| Dear Friends, Tomorrow is the first day of December. Thanksgiving is a distant memory at this point. It’s Christmas time. And as the calendar fills us and the countdown is on, I thought I’d pass along to you something that I shared many years ago. Something that was passed on to me almost a decade ago, written by Sharon Jaynes, inspired by 1 Corinthians 13 (HT: Lori Davidson). Hopefully, it will help you keep your eyes on what really matters in the weeks to come. If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook. If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point. Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure. Let’s make this the season where love is front and center in our homes and in our hearts. …………………………………….. Thanks to all who picked up an ornament, turned in your Christmas cards and bought a Bible for a child in the Dominican Republic this year. As a reminder, if you haven’t yet made your $40 donation to cover the costs (that would be about 40% of you), you can click here to do it online, or you can bring a check with you to church this Sunday. Add “Christmas in the DR” to the memo line on your check. Muchas gracias and Feliz Navidad! ……………………………………. Guys, you remember how good the breakfast was a couple of weeks ago? Well next Tuesday night, it’s goulash. That’s right, I’m making a big batch of the ground meat and macaroni dish your mom used to make, and serving it up as we gather for our First Tuesday Men’s Meeting with Jeff Kemp. Next Tuesday, December 6. Goulash at 6:15. Jeff at 7:00. You’re all invited. Bring a friend with you.  Ladies, the women’s Christmas brunch happens on Saturday, December 10. And while there’s no cost for the event, we need a head count. Are you planning to be there? Click here and let us know.  We could also use a head count for the Family Christmas party on Saturday night, December 17. Here’s the info. And here’s the link to let us know you’re coming.  We don’t need a head count for the upcoming Roots Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. But here’s a reminder so you don’t forget!  Finally this month, we’ll have our Carols and Candlelight Christmas Eve service at 5:00 on December 24.  We have plenty of pre-printed invitations for you to pick up and pass along to friends. Grab a handful this Sunday, along with a few copies of the Four Emotions of Christmas book that you can give as a gift this year. One more thing. I know some of you have been talking about joining us for the once in a lifetime trip to Israel in May. You can get details and reserve your spot by clicking here. A $500 deposit will reserve your spot, with the remaining balance due later this spring.  And make sure you double check and make sure your passport is up to date now! Jesus knew how important it would be for His disciples to be anchored to the truth of God’s word if they were going to accomplish their mission. That’s why one of His petitions for His followers was that God would set them apart in the truth. We’ll continue our look at the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus in John 17 as we gather for worship this Sunday. See you in church. Soli Deo Gloria! Pastor Bob |
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