This week, Pastor Bobby continues the series of messages for the season of Advent with today’s message, “Keep Watch – Take Heart!”

Nita Whitaker is a singer, songwriter and author. She has worked with David Foster and has performed with some of the industry’s greatest names including Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion. Today, Nita performs, “Silent Night” (comp. Franz Xaver Gruber; Joseph Mohr. arr. Nelson Kole). Nita is accompanied by Nelson Cole on the piano and Dr. Marc Riley and the Hour of Power Orchestra.

Directed by Albert McNeil, the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers have been together for 40 years, and have performed in over 70 countries around the world! Today, the group sings, "Wonderful Counselor" (a Negro Folk Spiritual; comp. Jester Hairston).

The Hour of Power Orchestra is directed by Dr. Marc Riley. They perform, "Sinfonia (from the Messiah)" (comp. G.F. Handel).

Richard Rivale is a talented, young musician who attends Shepherd's Grove High School. Richard performs “Winter Classics,” a medley of Christmas songs (arr. Richard Rivale).

Film - Ed’s Story – “Healing.” In the seventh film in the Ed’s Story series, Ed Dobson talks about tragedy and what little control we have over life; we are always at the mercy of something other than ourselves. Ed shares that perhaps acknowledging this lack of control is the key to really understanding the notion of healing. Ed is pastor emeritus of Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan and serves as a consulting editor for Leadership magazine. He holds an earned doctorate from the University of Virginia and is an author and speaker. His story through films can be viewed at www.edsstory.com.

In this week’s spiritual discipline, Pastor Bobby encourages us to practice silence: no cell phones, no laptops or emails, no social media, no talking. When we go into a place of silence, God can speak to us. So this week, give your ear to the voice of the Lord.