December Garden Post...spiritual encouragement and connections for women

We just walked right into December. The month that is often so measured by each short step from November just seems to surprise us when we are suddenly upon it. And now it is here, what are you feeling? December brings with it so many special feelings and emotions, mostly that of great anticipation.

December is the season of Advent. The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of this entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, God's gift to man.

The hope of the season is the fullness of this gift. The hope of perfect love, peace and great joy that came with Christ's birth. The reason we anticipate so much during these weeks of Advent is because we long for the complete joy we want so much.

This December, anticipate the unexpected.

Look for joy in difficult places, in the treasure of wisdom hidden beneath the pile of circumstances in our lives... in the unexpected.

Look for peace in the quiet moments of reflection
, between the pulse of familiar carols, and in the tender moments of family time... in the unexpected.

Look for love in the manger of your heart... clean out the chards of weeds and dirt and make room... for the unexpected Savior... Emmanuel, God with us.

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

May your Christmas anticipation be full with more of God's presence, His provision, and His love for you this special season.

Christmas blessings,

Louann Rodgers
Women's Ministry, Christ Community Church
610.431.0300 x109 ~ www.RootedToGrow.com

The Garden Post is designed to share news and information specifically for women, offer spiritual encouragement and insight, and provide resources and connections for wise living. I welcome the opportunity to connect with you and want to hear from you. Email me or give me a call any time -- I'd love to chat!

This has been a year of walking together....

walking in Truth as we study God's Word,
walking in Friendship
as we meet together in small groups, and walking in Service.

This week we put on our workboots...
We are stopping all ministry activities and gatherings to bring Christmas to our community, mobilizing over 500 women in hands on service with 10 organizations right here within Chester County.

We are doing Christmas from the Heart.

This week has been amazing.

THANK YOU.

Thank you for caring for our community and the less privileged. Thank you for reaching out to places you do normally travel. Thank you for walking along with us.

Already this week we have had teams serving in a wide range serving2

of efforts... sharing resources, stocking shelves, cleaning warehouses, filling a food pantry, helping with administrative work in local service offices, providing lunches, making baby blankets, packing duffle bags, stocking parenting supply closets, purchasing medical and pantry supplies, and buying Christmas presents for the children of all the incarcerated women in our county's prison system.

This week, our shoes were workboots, filled with precious, willing feet, tender to the heart of this season, to sharing love in care and service.

As Maureen Richard shared with us earlier, "Christmas from the Heart isn't really about us or where we will serve. It's about them - the at-risk children, the elderly, the incarcerated, the broken, the battered, the hungry, the poor and the homeless. And it is about Him - the King who told us in Matthew 25:40, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me". "

THANK YOU for serving with us, extending God's love to our community.

~~~~~~

Christmas From the Heart...

bringing Christmas to our community in work, resources, support & care to:

Bridge of Hope - Good Works - Chester County Women's Services - Salvation Army - Chester County Youth and Family Services - Special Olympics - County Corrections Gospel Mission - West Chester Food Cupboard

Safe Harbor

Questions? Want to get plugged in?

Call Maureen at 610.324.1067, Louann at 610.431.0300x109

Download flyer detailing service opportunities...

SWEET - SAFE - SMART

Everything I've learned about managing money has come from just two places,

...my heavenly Father and my earthly father.

From our Heavenly Father there is a great wealth (no pun intended) of Scriptures that give us God's view on money and our stewardship...

--- Psalm 24:1: The earth is the Lords, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it... --- Matt 6:19-21: Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... for where your treasure is, there your heart is also. --- Matt 19:21: Sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, then come, follow Me. --- Luke 6:38: Give and it shall be given to you... --- Luke 12:48: To whom much is given, much is expected. --- Acts 20:35: It is more blessed to give than to receive.

From my earthly Father, I learned from an example of frugal living and generous giving.
Raised in the 1960s by two parents who married immediately out of high school, I was present at my fathers' graduation from college because it took dad 9 years to complete his college degree while beginning his new family. My father worked three jobs and went to school at night. I learned a hard work ethic at a young age.

We shared everything and we walked everywhere. We used everything more than once or twice and we rarely got anything new. Things were really tight, but we didn't know that. We lived below our means and we were happy.

My father showed us that wise money management came from being sweet - safe - and - smart.