In order to prep the floors for new carpet, Central needed to migrate our herd to pews to different grazing areas.  Here's the video of the process.

On May 31st Central Baptist will host Kit Ripley, an American Baptist Missionary in Thailand.  Kit is doing some wonderful work with young girls who have been affected by human trafficking.  You can follow Kits updates via her International Ministries site - please remember Kit, and the girls she works with, in our prayers.
Kit will be sharing during the Sunday School hour (9:15) and preaching during morning worship (10:30).  Please join us!
 

The prayer known as the "Phos Hilarion" (gladdening light) dates back to the 3rd or 4th Century CE.  It was a hymn meant to be sung at the setting of the Sun, as the lamps of the evening were lit.  In a world without the bright electric lights we enjoy today darkness seemed to almost overwhelm human existence.  Yet, in that moment where the darkness of night might lead to despair this prayer was sung as a way of saying, "The light of our Triune God shines even in the darkness."
It's Triune nature is evident in the words, equally praying the Father, Son, and Spirit.  The verb "hymn" means "praise."  This use goes back to the book of Psalms where song marked "hymns" were songs of praise for the glory of the Lord.  In a sense, a "hymnal" is a "book of praise."
For the remainder of Advent, say this prayer with with your family in the evening, and allow the Light of God to brighten the darkness.  There is an excellent contemporary version that you can download through Amazon, a more traditional version is also available.