Here are some backgrounds we created for Christmas Eve this year. Click the pictures to see and download the full collection via Dropbox. There is a blank slide that you can customize with whatever you’d like as well as slides for each of the majors parts in our service. If there’s a slide missing that you’d like to see added, drop me a comment and I’ll see what I can do to get it added in.
These files may be freely distributed under the Creative Commons Non-Commercial Attribution License. Please link people to this blog post when sharing the files. You may also be interested in the Lessons and Carols set that uses the same basic design, but has some added text headings. I also have a Christmas set that we use for Christmas Day through Epiphany.
If you use them in your church, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Here are some backgrounds we created for Lessons and Carols this year. Click the pictures to see and download the full collection via Dropbox. There is a blank slide that you can customize with whatever you’d like. There are also slides for each of the majors parts in our service. If there’s a slide missing that you’d like to see added, drop me a comment and I’ll see what I can do to get it added in.
These files may be freely distributed under the Creative Commons Non-Commercial Attribution License. Please link people to this blog post when sharing the files.You might also like the Christmas Eve set that uses the same design as this one, but with additional titles. I also have a Christmas set.
If you use them in your church, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
We’re having a baby this March. There’s much excitement at our house about this, especially Addison. She just can’t wait to meet her baby sister: Piper Noelle Christ. And while there’s great excitement about meeting Piper, there’s also the reality that we will functionally be half-dead zombies from lack of sleep for the first few months. Unless, of course, Piper is like the “Away in a Manger, Verse 2” Jesus:
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;
Ummmm…. OK. No crying? From what I know of babies, there’s not a lot of “no crying” going on when they wake up. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this weekend through song, Scripture, and drama, consider this: That first Christmas was not nearly as neat and tidy as many carols make it out to be. In fact, quite the opposite is true.
And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7
The birth of Jesus was loud, messy, and painful. These verses ignore Joseph and Mary’s exhaustion from the long journey, only to arrive and find there was nowhere to stay. There’s nothing about the anxiety Joseph must have felt as he tried to make the stable comfortable for Mary, only to realize Jesus was coming. And of course, there’s Mary’s own discomfort (to put it mildly) as she gives birth.
No, Christmas is not neat and tidy—but neither are we. It was on that day, over 2,000 years ago, that Jesus stepped into our messy, sinful world, surrounded by messy circumstances. But what a beautiful mess it would become! The long-awaited Savior had finally arrived, and He remakes our messy selves into forgiven, beautiful children of God. “Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, Close by me forever and love me, I pray.
God has reserved the gift of sex for the marriage relationship, but we break this commandment in more ways than just having sex outside of marriage.
Read Exodus 20:14
Underline: You shall not commit adultery.
Write: “6th Commandment” or “6C”
The Gift of Sex
Read Genesis 1:27-28, 31a
Underline: Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth
Write: Sex is a gift
Sex is a gift given by God to a married couple—husband and wife. God commanded Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply, in order to fill the Earth. However, as with many of the gifts of God, there is a right way and a wrong way to use His gift.
What is forbidden in the 6th Commandment?
Read Genesis 39:6-10
Underline: nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?
Write: 6C: Sex outside marriage is sin
Read Matthew 19:6-9
Underline: What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.
Write: 6C: Divorce is sin
Read Matthew 5:27-28
Underline: everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Write: 6C: Think pure thoughts
Read Romans 1:24, 26-27
Underline: exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature
Write: 6C: Homosexuality is sin.
This Commandment deals with our sexual or intimate relationships with others. We see very clearly from Genesis 39 that sex is reserved for marriage alone. God never intended for man and woman to have sex outside of the marriage relationship because there are many negative consequences for doing so. This includes sexually transmitted diseases, but also emotional and psychological pain and hurt that comes from sex outside of marriage.
In addition to sex, however, this Commandment talks about other ways we break this Commandment. Divorce, all too common in our culture, is one of those ways. We also learn from Matthew 5 that the very thoughts we have about others can be impure and break this Commandment. This includes viewing pornography or imagining what it would be like to have sex with some guy or girl that you know. God also forbids the practice of homosexuality in this Commandment.
While sexual sins are prevalent in our society today, they are just as bad as any other sin in the eyes of God. Thankfully, there is forgiveness for each of these sins, just as there is forgiveness in Jesus for all sin.
What is commanded in the 6th Commandment?
Read 1 Corinthians 6:18
Underline: “Flee from sexual immorality.”
Margin: 6C: Avoid Temptation
Read 1 Corinthians 6:18
Circle: sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talk crude joking
Underline: thanksgiving.
Margin: No! Yes!
Instead of focusing on sinful desires of the flesh, we avoid situations that will sexually tempt us. Instead of focusing on the sings of the flesh, we focus on the things of God and ask Him to help us resist this temptation.
God has forbidden murder, but also hate towards others, abortion, and more. He also commands us here to protect the life of others and care for their well-being.
Read Exodus 20:13
Underline: You shall not murder.
Write: “5th Commandment” or “5C”
What is forbidden in the 5th Commandment?
Read Numbers 35:16-21
Underline: “the murderer shall be put to death.” (in verses 16, 17, 18)
Write: 5C: Don’t Murder!
Read Jeremiah 1:5
Underline: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you
Write: 5C: Abortion = Murder
Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Underline: You are not your own; for you were bought with a price
Write: 5C: Suicide = Murder
Read Matthew 5:21-22
Underline: But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment
Write: 5C: Hate = Murder
Read 1 John 3:15
Underline: Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer
Write: 5C: Hate = Murder
In the Old Testament, it was clear that murder was wrong. While that is still true today, this Commandment deals with so much more than simply the physical act of murder. This Commandment is about the preservation of life both physically and emotionally. While murder and physical death are clearly understood to be forbidden here, God also commands that we protect the life of unborn children, as well as our own lives. Jesus expands our thinking on murder to include not only the physical act, but also hating someone and wishing harm on them.
What about war? Is that murder? Is it forbidden?
Read Romans 13:4
Underline: For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer
Write: War OK for Government
While individual killing is forbidden by this Commandment, war is not. The government is God’s instrument to bring judgment and punishment to those who are wicked. As a Christian, it is OK to participate in the military or even in active warfare on behalf of the military, provided the war is just and not contrary to God’s desires. After combat ends, however, it is the Christian’s obligation to provide medical care to those in need who were injured in the conflict. As always, we remember Acts 5:27-29, that “we must obey God rather than men” above all else!
What is commanded in the 5th Commandment?
Romans 12:20
Underline: if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink
Margin: 5C: Care for others
Ephesians 4:32
Underline: forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Margin: 5C: Forgive Others
2 Corinthians 7:1
Underline: let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit
Margin: 5C: Healthy Living
Rather, in this commandment, we are called to protect life and speak out for those who are not able to protect their own lives. This means taking care of our own bodies and needs, but also providing for the needs and care of those around us, just as the Good Samaritan did in Luke 10.
God has put parents in authority over us for our good. We should honor them as such.
Read Exodus 20:12
Underline: Honor your father and your mother.
Write: “4th Commandment” or “4C”
Honor Your Parents
Read Proverbs 23:22
Underline: the Listen to your father, … do not despise your mother
Write: 4C: Listen to Parents
Read Colossians 3:20
Underline: Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Write: 4C: Obey parents.
Read Ephesians 6:2-3
Underline: Honor your father and mother … that it may go well with you
Write: 4C: Honoring brings blessing
Read 1 Timothy 5:4
Underline: let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents
Write: Keep honoring parents
Honoring our parents is commanded by God, but it is also the first commandment that carries a promise along with it: When we honor our parents, good comes from it. God created the family and placed parents in positions of authority above children. This authority, however, is always intended to be used for the good of the children. We listen and obey our parents because they are God’s agents to shape and mold us into the men and women He wants us to be. Even after our parents have died, we continue to honor them by remembering what they taught us and putting it into practice. We celebrate their life and continue to thank God for the gift of parents.
Honor Authority
Read Romans 13:1-2
Underline: whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed
Write: 4C: God gives us government
Read Titus 3:1
Underline: Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient
Write: 4C: God uses government
Read Romans 13:7
Underline: Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed
Write: 4C: Obey the government
Read Acts 5:27-29
Underline: We must obey God rather than men!
Write: Obey God first.
In addition to parents, God has placed others in authority over us. This includes the government, teachers, pastors, other adults, coaches and more. God uses these other entities and people to provide for us and we are to honor and respect them just as we would our parents. However, we remember this caution: when those in authority command us to do something contrary to what God teaches, we must follow Him first and foremost.
God is our source of rest. He calls us to a Sabbath day of rest once/week.
Read Exodus 20:8
Underline: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Write: “3rd Commandment” or “3C”
Sabbath in the Old Testament
Leviticus 23:3
Underline: the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation.
Write: OT: Sabbath = Saturday
In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was only on Saturday and could not be observed on any other day. No work was to be done on this day of any kind. Anything you needed for the day should be prepared the day before so that you do not have to work.
Sabbath in the New Testament
Read Mark 2:27–28
Underline: The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Write: Sabbath is FOR us!
Over time, people came to understand that man was made for the Sabbath. In other words, they thought God valued the Sabbath more than them. But Jesus turns this teaching upside down. In fact, the very opposite was true. God knew that we needed a day of rest and so He commanded a Sabbath day specifically because He loved us and knew we needed it.
Sabbath Today
Read Matthew 11:28-30
Underline: Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Write: Jesus brings rest.
Hebrews 10:25
Underline: not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,
Write: Worship together!
Luke 24:1-2
Underline: But on the first day of the week, … they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
Write: Easter Sunday
Today, most Christians celebrate the Sabbath on a Sunday. This is because we understand that Jesus is the true source of rest for His people. As the early church formed and grew, they chose the first day of the week (Sunday) as their Sabbath day of rest and worship because that was the day that Jesus had risen from the dead. There is no other special significance to this day over any other. The critical point is not what day you celebrate the Sabbath, but rather that you choose at least one day to set aside time to rest in Jesus.
How do we keep this Commandment?
Acts 2:42-47
Underline: And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Write: God’s Word and Worship
We continue to keep this Commandment by gathering with other believers to learn from God’s Word and to Worship together on a weekly basis. We join together to praise God for who He is and to remember what He has done for us. It is our time to be refreshed and recharged for the week ahead, and the ministry that God has prepared in advance for us to do.
God’s name is powerful and to be respected. There are right and wrong ways to use His name.
Read Exodus 20:7
Underline: You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain
Write: “2nd Commandment” or “2C”
How do we use God’s name in vain?
Read James 3:9-10
Underline: From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Write: Misusing God’s name
Read Matthew 5:33-37
Underline: Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
Write: Misusing God’s name
Read Matthew 26:63-64
Underline: I adjure you by the living God
Write: Misusing God’s name
Read Matthew 15:8-9
Underline: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
Write: Misusing God’s name
There are many ways that we misuse the name of God. Whether it’s cursing, swearing, or claiming our honest by “swearing to God!”, we regularly misuse His name. This includes phrases like “Oh my God!” or even “OMG” because we all know what it actually stands for. In addition, we misuse God’s name when we claim to follow Him, but live our lives as if He does not exist.
How should we use God’s name?
Read Psalm 50:15
Underline: call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
Write: Use God’s name!
Read Psalm 103:1
Underline: bless his holy name
Write: Use God’s name!
Read Ephesians 5:20
Underline: Entire verse.
Write: Use God’s name!
Read John 16:23
Underline: whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
Write: Pray in Jesus’ name!
God’s name is powerful and He tells us to use His name in certain situations. These include calling out to God when we are in trouble and asking Him for help or when we are worshiping Him. We are to give thanks for all things in God’s name and to pray in “Jesus’ name.” When we pray in Jesus’ name, it means that we are praying the prayers that Jesus would pray if He were in our situation. This means we ask God to show us what to pray for, then pray for that in Jesus’ name.
God desires to be first priority in all areas of your life. Nothing should come before Him.
Read Exodus 20:1-3
Underline: You shall have no other gods before me.
Write: “1st Commandment” or “1C”
Who is God?
Read Matthew 28:19
Underline: name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Write: God in Three Persons (see Deut 6:4)
Read Deuteronomy 6:4
Underline: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
Write: Not 3 gods, but 1. (see Matt 28:19)
The difficult to understand truth about God is that He is only one God, yet there are three “persons.” The Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit are all God in their own right, but they are only one God, not three. It’s similar (though not exactly!) like an apple that is made up of skin, flesh, and the core. Together it is one apple, though there are three distinct sections. The three “persons” of God each have unique roles and ministries, though they are still just one God.
Who do we worship?
Read Isaiah 42:8
Underline: my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols
Write: Worship God Alone
Read Matthew 4:10
Underline: You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.
Write: Worship God Alone
God demands our full attention. He is not content with us worshiping Him when we feel like it, or only worshiping Him on certain days. God desires to be the first priority in our life all the time. When we elevate other things to be more important than God, we are worshiping false gods.
What false gods do people worship?
Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-15
Underline: What accord has Christ with Belial?
Write: Watch out for false gods!
Read Psalm 115:4
Underline: Their idols are silver and gold
Write: Watch out for money!
Read Philippians 3:19
Underline: with minds set on earthly things.
Write: Watch out for stuff!
Read Matthew 10:28
Underline: And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Write: Watch out for people!
Some false gods are obvious like Islam or Buddhism. Others are less obvious like money, things, and people. How do know if we’re worshiping a false god? It’s all about priority. If we say we believe in God, but we are consumed with trying to gain more “stuff”, then “stuff” is our god. If we say we believe in God, but all we ever do is talk to our friends and never to God, then friends become our false god. God demands first place in our life. While friends and stuff are certainly not evil, they can get in the way when we chase those things instead of God.
How do we keep this Commandment?
Read Matthew 22:37
Underline: love the Lord your God with all your heart … soul … mind.
Margin: God wants all of me!
Read Psalm 118:8
Underline: Entire verse
Margin: Turn to God in trouble!
The way to keep this first and greatest Commandment is to put God first in all areas of our lives. This means both in the good times and the bad as we turn to Him when facing hard times.
Here’s a brief overview video I made using Jing to teach some basic tips and tricks in Microsoft Excel. The free version of Jing is limited to 5 minutes, so the video doesn’t cover much. During the video, I’ll cover:
Using Excel to automatically fill in the next months in a series.
Creating a SUM formula for a range of data in a column.
Adding a SUM formula for a range of data in a row.
Highlighting the most important information on the table, the grand total, so it’s easy to find at a glance.
If you have any questions, or other ideas to cover, let me know in the comments. You can make the video full screen (and thus actually readable) by clicking the small icon on the bottom right of the video after hitting play.
I am the husband of one and father of three. I work at First Trinity, where I help facilitate worship planning, guide our communications process and minister to Middle School students.
I also dabble in writing online and building websites.
