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Announcements

Caring Christmas Tree
From now until December 17th
The Bridge Church Reno
Help us provide for those in need in our community this Christmas by participating in our “Caring Christmas Tree.”  Take an ornament off the tree in the Welcome Center, then purchase the gifts for the person or family listed on the ornament.  Return the gifts by Sunday December 17th

Starting Point Class
Sunday December 10th @ 11:30a
The Bridge Church Reno – Learning Center
If you are new to The Bridge Church this is a great place to learn all about our mission and vision and why we believe God has placed us here in this neighborhood.  You will learn all about how we are reaching our community and world, you will also have the opportunity to become a member. Please go here (https://thebridgereno.com/startingpoint) to let us know you will be joining us.
 
Discovering My Ministry Class
Sunday December 10th at 11:30a
The Bridge Church Reno - Conference Room
If you have said yes to Jesus and have started a relationship with Him then you have been given at least one spiritual gift. This class focuses on discovering that gift as well as how you can use your talents, abilities, and past experiences all together to serve God.  In this class we will develop your personal ministry profile and work towards discovering how God has uniquely shaped you to further His Kingdom.  Please go here (https://thebridgereno.com/discover) to let us know you will be joining us.
 
Christmas Choir Performance
Sunday December 17th 
The Bridge Church Reno
Our choir has been hard at work practicing for a special Christmas performance.  Come hear their beautiful voices sing and tell the story of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.  This will be a great Sunday to invite friends, neighbors, and co-workers to this special presentation.
 
Christmas Eve Services
Sunday December 24th
The Bridge Church Reno
This year Christmas Eve falls on Sunday.  We will not have a morning service, instead we will have two Christmas Eve candlelight services in the evening at 3:00 and 4:30pm  This is a great opportunity to invite family and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Kids Kingdom News
Our Christmas Celebration was a huge success.  Thank you to all those who volunteered .  We all help make memories.  This Sunday is our Christmas Shilling Store.  Everyone will be buying gifts for someone else.  This time we do not shop for ourselves,  Christmas Eve the children will be singing on stage.  We will sing Silent Night During the candle lighting.  Of course our candles will be battery operated.  Please let me know if you will be here for both services or just one.  Have a great rest of your week. – Ms. Terry

Message Notes

Joseph, God With Us  in Our Confusion

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel, which means God With Us!
Isaiah 7:14
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew 1:18–25

Joseph’s Confusion
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18
Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
Matthew 1:19
Scott McKnight a NT scholar talks about this in his book the Jesus Creed. “
Being known as a "righteous man" meant you were admired and looked up to. That you were someone who mattered, someone others wanted to be like. Joseph wanted to not only know but also follow God's law.  He would never be involved sexually with Mary before marriage and never treat her wrongly in any way.  He was committed to doing things right.  He was tsaddiyq. a righteous man”

Joseph’s Courage
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew 1:20–25
  1. Take the Rejection/Misunderstanding of Others.    
  2. Gave Up His Independence.  
  3. Admit He Was a Sinner  

Jesus Became One of Us Because He Loves all of Us!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here

Small Groups Talk About It

Watch the latest Message Summary:

  1. What’s your favorite Christmas movie?
  2. When it comes to the Christmas Story, do you believe Joseph or Mary had the most challenging situation to face?  Why?  
  3. Have you ever had a time when your hopes and dreams were crushed?  What were you feeling and how did you respond?
  4. Read Matthew 1:18. How do you think Joseph found out about Mary?
  5. Read Matthew 1:19. What do we learn about Joseph in this passage? How important was “being righteous” to Joseph?  What do we learn from how he approached righteousness in this situation?
  6. Read Matthew 1:20-25. Why did the angel’s appear now? What stands out about the message to Joseph?  What was Joseph’s response to the angel’s message?
  7. How did Joseph’s obedience cause him to face rejection?  Have you ever faced rejection beause you obeyed Jesus?  
  8. How did Joseph’s obedience lead to him losing independence?  Does following Jesus today mean we give up our independence?  Read and discuss Luke 9:23.
  9. Do you believe admitting you are a sinner takes courage?  
  10. Where can we find the courage and motivation to follow Jesus today? 
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here