BillWhat Do You Think?
 Will It?    
 
"But now it is true that in three days, Christmas will come again.  The great transformation will once again happen.  God would have it so.  Out of the waiting, hoping, longing world, a world will come in which the promise is given.  All crying will be stilled.  No tears shall flow.  No lonely sorrow shall afflict us anymore, or threaten."
 
Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke these words to a German-speaking congregation in Havana, Cuba, on December 21, 1930, over a decade before he would become a prisoner in a German prison camp.  There is a profound hope expressed in these words, a hope, which Bonhoffer maintained throughout his all too short life.  "Christmas will come again.  The great transformation will once again happen.  God would have it so."  From a world which longs for the children of God to be revealed will come a new world where "all crying will be stilled.  No tears shall flow.  No lonely sorrow shall afflict us anymore, or threaten."

When I first read Dr. Bonhoeffer's words, part of me wished that somewhere, perhaps before "the great transformation", somewhere he would have inserted the qualifier, "For people of faith..."  Why? For I know for most in our world, such a Christmas shall not come.  They will experience no great transformation.  The promise will not be kept.  Their crying will not cease.  Their tears shall continue to flow.  But, in truth, I know this great hope cannot be qualified. 
 
For some, I understand that they are simply living through a season of grief. Though, perhaps not quite at Christmas, the transformation will come in God's good time and the promise will be fulfilled.  Their crying and their tears shall not last forever.  Yet, for others, the transformation shall come and the promise shall be fulfilled.  They will simply not see this.  They are oblivious to the presence and power of God in their lives and in our world.  They will have their Christmas parties and preparations.  They will gather with family and friends and be filled with the spirits of the season.  Having received all they could ever want, they may even feel a certain joy.  Nevertheless, Christmas will come and go and have made little impression on their lives. 
 
They are those who bear what Trisha Lyons Seterfitt calls "the oppression of the overprivileged".  They are secure and self-sufficient.  They appear to have no need of God's grace and, therefore, live lives, seemingly, untouched by God's grace.  Reflecting on Mary's song, the Magnificat, she writes, 
 
"For years Mary has been protrayed as submissive because of her yes to God at the annunciation.  Today it is time to recognize that this prophetic woman also says no to all that negates God's purposes in human histor.  First, Mary celebrates the greatness of God, and then she proclaims God's liberating compassion for the poor.  Mary sings the joy that she is feeling and sings blessing for the oppressed, whether that oppression comes from being underprivileged or overprivileged."
 
People of faith, I hope that you have taken time, during this season of Advent, to prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ.  I pray, this Christmas, you will know the profound hope of which Dr. Bonhoeffer speaks.  However, I have also learned to trust, that whether we have prepared, or not, whether we experience the great transformation, or not, in a few short days, Christmas will come again.  God would have it so. 
 
See you in church!
  

 

 

 

This Sunday...
December 25, 2011

"The Mystery of God's Love Revealed"

                                                                                             

Isaiah 52:7-10   Psalm 98    John 1:1-14 


Lay Assistant: Lorna Blackford    
Ushers: Tim Phelps, Ted & Vicki Briscoe, Bob Green, Dee Ann Shuff    
Greeters:  Elizabeth & Will Myers and Clayton & Chloe Larson        

Coffee Hour: Jim & Carol McCurdy        

 

 

View our calendar.   


 
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.
A Service of
Lessons & 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!     
 
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.
  

'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. 25 - Peanut Butter & Jelly

Jan. 1 - Hamburger/Tuna Helper & tuna  or Mac & Cheese

 

Let's fill the boxes each week!  Thank you!

 
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!   
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. 
 
An Invitation to Read the Bible

Christmas  Exodus 30:1 - 32:34, Monday  Exodus 32:35 - 35:34, Tuesday  Exodus 35:35 - 37:29,
Wednesday  Exodus 38:1 - 40:19, Thursday  Exodus 40:20 - Leviticus 4:16, Friday  Leviticus 4:17 - 7:17, Saturday  Leviticus 7:18 - 9:24, Sunday (1/1/12) Leviticus 10:1 - 13:14 

Thank You 

 

Faith Church Friends,

 

Thank you so much for the finals care package!  You really make this week a lot brighter with the support and it means a lot to know you are thinking of me and all of us at the college.  Thank you!

 

Megan Lyle

 

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Dear Rev. Myers,

 

I would like to extend my thanks to you, as well as the rest of the members of Faith United Presbyterian Church.  I was overjoyed with the care package for finals that was put together for us college students.  It was extremely thoughtful and absolutely delightful.  I very  much appreciate it.  It will surely help me get through this week of final exams.

 

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this wonderful church and choir.  I look forward to seeing everyone next semester!

 

Sincerely,

Clarissa Gardner 

 

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Dear Faith Church and Youth Group,

 

Thank you so much for the wonderful Christmas care package.  That was so thoughtful of all of you.  I appreciate the time you all put into it.  I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

 

Julie Battcher

Monmouth College '12 

 

Prayer Concerns

 

Please continue to keep in your prayers:  Janet Paris, Melba Collins, Eilleen Spoerl, Greg Gilliland, Premraj Ambrose, Lauren Hendel, and Al Kulczewski.