Catalyst Church - Pendleton, IN

Unwrapping the Carols of Christmas; Silent Night

The song was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, in present-day Austria. A young priest, Father Joseph Mohr, had come to Oberndorf the year before. He had written the lyrics of the song "Stille Nacht" in 1816 at Mariapfarr, the hometown of his father. The melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, schoolmaster and organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf. Before Christmas Eve, Mohr brought the words to Gruber and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniement for the Christmas Eve mass. Together they performed the new carol during the mass on the night of 24 December.

 

The original manuscript had been lost. However, a manuscript was discovered in 1995 in Mohr's handwriting and dated by researchers to c. 1820. It states that Mohr wrot the words in 1816 when he was assigned to a pilgrim church in Mariapfarr, Austria, and shows that the music was composed by Gruber in 1818. In 1859, the Episcopal priest John Freeman Young, then serving at Trinity Church, New York City, wrote and published the English translation that is most frequently sung today.

 

In this weeks sermon, Pastor Daniels continues the sermon series of "Unwrapping the Carols of Christmas" with a scripture from Luke 2:10-15 about a silent night observed by shepherds who would be witness to the birth of Jesus Christ.

Unwrapping the Carols of Christmas; Away in a Manger

Away in a Manger is a Christmas carol first published in teh late nineteenth century and used widely throughout the English-speaking world. Although it was long claimed to be the work of German religious reformer Martin Luther, the carol is now thought to be wholly American in origin. No matter its origin, Away in a Manger is perhaps the most fitting carol for Christmas not the gold or the glitter. Chrstmas is neither the wrappins nor the trappings. It is the story of God humbling himself to become a bby. Born in a very crude manger yet sent to save a world. The simple story of Away In A Manger could not be more apropos to begin this series. So in keeping with what I would call the simplistic fram of the manger, the teaching this morning comes from two simple verses found in the Gospel of Luke 2:6-7.

The Benefits of Generosity, II Corinthians 9:10-15

Generosity has the amazing power to change the context in which it is diplayed. It can change the heart of the person who displays it, it can change the circumstances of the person who receives it and it can change a church and its community when they reciprocate its benefits and blessings.

Hidden Treasure

What God has offered us in Christ is greater than anything we could ever imagine. It cannot be purchased, earned, or inherited. It is free, yet it costs us everything. When we decide to follow him, everything we are and everything we have become His. But, it is worth all that and so much more.

Money: Why it matters to God

A compass ceases to function properly when it loses its true center. The result is that the person following the compass often ends up going in the wrong direction. Christ instructs us to check our inner compass regarding money and wealth in our lives. Failing to do so can cause us to lose our way as believers. Some of the questions Jesus quizzes us on regarding money are: Is it our master, does it cause us worry and is it what you see first in your life? These are critical questions that, in many ways, determine the direction of our lives.

Building Kingdom Relationships

God desires to make a Kingdom difference by the way we build relationships with others in the normal routine of life. In the final week of the "How to Live Like Sent People" series, Pastor Rolland Daniels shares simple relationship building tips from Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians 2. 

The Integrity of How I Live My Life

There are two key factors that determine the influence of a believer's life: character and integrity. The "How to Live Like Sent People" series continues as we ask, "are we who we say we are in our faith?" Pastor Rolland Daniels brings insights from "I Thessalonians" where Paul gives us clear examples of how we should live our lives in a manner that wins the respect of those outside the church.

X Factor - How to Live Like Sent People

How does faith move from being a weekend experience to becoming the X Factor in every day life? As the "How to Live Like Sent People" series continues, Pastor Rolland Daniels brings a message from II Kings 6:11-19 about how the Prophet Elisha's engagement with an Aramean army grants us insights as to how we make this transition a reality.

One Step at a Time

Pastor Carl Addison continues the series "How to Live Like Sent People", with a message from Acts 8:26-40. Following Philip's example we learn how God can use us one step at a time to make a difference in His Kingdom.

Intimate Conversations with God

In Week of 5 of the series, "How to Live Like Sent People", Pastor Rolland Daniels shares God's promises regarding prayer and the power of engaging in regular intimate conversations with Him.