The Earl's Daughter

December 24, 2023

Share this Article:

Pastor Colin Smith - Arlington Heights

Luke 2:12-21 ESV

12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,


14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”


15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.



21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Connect with Us:

March 13, 2026
The Orchard Barrington shared the following testimony from Annette Wehrli. Faith @ Work: Annette has felt a growing burden for those called to the marketplace—business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders who long to live out their faith where they work.  With prayer and vision, she’s launching a new ministry to encourage and equip believers to lead with Christ at the center. This ministry will gather men and women who desire to grow in faith, share their testimonies, and lead others to Jesus through their daily work.
February 13, 2026
Submitted by Steve Bond, The Orchard Barrington. There’s an urgency senior year as parents consider their kids’ readiness to face the world views of college. In March, my friend, Matt, and I were compelled by the Spirit to not squander the chance to equip our 18-year-old sons, Grant and Ty, with Truth before their departure. We dads can unintentionally outsource the training up of our kids to preachers and small group leaders… but Solomon’s caution in Proverbs 3:1 “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments” modeled the intimate privilege and obligation Matt and I owed our boys.
January 5, 2026
Mark Wilson, a long-time business owner and faithful member of The Orchard, recently took a bold step to share his faith with his team of 50+ employees. While known for his kindness, Mark realized he had never openly shined for Christ at work. So, he hosted a voluntary lunch to share his story of faith. The impact has been incredible—sparking new conversations and inspiring others. Watch Mark’s story and consider how you too can shine for Christ. Do you, or someone you know, have a SHINE story? Let us know!