Thursday, December 22, 2005

Good Morning!

Note that we will not have class this coming Sunday (Christmas Sunday), due to a change in the time for church -- on Christmas Day, we will have one service at 10 AM.

Also, note that we will have a Christmas Eve service at 6PM on Saturday.

Today's Scripture

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.

Luke 2:17

Today's Note

Christmas is almost upon us, and if you've been like me, it's been a rush and a whirlwind of things since Thanksgiving, and will be so until after Sunday.  For most of us, Advent has not been a time of preparation -- it is a time of going and doing.

But Advent is supposed to be a time of preparation, of re-learning the story of how and why Jesus came to us.  But this time of preparation is about getting us ready for our response, and the question is always how will respond - how will we live our lives in response to the message of Christmas. If you think about it, it isn't an accident that making New Year's resolutions happens right after Christmas -- I see it as a channel for our response to Christmas --- answering the call to live a life that responds to the gift of Jesus.

Its like the National Guard -- I heard a story on NPR yesterday evening about the National Guard, and how they are having problems with being ready because of severe equipment shortages.  The story talked about how the Guard has changed over time -- it used to be something that people would sign up for, spend a few weekends doing a little training, maybe be called out once or twice to help out in an emergency, but there was no expectation that they would see serious action, like the regular Army would.  Iraq and Afghanistan has changed all of that, and now roughly 1/3 of our soldiers there are National Guard units.

We sometimes live our Christian lives as if we are in the Christian Guard -- we spend a few weekends here and there getting ready, and we get called out once or twice in an emergency.  But we don't expect to see real combat, and to be called in for everyday service.  But Jesus doesn't recruit us to be the Guard, he recruits us to be regular Army.  He wants us to be in theatre, on the ground, in the trenches, every day, fighting the good fight, as the apostle Paul put it.

As we move towards the new year, and we search for our response to Christmas, let's think about what we can do to be better Christian soldiers in the next year.

Today's prayer request:      From Michelle:

I have a prayer request..Jim Bozeman is a man I work with and has become a very good friend.  His mother has been suffering from Alzheimers for several years, but since Sunday has been completely unresponsive.  They believe it is only a matter of days before she leaves this world. Please pray for Jim and his family especially his step-father who has kept her at home all of this time and cared for her.

Today's class member prayer: 

Megan Douglas

Have a great day.

Jay

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Good Morning!

Note that we will not have class this coming Sunday (Christmas Sunday), due to a change in the time for church -- on Christmas Day, we will have one service at 10 AM.

Today's Scripture

The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.  For the yoke that was weighing upon them, and the burden upon their shoulders, thou hast broken into pieces O God our Renewer.

Isaiah 9

Today's Note

Today is the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year, or, to put it another way, the longest night of the year.

I just read recently about churches who have a special service on this day, either what they call a "Blue Christmas" service or a "Longest Night" service.

It is a service that is different than traditional Christmas services -- it is more quiet, somber service, one focused on scripture, music, meditations that speak to the comfort that God can offer during dark times.  Candles are a big part of a Longest Night service, as they symbolize the ability of God to provide light during the darkness.

As we go forth the rest of the holiday season, even though it is a time of great joy, we need to remember those who are not able to connect with the joy of the season due to shadows in their life -- the loss of loved one, health issues, money issues, etc.  These people are the ones that need to hear the message of light and hope of the advent season, and how it can brighten their life and their outlook.

Today's prayer request:      Those who have lost loved ones this year.

We have had a number of people on our prayer list over the year due to the loss of a loved one - both people we knew and people we didn't know.  We need to pray for all of those families today as they approach Christmas with a sense of loss and sadness.

Today's class member prayer: 

Ron Ray

Have a great day.

Jay

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Good Morning! 

Note that we will not have class this coming Sunday (Christmas Sunday), due to a change in the time for church -- on Christmas Day, we will have one service at 10 AM.

 

Today's Scripture

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom his favor rests."

 

Luke 2:13-14

 

Today's Note

 

Here is an Advent devotional from the umc.org web site.

 

Christmas Angels

By Nell W. Mohney

Read Luke 2:10-15

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared
with the angel, praising God and saying…(Luke 2:13)

The Bible describes angels as “messengers of God.” In my own life, these messengers have come in human form. Years ago, I read a quatrain that was listed as anonymous. Though I have tried on several occasions to find its source, I have never been successful. Still it is a perfect description of my angels:

When God comes to me
On quiet, cat-like feet,
Why am I surprised
That it’s my neighbor down the street?

My angels have come to me with a casserole for my family when I have come home from the hospital; or the offer of babysitting when my husband and I needed an evening out. Sometimes they have come in encouraging telephone calls or a friendly smile….

When our older son died, we were surrounded by a multitude of angels who lessened our pain and surrounded us with God’s love. They became for us what Paul called, “the body of Christ.”

This Christmas, why don’t we become secret angels to someone who needs a lift? I have discovered that it is most rewarding to be that to children…Equally rewarding is a visit to an elderly neighbor or friend. Let’s all look for opportunities to be Christmas angels.

Prayer: O God of light, love, and peace, empower us to be your messengers to others; in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Today's prayer request:      Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan

This is a very tough time for many families, as they have a loved one overseas serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.  They all need our prayers to help them be strong during this season, for both the families here in the states or those serving overseas. 

Today's class member prayer:  

Joey Harbarger

Have a great day.

Jay

Monday, December 19, 2005

Good Morning! 

Note that we will not have class this coming Sunday (Christmas Sunday), due to a change in the time for church -- on Christmas Day, we will have one service at 10 AM.

 

For our next study, I think we are settling in on doing a study on the Book of Revelation.  The link below takes you to the Wikipedia entry for background information.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation

 

Along those lines, here are the links for a couple of books that look good as study guides:

 

Breaking the Code

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0687089999/qid=1134996837/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-2374441-7212035?n=507846&s=books&v=glance

 

The Idiots Guide to the Book of Revelation

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0028642384/ref=pd_sim_b_2/002-2374441-7212035?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

 

Revelation:  Four Views

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0840721285/ref=pd_sim_b_5/002-2374441-7212035?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

 

Open to any other ideas as well for study guides -- this is just a start.

 

Today's Scripture

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us"

 

Matthew 1:22:23

Today's prayer request:      Saundra Aaron

Saundra is Valerie's brother's mother-in-law, and she is going through chemo right now for breast cancer.  She has gotten to to the part where the worst side effects hit -- loss of hair, etc.  We just need to remember her and her family as they go through this difficult situation, especially here at the holidays.

Today's class member prayer:  

Jerri Wesson

Have a great day.

Jay