Calvary Bible Church of Catalina Island • 310-510-3003

Weekly Services

Sunday, December 25, 2016 • 10:00 AM

U.S. Bank Building Lobby

& The Greatest Story Ever Told • Birth of Our King — Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (which means “God living among us”). (Isaiah 7:14) “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2)

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7).

The birth of a child is always an exciting and wonderful event. When my first grandson, Jordan, was born, his entire life ahead of him seemed to be planned from the first day he arrived home from the hospital. “Look at those long fingers,” my wife Linda exclaimed, “I just know he’s going to play the piano when he grows up!” My son-in-law, the overly-excited new father, loudly proclaimed: “Look at that thick neck and sturdy legs of his. He’s going to the NFL!” All speculations aside, no one really knows what kind of life lies ahead of a child just entering the world. We, as parents, may plan and save to send our child to college, only to discover sadly one day that he or she has run off to join the circus! The birth of Jesus, however, is the one exception to the rule.

The official “birth announcement” of Jesus may be found in the Old Testament Bible book of the Prophet Isaiah. Here we are told that the Child to be born would be unlike any other. The key facets of His life were predicted in the Scriptures: where He was to be born, the circumstances surrounding His birth, the events of His early childhood, His ministry here on earth, etc. This Child who was born was destined for greatness: “and the government will be upon His shoulder. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.” (Isaiah 9:6-7) These events, foretelling the upbringing and life of Jesus, were predicted in more than 300 Old Testament prophecies. More importantly, these future predictions of the birth and life of Jesus have come true with startling accuracy: a “heavenly birth announcement” second to none

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.” (Isaiah 9:6) As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are also reminded that “a Son is given” to us. “Why did this happen?” The answer of the birth of Jesus can be found in John 3:16, within the words of Jesus Himself: “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Jesus came to earth to give each and every one of us an everlasting life of happiness with Him. The birth of Jesus truly is “The Greatest Story Ever Told!”

His Empty Tomb Is Our Guarantee of Our Own Resurrection to Life!

When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection in His new, glorified body, He told them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ (the Messiah King) to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations." (Luke 24:46-47) This is the true "gospel," the "good news" that ministers of our Lord are commanded to preach: repentance of your sins with the promise of everlasting life with Him in heaven. Your faith in this promise "comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) There is no other way to eternal life after you die. Join us this Sunday and learn what God has to say about your future, as written in His inspired Holy Word... the Bible. Become a REAL Christian... a true follower of Jesus Christ. He gave up His life that we – each and every one of us -- might have eternal life!

Paul, in his letters to the early Church, tells us that it is Jesus Christ who saves us from sin and gives us eternal life -- we do not save ourselves. Trying to be "a good person" or doing good deeds does not lead to salvation. To both Jews and pagans, Paul preached "repentance [of sin] toward God and faith [commitment] toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:21) It is only by our repentance of sin (turning away from it) and direct commitment to Jesus Christ -- not belonging to a particular religion, following a church denomination, or doing "good works" -- that changes in our life and our eternal salvation are assured. Peter tells us how easy it is to find salvation: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38) Are you ready to receive the free gift of eternal life with Jesus Christ?

& John 14:6	I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except by me.
& John 14:9	He who has seen Me, has seen the Father.
& John 10:30	I and the Father are one.
& John 14:15	You are My friends, if you do what I command you
& John 14:23	If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.
& John 15:12	This is My commandment: love one another.

Each week's study is taught by Pastor Jason Gant, bringing you the loving and living Word of God from the Bible, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse. Everyone is welcomed, and transportation is happily provided. Attendees at this Sunday's service will have the opportunity to ask their Bible questions and take part in a brief discussion period after the teaching. Our "Coffee & Carbs Fellowship" follows immediately afterwards. Please, come and join us!!

Calvary Bible Church meets each week in the front lobby of the U.S. Bank Building, 303 Crescent Avenue (at the corner of Crescent & Metropole). For more information, please call 310-510-3003. Can't join us this Sunday? Visit Pastor Jason’s new blog for answers to your questions regarding the Christian Life at www.onepastorsperspective.com. In the meantime, if you need prayer. please call our toll-free 24-Hour Prayer Line 1-866-Holy-Word (465-9967) And remember... Read the Book, Learn the Truth!

Signs of The End Times

End Times Signs Which Have Been Fulfilled Are Not Highlighted.

The End Signs Yet To Come Appear In Yellow At End of List.

Signs To Come AFTER Rapture of the Church Appear in Pink.

Hover Mouse Pointer Over Blue Links To Reveal Full Bible Verse

& Jer 32:37-41	Exiled Jews Would Return to Israel
& Ezekiel 36:24	Nation of Israel Restored (1948)
& Ezekiel 36:10-11	Israel Will Prosper and Grow Great
& Ezekiel 36:33-35	Israel's Land & Cities Will Be Rebuilt
& Zephaniah 3:9	Return of the Hebrew Language
& Isaiah 27:6	Israel Fills The World With Fruit
& Luke 21:29-31	When Israel Blooms, Jesus Returns!
& Matthew 24:14	Gospel Preached to All Nations
& Daniel 12:4	Travel & Knowledge Will Increase
& Matthew 24:6	Wars & Rumors of Wars
& Matthew 24:7	Earthquakes & Famines Worldwide
& Matthew 24:7	Pestilence & Disease Worldwide Like HIV, Bird Flu, Flesh-Eating Bacteria, Diseases with No Cure
& Matthew 24:8	Signs Appear As Birth (Labor) Pains: Earthquakes Are Bigger & Occur With Greater Frequency
& Matthew 24:9	Tribulations & Persecutions
& Matthew 24:11	False Prophets Will Deceive Many, e.g. Harold Camping's May 21, 2011 "Judgment Day"
& 2 Timothy 3:1	Godlessness Throughout The World
& 1 Timothy 4:1	Apostasy (Falling Away) of Church
& 2 Thess 2:3,6-7	Apostasy Before Rapture of Church
& 2 Peter 3:3-4	Scoffers Question Jesus 2nd Coming
& Ezekiel 38:3-5	Russian & Iranian Alliance (Occurred Nov 2009)
& Luke 21:11	Fearful Sights & Signs From Heaven
& Ezekiel 38:15-16	Russia & Iran Invade Israel from The North
& Ezekiel 38:11	Attack of Israel's "Unwalled Villages"
& Ezekiel 39:12	Nuclear Weapons Used Against & Inside Israel
& Isaiah 17:1	The City of Damascus, Capital of Syria, Will Be Destroyed in a Single Day
& 1 Thess 4:14-18	Rapture of The Church: The Dead & The Living Snatched Up To Heaven by Jesus Himself
& Daniel 9:27	Popular World Leader Confirms A 7-Year Peace Treaty Between Israel & The Arab Nations
& Rev 13:3/12	Popular World Leader Survives A Fatal Sword Assassination Attempt
& Zechariah 11:17	Popular World Leader Has Withered Right Arm & Blinded Right Eye From The Assassination Attack
& Rev 13:2-3	World Leader Becomes So Popular, The Whole World Follows Him!
& Daniel 9:27	Popular World Leader Becomes Anti-Christ, Goes Into The Temple, Declaring Himself Messiah
& 2 Thess 2:3-4	Anti-Christ Exalts Himself Above All, Declaring That He Is God & Is To Be Worshipped As Such!
& Daniel 11:36	Anti-Christ Speaks Blasphemies Against God; Rules Until Jesus' Second Coming
& Daniel 12:11	Anti-Christ Reigns For 3.5 Years (1290 Days)

Hover Mouse Pointer Over Blue Links Above To Reveal Full Bible Verse

Here's What's New!

Featured Video

Parables From The Beach

Pastor Greg Laurie

Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California has launched a series of short videos reading the parables of Jesus from the Bible, which our Lord gave to His disciples on the beach along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. These brief teachings (2 to 8 minutes in length) will give you an idea just how Jesus taught and the simplicity of His messages. Updated Parables From The Beach will be posted here each week. Click on PLAY below to watch Part 1 of these very interesting videos!

Part 1 - Parable of The Sower • 08:17 Mins

Click the PLAY Button Above To Watch Video

Featured Video

The Stethoscope

What Would YOU Hear?

This is a video well-worth seeing, and you will be pleasantly

surprised by the unexpected ending!

The Stethoscope • 02:20 Mins

Southern Hills Church of Christ, Abilene, Texas

Click the PLAY Button Above To Watch Video

Christian Internet TV Is Here!

Click HERE For The His Channel Internet TV Website

Audio Teaching Library

CBC Online Bookstore

Music by Cloud of Hope Praise Band

Christmas Blessings CD Free First Class Shipping	$15.00
Christmas Blessings CD $5.00 Priority Mail Ship	$15.00
Raising Praise CD Free First Class Shipping	$15.00
Raising Praise CD $5.00 Priority Mail Ship	$15.00

Bibles, Books, Resources

Halley's Bible Handbook

Free Shipping!

$15.00

NKJV Gospel of John

Free Shipping!

$1.00

View Shopping Cart

View Cart & Checkout

Special Audio Series For Couples

Learning how to love and respect your mate can be challenging, to say the least! In his wonderful book of the same name, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs teaches all of us (using God's own principles from the Bible) how to love and respect your spouse. This new audio book is a "must listen" for singles trying to develop a Godly relationship with a future mate, couples who have a troubled marriage, or anyone who wishes to strengthen his or her relationship.

This fascinating teaching tool for men and women alike is now available online as an audio book, read by the author, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, himself. Just click on the image of the audio book above or copy and paste the following link into your favorite browser: www.calvarybiblechurch.com/marriage.

Catalina Time & Weather

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar

Click HERE For Enhanced Doppler

Radar Images of Catalina Island

Catalina Harbor Webcams

Fox News Real-Time-Cam

Ask The Pastor

Do you have a question for our pastor? Is there something in the Bible that you are confused about? Email Pastor Jason directly by clicking on "Send Email" below. Got Twitter? Follow Pastor Jason to receive daily inspirational messages at twitter.com/PastorJasonGant.

Pastor Jason Gant

P.O. Box 92662

Long Beach CA 90809-2662

Visit Pastor Jason's Blog

www.onepastorsperspective.com

Do You Need Prayer?

Do you have a Prayer Request? Selected members of our congregation meet after each Sunday's service to pray for the needs of their families, friends, neighbors, and others. Allow us to join with you in making your request known to our Lord by clicking below! (Philippians 4:6)

Submit A Prayer Request

Sunny Catalina Island Is Our Home!

The Harbor at Avalon, Catalina Island with Its Famous 1929 Casino In The Background

Move Your Mouse Pointer Over Items In The Photo, Then Click For More Information

You Are Listening To

Cloud of Hope

Cloud of Hope "Christmas Blessings" Album

>>> Click On A Song Selection Above To Play <<<

Listen to The Raising Praise Acoustic CD

Cloud of Hope Praise Band Website

Cloud of Hope Photo

Thank You For Visiting Us!

Visit our website often, as we will be making changes and additions, all with the purpose of making your visit with us enjoyable, fulfilling and most of all, glorifying to the Lord Jesus Christ, our Living God. God Bless You!

Pastor Jason