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Thoughts: Have you read anything that was written 700 years ago? Who was a best-selling author in the 1300’s?
Probably Shakespeare is as far back as most of us go, and he wrote less than 500 years ago. The Biblical books of Jeremiah and Hebrews were written about 700 years apart – approximately 600 B. C. and 100 A. D. – but the author of Hebrews must have had a copy of Jeremiah. Fifty-four words of Jeremiah 31:31-32a are identical to Hebrews 8:8b-9a. Sheer coincidence? Discussion: What covenants do we make in our lives? Activity: Each week in 2017, write at least one note of sympathy, or congratulations, or appreciation. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week Francis Corera, Bob Grusnick, Vivian Hansard, Eunice Kraase, Sandy Northey, and Mildred Parker. Tonight from 6:00-8:00pm will be a self-defense class taught in our CLC. Fee is $40.00; wear comfortable clothing and bring water. This Friday at noon will be your final opportunity to finish off your 2016 pledge offering. This could include your Christmas offering and/or pre-payment of your 2017 pledge. This Sunday will be a Wesley Covenant Communion Service during 10:00am Worship. There will be coffee fellowship following the service but no Sunday School, Pickleball, or UMYF. This Sunday you may sign up for the Trustee Work Day on January 14th and the Women’s Retreat on January 21st. Sunday, January 15th will be a baptism Sunday, please notify the office if you are interested.
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Thoughts: God sent a man named John into the world. John came to bear witness of the Light. He was not that Light, but he came to bear witness of that Light.
Many of our Christmas carols mention that Light. Can you match the quotation with the carol? ____ Light and life to all He brings 1. Silent Night ____ And to the earth it gave great light 2. We Three Kings of Orient Are ____ In the light of that star lie the ages impearled 3. There’s a Song in the Air ____ Guide us to thy perfect light 4. The First Noel ____ As with joy they hailed its light 5. O Little Town of Bethlehem ____ Son of God, love’s pure light 6. Angels from the Realms of Glory ____ Yonder shines the infant light 7. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing ____ Yet in thy dark street shineth the everlasting light 8. As with Gladness men of Old Discussion: What is the significance of having only candlelight in the sanctuary when we sing “Silent Night” on Christmas Eve? Activity: On Christmas Eve, give your own special light – a smile – to someone who does not expect it. _____________________________________________________________________________________Remember in prayer this week Francis Corera, Bob Grusnick, Vivian Hansard, Mildred Parker, Wanda Payne, and Erika Truelove. Tomorrow night, Wednesday, December 21, at 7:30pm is the final rehearsal for singers who wish to join the Chancel Choir on Christmas Eve at the 7:00pm to sing the Hallelujah Chorus. Your presence will be greatly appreciated. This Friday, December 23rd, is the final and only rehearsal for the Reunion Handbell Choir. They will meet from 6:00 to 8:00pm first rehearsing and then enjoying supper together. They will be playing at the 7:00pm Christmas Eve service. This Saturday is Christmas Eve. We have the family service with glow sticks and the Holy Family at4:30pm. Our traditional candles and choirs’ service will be at 7:00pm. No child care is available on Christmas Eve. Bring your family, bring your friends, invite your neighbor to one or both of our Christmas Eve services. This Sunday, December 25, at 10:00am will be a birthday party for Jesus. We hope you can attend in your comfortable clothes, robe, and pajamas. No child care will be available this day. The office will be closed on Monday, December 26th. Friday, December 30th, at noon will be your final opportunity to donate to our 2016 offering goals. Please bring in any contributions before noon on December 30th. Thoughts: Of course I thought Mary was pretty. She was slender and graceful, and she had a dimple in her left cheek that flashed when she smiled.
But she was more than pretty; she was sweet and kind and thoughtful. I was very much in love with Mary. Then the ugly rumors started. People raised their eyebrows when they looked at me; they shrugged their shoulders; they avoided me. Mary came to me and clutched my hands. “Joseph! You must believe me! Yes, I am with child. But my child is god’s son! Joseph, I have been chosen – I have been honored – to bear God’s Son. The angel came to me and told me I had found favor with God, that I was blessed among women. And I need you, Joseph. Please believe me. I held her childish body close, and I did believe her. Discussion: What would have happened if Joseph had refused to believe the angel of the Lord? Activity: Like Joseph, let us do as the angel of the Lord bids us. ______________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week Francis Corera, Bob Grusnick, Vivian Hansard, Sandy Northey, Robin Ostergaard and Mildred Parker. Congratulations to our cookie bakers on Sunday. First place winner was Frank Glidden, second place was Linda Pushman, and Ann Stevens came in third. Don’t forget this Friday is the Red Cross Blood Drive from 1:00 to 6:45pm. Also Friday night beginning at 7:30pm is the Madison Chorale with our own Kathy Deyo singing. Discount tickets are available in the office. Don’t miss this special Christmas performance. This Sunday night at 5:00pm is the Young Adult Dinner. Remember on Christmas Eve when the “Hallelujah Chorus” is sung, you are invited to come forward IF you have rehearsed with the choir on Wednesday, December 21, at 7:30pm. Please join us for this one-time rehearsal and be part of Christmas Eve, the 7:00pm service. Planning on completing your 2016 pledge by year-end? Checks, cash, but not monopoly money, will be accepted until FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30TH, AT NOON. Any monies contributed by this time will be included in your official 2016 giving statement. Thoughts: When Isaiah wrote chapter 35, he must have been very happy. For what may have been one brief, shining moment, he believed that nothing good was impossible.
The desert would blossom as the rose Weak hands and feeble knees would be strong. God would save those with feeble hearts. The blind would see. The deaf would hear. The lame would leap like harts. The dumb would sing. In a well-watered land, a highway would appear – the Way of Holiness. The ransomed of the Lord have joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing would be no more. May we know this joy during Advent. Discussion: What is your favorite part of our Advent church services? Activity: Send five Christmas cards to newer members of our church family. ______________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week Jackie Braidwood, Francis Corera, Bob Grusnick, Vivian Hansard, Sandy Northey, Mildred Parker, Doug Smith, and Wanda Payne’s granddaughter, Danielle. This Thursday is the Women’s Tea. Men are still needed to help serve. Call Traci Elliott. Saturday at 8:00am is the Men’s Breakfast, at 9:00am is the Dress Rehearsal for the Children’s Pageant, at 9:30am is the Cookie Walk set-up and Preparation, and at 10:00am is the Creche set up. Sunday is the Children’s Pageant and the Cookie Walk and Creche Walk. Please join us and bring a friend. Please note change in date - January Tidings articles are due on Monday, December 12th. A reminder - 2016 end of year pledges are due in the office by December 29th. Thoughts: In this prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, Jesse is mentioned twice. It is interesting that the Messiah will be known as a Descendant of Jesse, and not Jesse’s famous youngest son, David.
Jesse was a farmer who lived in Bethlehem. Apparently, he was a good and well-respected man. His unnamed wife presented him with eight sons and one strong-willed daughter, Zeruiah. David was a skilled musician, a giant killer, a brilliant general, and the second king of Israel. But Isaiah calls the Messiah “a shoot … from the stump of Jesse” and “the root of Jesse.” Discussion: What do we know about the father of famous men? Activity: Identify Elkanah, Amoz, Terah, Lamech, Zebedee. ______________________________________________________________________________Remember in prayer this week Mark Bauer, Bob Grusnick, Vivian Hansard, Sandy Northey, Mildred Parker, Doug Smith and the family of Jean Sheren on the death of her brother, Bill Gilbert. This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Advent and also Communion Sunday. At 12:30pm this Sunday, we will have a Hope and Healing Service in the Chapel. |
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