Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! While many of us were out due to sickness and travel, I remain convinced that regardless of the number, any time we gather to worship God is a wonderful day! Has it been a while since you came to worship God? Why not come and join us this Sunday or on Christmas Eve? Trust me, you’ve never been gone too long or strayed too far that you can’t come back home. As Motel 6 often said, ‘We’ll keep the light on for you!’
Yesterday afternoon, Janie and I finally put up our Christmas tree and our four grandkids helped decorate. While there were a few minor glitches, like when 20-month-old Jacob thought the large glass ornaments probably bounce like a rubber ball (twice), it was a reminder that as Christians, we can use any and all events to share His story! Perhaps we have started a new tradition in our family… what are some of yours? How might you use the ‘stuff of Christmas’ to share your faith?
God’s message to us this week came from Luke 3:1-7-18 and was titled, ‘The Generosity of Hope.’ While Paul reminds us in Philippians to be joyful always, John the Baptist is anything but joyful! Instead of joyful, John is threatening and warning. Why? Because as he is baptizing repentant sinners, he suddenly notices some Pharisees, Sadducees, and priests have come.
He responds in vs. 7-9 with anger and accusation: What makes you think that you can escape the wrath of God by coming down here and going through the motions of repentance like you mean it when everyone knows you don’t? Your Jewish heritage isn’t going to help you. God is getting ready to thin this forest called Israel of any trees not producing fruit.
But then something remarkable happens. Someone in the crowd says something I hear in a small childlike ‘tone of voice’ in v. 10: “What should we do then?” the crowd asked” (3:10). In other words, what we should do if we don’t want to be cut down and tossed in the fire?
To those who are willing; to those who are serious; to those who really want to prepare for the coming of Jesus, John offers 3 bits of advice: share, don’t cheat, and don’t be a bully. First, in v. 11 John tells them to share: “John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same” (Luke 3:11).
Second, John tells the tax collectors to stop cheating people in v. 13: “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them” (Luke 3:13). Finally, he tells Roman soldiers, ‘don’t be a bully’ in v. 14: “Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay” (Luke 3:14).
So, how about you? Are you ready to get serious this Advent or are you just going through the motions? Jesus has come into the world to bring light, joy, and a true generosity of hope. It’s time to leave the dark places of life! Rejoice in the Lord, dear ones!
Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH – DEC. 20TH
It is time again to get your fill of delicious Asian cuisine at the Hibachi Grill off Alpine. We meet there at 11:30 AM.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE IS COMING! 6:00PM DEC. 24th
Make plans to invite a friend and come to church for a traditional time of ‘carols and communion’ on Christmas Eve. We will begin our service with our traditional lighting a candle to acknowledge our pain at Christmas. Sadly, Christmas can often be a time when we feel ashamed to express our true feelings of pain and loss in the midst of joyful music and celebratory praise. But we believe there can be no better place and time to bring your loss and pain to Jesus then on Christmas Eve! The service will also include a time of communion, a traditional telling of the Christmas Story, the singing of Christmas songs, and we will certainly close by candle light singing “Silent Night.” The night will conclude with a Christmas Cookie fellowship! Hope to see you there!
MISSIONS NIGHT – DECEMBER 26TH
Join us for supper at 5:30, and then hear about what is happening around the world where our missionaries are! This begins at 6:30 PM.
FREE ONLINE SECURITY TRAINING!
Janie’s employer has graciously given us free access to their online security training class again this year for anyone interested. From their training site:
More than ever, your users are the weak link in your network security. KnowBe4 is the world’s most popular integrated Security Awareness Training and Simulated Phishing platform with over 10,000 customers.
Our basic training modules specialize in making sure employees understand the mechanisms of spam, phishing, spear-phishing, malware and social engineering, and are able to apply this knowledge in their day-to-day job. You get high quality web-based interactive training combined with common traps, live demonstration videos, short comprehension tests and scenario-based Danger Zone exercises.
As someone who has helped clean up many viruses, this is valuable stuff! Here’s the link: https://www.knowbe4.com/homecourse Use the password: homecourse
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS
Dinner is served from 5:30 to 6:15 pm (before Bible study). Volunteers are needed to make main dishes, side dishes, or desserts. Please contact Cherry with any questions. At 6:30 PM, Bible study for adults and kids begins.
BOOTH PERSON STILL NEEDED:
The church is looking for someone who is interested in being a sound booth technician. You will need to be able to attend music practices Sunday morning at 9 AM. Let Janie know if you are interested at 616-204-2499 or hathjan@icloud.com.
GATHER BOX TOPS FOR NAZARENE INDIAN MISSIONS!
Thank you for collecting General Mills box tops! This program has provided PA equipment, computers, and even a 15-passenger van for the Native American Christian Academy. Questions and box tops should go to Fran S. or Sherry J.
DAILY DEVOTIONS – “REFLECTING GOD” IS AVAILABLE! FREE!!
“Reflecting God” is a daily devotional guide our church makes available free to anyone interested. The devotions provide a brief truth from the Bible every day. Reflecting God also has a section for reading the Bible in a year and praying for our missionaries! Feel free to take one! You’ll find them located on the table outside the sanctuary!
GUIDELINES FOR PRAYER REQUESTS:
Remember, to keep our prayer lists current, we only place requests in the newsletter and bulletin for 3 weeks without an update. If you want to keep your prayer request in the bulletin or newsletter, just keep filling out the tear off tabs and keep us informed!
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 20 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill 11:30 AM
December 24 Christmas Eve service at 6 PM
December 26 Missions Night at 6:30 PM
January 14 Board Meeting
January 26 Women’s Rendezvous at 10:30 AM at church
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