• Friday, November 27th, 2009
Joy In Christ to you all,
Now that we have all worked off our Thanksgiving feast with a couple of hours on the treadmill (you know — those things can run while you sit and watch the game. It still counts up the calories - the time and the distance — kind of neat) we are entering Advent this Sunday. Our readings will be: Psalm 25:1-10, 1 Thessalonians (known in clergyland as 1st Thess) 3:9-13 and Luke 21:25-36. The sermon title is: “Standing in Advent.”
If you wish to support the church next year through a “pledge” and have not sent in our brought in your pledge card - you may do either. The Trustees will be meeting to begin the budget process soon.
This Sunday the Mission Committee will be promoting alternative giving ideas in the Fellowship Hall following worship. Also we will be decorating the sanctuary Sunday afternoon beginning at 1:30. Tree Team will leave the church after coffee hour. Garland Team will gather at 1:30.
Thank you
Faithfully,
Gary
• Saturday, November 21st, 2009
Blessings to you all,
As we enter Thanksgiving week and move into the holiday season — we begin tomorrow - in worship - as we celebrate Christ’s life in us. Our scripture passages are: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Revelation 1:4b-8 and John 18:33-37 with a message entitled: “Out of this World.”
There will be time within worship to focus upon and make our personal financial commitments to the life of the church for 2010. Following worship everyone is invited downstairs to enjoy the feast of life prepared again by Diane Tracy.
tomorrow — bring an appetite — an appetite for the living word — an appetite for fellowship — an appetite for food.
in Christian Community - in Christian Faith
Gary
• Friday, November 13th, 2009
Peace and blessings to all -
Sunday there will be church. It will happen in the red brick building on South Water Street. Call for directions, if needed.
On Sunday we will hear about Hannah, mother of Samuel, the prophet. Interesting story about her, childbirth, her hopes for her son and her ultimate giving of her son to God (1Samuel 1:4-20). She then sings a song to God (1 Samuel 2:1-10). Her son was her FIRST FRUITS and she willingly gave him back to God. A gift received and a gift given!
How important is it for us to recognize that we are blessed and then how do we react to that blessing? And, having been given this gift, do we have any responsibility (stewardship) in the use of this gift?
Also for the after-church DVD group:
Have you ever asked yourself “What did I do to deserve this?” or thought about someone “What did they do to deserve that?” Well, the after church DVD group will talk about “Evil, Suffering, and a God of Love” - pretty interesting discussion should ensue! Alexander Solzhenitsyn said, “If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the dividing line between good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being…”
So -
Peace to all,
John
• Friday, November 06th, 2009
Blessings All,
Hope all is well as we head into what promises to be a wonderful weekend. Just when you think it just could not get much better — wow — Sunday worship is part of the weekend.
Our texts for Sunday are: Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 — why not read the whole book — an interesting story. The Gospel reading is from Mark - 12:38-44 with a sermon entitled: “A Heritage of Gifts.”
Reminder about the Bread — bring some to share. Betty and I will be making a loaf and buying a loaf. If you can bring a couple of loaves - that will help to make sure everyone (family) can bring a loaf home. If you can put your name on it — that would be great as well.
Peace and Joy in Christ,
Gary
• Thursday, November 05th, 2009
Blessings to you all,
This coming Sunday we are trying something NEW. Celebrating the fact that we are all part of the bread of life - we are asking people to bring in a loaf of bread- as Mike as said: Baked, Begged, Borrowed or Bought. Put your name on the outside and someone else will take it home with them . A bread exchange as we share the bread of life with each other. If you can swing it - it would be good if you can bring in a couple of loaves as there will be visitors and some of us will forget — but it would be great if every family could bring a loaf home with them.
We will set up a couple of tables in the Fellowship Hall for the loaves.
This should be fun
Breadingly,
Gary
