where we are.

Brothers and sisters… love one another.

Pastor Matt