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This Sunday...
December 11, 2011
"The Occupy Creation Movement"
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 Advent Family: Mark, Julie, Maggie, & Sally McVey Lay Assistant: Mary Distin Ushers: Robert Blackford, Bill Lee, Dominick & Malik Reading, Ed Mevlin Greeters: The Buff & Tammi Hottle family and Jane Hottle Dorothy & David Behnke Beedle/Crucifer: Kara Fisher & Will Best Children's Church: Lolla Ballard & Maggie McVey Nursery: Margie Myers Coffee Hour: Bob & Carolyn Meling and Dale & Debbie Dingman View our calendar.
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Children 3yrs - 6th Grade: meet in the Theater upstairs. Parents are welcome.
Youth 7th - 12th Grade: meet in the senior high room in the Youth Wing.
Faith & Life: meet in the Social Hall
The Advent Series will be lead by Pastor Myers from the book, " God is in the Manger: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Reflection on Advent and Christmas."
December 11 - Redemption
December 18 - Incarnation
Bible Study Class: meet in the Brides' Room.
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Fillman Fellowship
On Thursday, December 8, Fillman Fellowship will meet at 10:00 a.m. until 12 noon for coffee, rolls, and fellowship at Stewart House, located at 1015 East Euclid Ave. Be sure and park in the rear which you enter from North 9th Street. Those who have not contributed to our annual Christmas Collection may still do so at this gathering.
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'Tis the Season
Let us remember that is a season to be joyful by bringing food each week for Jamieson Center. You may bring anything non-perishable and place it under the sign outside the office. To make it easier, you could go with a schedule such as this:
Dec. 11 - Raman noodles & soups
Dec. 18 - rice & beans
Dec. 25 - Peanut Butter & Jelly
Jan. 1 - Hamburger/Tuna Helper & tuna or Mac & Cheese
Let's fill the boxes each week! Thank you!
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New Member & Friends Open House
If you are anew member or friend of our congregation, you are invited to an open house at the home of Pastor Myers on Sunday, December 11 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.. Please come and enjoy a time to visit and relax among friends. The address is 1021 E. Detroit Ave. Feel free to bring a friend with you.
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End of the Year Reports
This year is coming to an end quickly so I'll need to begin putting the Annual Report together soon.
If you are the moderator of a committee, I'll need a report from you. If this is your first year and you are needing help, please call the church office or stop in to see Heather.
The deadline to turn in the reports from your committee will be on Wednesday, December 28, 2011. Thank you!
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Library Books
We are missing four books that were in the Narthex and not checked out. Seasons of the Circle, by Joseph Bruchac - In the Eye of the Storm, by Max Lucado - Pollyanna, by Eleanor Porter - and My Little Book About God, by Jane Watson.
If you have one of these books, please either return the book back to the library or sign and turn-in the check-out card inside the book. Thank you!
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Deacon Christmas Caroling
The Deacon Christmas Caroling will be held Sunday evening, December 18, 2011, at 4:30 p.m.
We will meet at the church at 4:30 p.m. and return to the church for soup, drink, and finger food. Soup and drink will be furnished and each one attending should bring a finger food to share.
Mother to Mother and Faith's Youth Group will be joining us. Everyone is invited to attend.
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Baby Jesus
We are in need of a real baby to be Baby Jesus in the Christmas Pageant. We had a baby, but then she decided she needed to visit her grandparents on Christmas. (I can't imagine why...:-) If you will be having a grandchild or great grandchild visit on Christmas Eve, please let Margie know ASAP. Next year the stork tells me we may have five or six babies related to the children in the pageant to choose from. Thank you.
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Heifer Christmas Tree
In a corner of the social hall you will find an odd Christmas Tree. It is covered with all kinds of animals. I'm sure if you've seen it you have wondered what these animals have to do with Christmas. You might imagine that most of them might have been at the manger to greet Jesus (except the pig and llama). While this is true, they are also there to remind us of the animals we can give to others to help them become self-sustaining. Our children are giving their offering to Heifer Project. To remind us of God's gifts to us, we made animals at the Advent Fair for the tree. You will find, chickens, bees, pigs, llamas and sheep. Adults and children alike made the animals and you should have seen the grown men sewing pigs while sitting next to the children. It was wonderful. Please take a look at our tree of Heifer gifts and consider giving yourself.
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Alternative Heifer Gifts
Heifer project offers a number of animals that you may gift to a family in need anywhere in the world. A cow may go to Armenia, sheep to Arizona, Camels to Tanzania, Oxen to Uganda, bees to Albania, or pigs to Arkansas. Make a gift in someone else's name for Christmas. The animals we made for the Christmas tree represent the following:
Sheep - $120.00
Llama - $150.00
Chickens - $20.00
Bees - $30.00
Pigs - $120.00
You will find more information on a table in the social hall or by going online to www.heifer.org/catalog. Thank you!
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The Ecumenical Singers
The Ecumenical Singers, directed by Leo Ramer, will present their annual Christmas concert on Sunday, December 18, at 4:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Monmouth. They are celebrating their 32nd Anniversary this year. The ICS Children's Choir, directed by Alisa Ramer, will also sing. The public is invited; a free-will offering will be taken.
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An Invitation to Read the Bible
Dec. 11 Genesis 40:23 - 42:25
Dec. 12 Genesis 42:26 - 44:34
Dec. 13 Genesis 45:1 - 47:30
Dec. 14 Genesis 47:31 - 5:26
Dec. 15 Exodus 1:1 - 4:17
Dec. 16 Exodus 4:18 - 7:24
Dec. 17 Exodus 7:25 - 10:11
Dec. 18 Exodus 13:1 - 16:12
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Christmas Pageant
This Christmas the children of our church will be offering their Annual Christmas Pageant to you and God on Christmas Eve at 5:00 p.m. This celebration of Christ's birth is not meant only for the children and their parents. Please join us as we travel, with our children leading the way, to the manger of our Savior's birth.
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A Service of Lessons and Carols
The ancient Service of Nine Lessons & Carols - from King's College Chapel, Cambridge - recounts the prophecy and birth of Christ in the words of Holy Scripture and in songs of devotion and praise. Join us at 8:00 p.m. as we hear again the message of the angels and go even unto Bethlehem!
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Candlelight Communion
Following the order of service for evening prayer, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus by celebrating the sacrament of the Lord's Supper at 11:00 p.m. If you have been looking for a moment of peace during this hectic holiday season, this is a good place to find it.
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Christmas-tide Breakfast
Join us on January 1, 2012, for our Annual Christmas-tide breakfast potluck at 9:30 a.m. in the social hall. Bring a dish to pass and your own table service.
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Thank You
Thank you to Sharon, Dennis, and Jr. for the birthday celebration, and to each of you who sent cards, gifts, and notes. It will be a day to remember forever.
May you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. God bless you!
Carolyn Simpson
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Prayer Concerns
Eilleen Spoerl, Premraj Ambrose, Lauren Hendel, Al Kulczewski.
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December Birthdays
1 Andrea Spainhour
2 Beverly Davis
5 Rodney Lemon
6 Gary Pullen
Karen Angotti
11 Jo Ellen Dollinger
12 Stephanie Reading
13 Noah Clark
15 Mark McVey
16 John Sorensen
Alexis Crosier
17 Job Runge
18 Dorothy Hutchisson
Jarrett Baber
19 Jason Haynes
Evelyn Blackford
21 William Allison
23 Joyce Allison
25 Robert Whiteman
George Nieman
26 Samantha Fisher
27 Kristin Sorensen
30 Merle Brown
Bette Vance
31 Charles Hallam
Dawn Brown
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What Do You Think?
How Long?
"May those who so in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves." Psalm 126:5-6
In my devotional reading for Advent, Charles Wood offers a wonderful perspective on Psalm 126.
"The weeping sowers weep, let us suppose, because they are afraid. They are putting the seed into the ground under quite unpromising circumstances, not knowing what to expect. God will turn their tears to laughter, we might imagine, not because they have been properly penitent or properly diligent (this is not a fable about ants), nor because they have grown spiritually through adversity, but because they are needy creatures and because God is God."
How long until I am able to look upon people with such grace? My inclination is to help people see, that it is the life of faith, through which "those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves." I have lived this truth in my own life, and have witnessed its fulfillment in the lives of countless others. Yet, there is something even more true about a God who transforms the tears of those who sow into sheaves of joy simply because they are God's children in need. How long until I may appreciate the joy of pure grace?
Christmas came early this year. In recognition of my doctorate, but, perhaps, more importantly, in recognition of the fact that my current robe was thread bare, when I began wearing it twenty years ago, Margie and I purchased a new robe.
My new robe is beautiful. The seams are strong. The pleats are crisp. The sleeves are the right length. There are no holes. A Bentley & Simon, this is the finest robe we could purchase. I should be more joyful.
Why am I not? Because I am aware that, as wonderful as my new robe is, it is not the same quality as my old robe. My old robe a Bentley & Simon, as well, was gifted to me by the first head of staff, with whom I worked. Dr. Alston had been given the robe, probably twenty years before, by the wife of the Rev. Dr. William L. Tucker, for whom the Tucker Library at Nassau Presbyterian Church was named. The robe, which had been worn by Dr. Tucker for many years, would have been at least twenty years old at the time.
My old robe, then, is probably somewhere between sixty and seventy years old. This is why my new robe cannot match its quality. They simply don't make robes like they used too. In those days, the fabric was heavier. The die was darker and richer. They used a hook and eye closure, rather than Velcro. The craftsmanship was of a higher quality. Even a Bentley & Simon is no longer a Bentley & Simon. Knowing there was once a better way, keeps me from being as joyful, as I might be.
People of faith, in the realm of life, the quality of a pulpit gown is a small matter. Though, "they don't make them like they used to", my new pulpit gown will serve its purpose well.
Nevertheless, I mention this to illustrate one of the great tensions with which I live, as a pastor and a person of faith. Knowing there is a better way, keeps me from being as joyful as I might be. As a pastor, I bear the burden of knowing, that for many of the people, with whom I share life, the life of faith would offer a better quality of life, than what they are living now. Life choices have their consequences. As a person of faith, I know this is true, for I have experienced it my own life, and I have witnessed this truth in the lives of countless others. Nevertheless, there is something even more true about experiencing the pure joy, which comes when the fullness of God's grace touches us in the depth of our neediness, simply because God is God and we are God's children. How long until I may know the pure joy of such grace is the life of faith?
See you in church!
Pastor Myers
revhaggis1@hotmail.com
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