Weekly Virtual Worship Service and Announcements – November 26, 2023
Welcome to the Langley Avenue Church of God Website!
Our Sunday Worship Service will begin at 11:00 a.m.(CST). You can view the livestream service on our website, Facebook, or YouTube Channel.
2023 Theme: OUR GOD LEADS! Theme Scripture: “He..leadeth me…” Psalm 23:2
Joy to the World The Lord Has Come! Let Earth receive her King!
Do You Need Prayer?
Join Langley’s Prayer Line…The Langley Prayer Line is staffed by Langley Avenue COG ministers and prayer team members. Note the available day and time for prayer:
Monday prayer 6:15 AM – 6:45 AM and 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
Wednesday prayer 6:15 AM – 6:45 AM and 11:15 AM -12 Noon
Friday prayer 6:15 AM – 6:45 AM
Call in with prayer requests, to connect, to pray together and for any other needs.
Let us shelter under the mighty wings of God.
Langley’s Prayer Line:
1-267-807-9495
Access code: 471-150-100#
Ways to Give
Postal Mail– Langley Avenue Church of God, 710 E. 62nd St., Chicago, IL 60637
Zelle – langleycog@att.net
Announcements:
Christmas Cantata Opus 25. You are cordially invited to attend the Glenn Edward Burleigh’s Cantata Opus 25 featuring The Born to Die Mass Choir and Friends. These Sunday Performances will take place:
December 3, 2023 (4 PM) at St. Timothy Community Church (1600 W. 25th Ave., Gary, IN 46404)
December 10, 2023 (4 PM) at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church (1259 W. 111th St., Chicago, Il. 60643)
December 17, 2023 (4 PM) at Canaan AME Church (801 S. 14th Ave., Maywood, Il. 60153)
Adult Sunday School Resumes every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM. The Bible study leader will welcome you as you learn more about the Bible. Join members and visitors as they go into an in depth study each week.
Join us for our Weekly Bible Study at 7:00 PM for a lively discussion and rich lessons that apply to our daily lives. Conference call: Fellowship 7:00 -7:15 p.m. Bible Study 7:15 PM. 1-712-832-7000, Access code: 7041808#.
Langley’s In-Person Worship Services
You are welcome to visit and worship with us in-person or virtually. Invite your friends and family. Masks are optional. If you are ill please be mindful of others and remain home.
Free COVID-19 rapid tests
Beginning September 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. Before You Throw Out “Expired” Tests: Check FDA’s website to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended. Order your free test at https://www.covid.gov/tests or if you need help placing an order for your at-home tests, call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
The Allstate Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Holiday Train & Bus are in town! The schedule is as follows: Orange Line – 12/2; Brown Line – 12/2; Red Line – 12/5, 12/7, 12/9; Purple Line – 12/6, 12/8, 12/9; Pink Line – 12/12, 12/13; Blue Line – 12/14 & 12/16. For the schedule and additional information visit: https://www.transitchicago.com/holidayfleet/.
Joy to the World, the Lord has Come!**
The lyrics of Joy to the World* are based on Psalm 98, which speaks of God’s salvation and return.
The plans of God were not finished in the The Bible gives a lot of reasons for joy. It says there is joy in obedience, and joy in the special moments of life like weddings and the birth of a baby. If you look at the all the verses about joy, you’ll find that there is joy in wisdom, and in justice, and in the fear of the Lord.** There is joy in this walk with the Lord!
The plans of God were not finished. Not yet. The Lord HAD come, and He had conquered sin and death, but there were still many who belonged to God who had not yet come into His presence to experience the joy found there.
Because of His great love for us, God brought Jesus to earth for a time, giving each of us the opportunity to be saved. But this time, He wasn’t leaving the world with the aching absence of His abiding presence.
This time, He sent His Holy Spirit to take up residence in our hearts. He indwells in every man, woman, boy, and girl who will repent of their sin and turn to Him. And it didn’t just bring GREAT joy to the world. The Bible tells us that God, too, delights in His abiding presence among His people.
Zephaniah 3:17 – For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with JOYful songs.
The JOY of Salvation***
That’s right, our salvation brings joy, not just to us, but to God. When we repent of our sins, and turn to Him, the chasm that separates us from Him (which is created by our sin) is removed and we are once again free to enter His presence. Our Joy in Christ is captured in Psalm 70:4 – But may all who search for You be filled with JOY and gladness in You. May those who love Your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!”
Of course, the Bible also talks about the joy we have, as believers, to share in Christ’s suffering. It talks about having joy, even through trials. From the outside looking in, that seems a little crazy. But when we’re right down in the middle of God’s abiding presence, it makes a whole lot of sense.
Because, the deep down truth about the joy we have as followers of Christ is that it just isn’t about this place. Our joy comes from our confident hope in the reality that we WILL spend eternity… ETERNITY, you guys, in the presence of God.
What a glorious day that will be when we are welcomed into the presence of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for all eternity!
Philippians 4:4 – Always be full of JOY in the Lord. I say it again – REJOICE!!!
Save The Date:
The 2023 National Inspirational Youth Convention (NIYC) will be held in Houston, TX, Dec. 27-30, 2023.
The theme is Real Love. Register today and plan for an exciting time with your youth group. For more information on registration and scholarships for youth, visit NIYC.org A link to the hotel reservation site will be emailed to the primary contact upon receipt of registration. The cut-off date to reserve your room is December 14th at 11:59 PM.
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Credits:
Photos from Unsplash and NIYC.
*Joy to the world, the Lord has come! 25 Verses about Joy
**Joy To The World Lyrics
***Walking in the Fear of the Lord – His Dearly Loved Daughter Ministries