Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly.  Matthew 1.19

Christmas Decency

Who is your favorite figure in the Christmas story? Mary with her faith? The angel Gabriel with his glorious message? The endurance of the donkey that carried Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem? All of them play their part in God's reach down to us. But, I am drawn to Joseph, Mary's husband this year. Joseph, for most of us, is just a supporting actor in God's Christmas production. But, it is through Joseph's acts of decency that Christmas occurs. His kindness born out of his morality is what holds this story together.

Remember Joseph's decency when he heard that Mary was pregnant by a very suspicious sounding story? We know he was disappointed because he tried to distance himself from her quietly and without causing injury to her. Through Joseph's decency, Jesus is transported and supported into Africa and out of harms way. At anytime Joseph could have said, "not my problem," and went his way. We could say God prevented Joseph from walking out. But, God partners with people, God doesn't bully people. So we watch Joseph move through his disappointment by his decency and commitment to a righteous God. Joseph is that figure that demonstrates that the causes of God and the welcome of Jesus is not made of miracles most times. Mostly, God stuff gets done by faith in the form of simple human decency.

Thought for today: Human decency is worship of God.

Prayer for today: When I am decent Lord be glorified.

Rob+

To respond to Fr. Wright, please contact him at stpauls696@aol.com. 

All members of St. Paul's are encouraged to make a pledge to God's work at St. Paul's for 2012.  Pledges should be received by January 9, 2012.  

Please click here to print the 2012 Stewardship card.  

Carol Murray

Date: January 7, 8:30am - 10:30am

Location: Bowden Hall

Details:  Breakfast will be served.  Childcare will be provided.   

On January 7, the Sunday School teachers, Fr. Wright and Fr. Fischer will meet to discuss the 2nd half of the Sunday School year.  Topics will include:

• Organizational Overview
• Logistical details for 9am & 11:15am
• Training overviews & curriculum for each instructional level

Action Requested: Please RSVP to Azzari@gmail.com by December 31, 2011.

Are you looking for Financial Peace?      Here's some good news: St. Paul's can help with that! Come to our FREE PREVIEW: Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at 6:30pm. You'll get a great introduction to Dave Ramsey's financial fitness course, "Financial Peace University."  

Then, weekly, from January 16th to April 9th, you can attend Financial Peace University, a Biblically-based,  13-week, accountability curriculum that teaches you how to make the right decisions with your money, reduce debt and become fiscally fit.  Course materials are $100.00 per family.  

The preview is free, but for first timers, course membership and materials can be purchased (at a cost of $100.00). For those who have already taken the course and are looking for a refresher, there is no cost to you. To sign up or receive more information, please e-mail Kim Adams (smadak@msn.com) by December 31, 2011 

St. Paul's would like to offer special blessings to those persons celebrating Wedding Anniversaries on the fourth Sunday of each month.  If you and your spouse will be celebrating your Wedding Anniversary during the month of DECEMBER and are not listed below, please contact Lillian Goodlett at your earliest convenience @ 404-761-6880 or Lhgoodlett1@aol.com.  

December Wedding Anniversaries:

John & Evelyn Gilliard                Jeff & Lisa Oliver

Ural & Lisa Glanville                   Clifford & Frances Martin

Rev. Keith & Barbara Panton     John & Lillian Goodlett

Eugene & Harriett Bowens         William & Patricia Pillow

Bruce & Judy Ingram                  Ples & Flora Bruce

Floyd & Helen Ruffin                   Doug & Patricia Garrett

Ernest & Venita Forde                Robert & Helen Martin

Leonard & Agnes Anderson       Vernon & Joan Bolling

Ken & Mildred Singleton             David & Monica Farmer

Member Birthdays

If you have events, meetings or anything that you would like to share with the St. Paul's community, please make sure to send it to news@stpaulsatl.org by Tuesday of the week you would like it published.  Please limit your submissions to approximately 100 words and submit them in Word format.  We look forward to your input and ideas. 

Looking forward to hearing from you!