Tuesday, December 24 -- Christmas Eve

Come to Christmas Eve service tonight at Joyful Servant at 7:00 pm.  If that time doesn't work for you, find another church with a workable time and go worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ there.  We're all one family in Christ!

Tomorrow starts the following Twelve Days of Christmas devotional:

Angel Voices:  A Christmas Conspiracy

Live Simply!  [worship fully, give more, spend less & love all]

This past month Lou Hanson threw her pen in (or is that keyboard) with a small group of devotional writers—Laura Gifford, Andrea Byerley, and another new addition, Amy Austin helping me write short daily devotions to keep us “grounded in God’s word.”

Lou was inspired and wrote all except the last two devotions in this series.  I did a little editing work.  Enjoy digging deeper into the Christmas conspiracy (salvation for all!) that our God continues to roll out into our fractured, fearful and frantic world. –Pastor Tom

Now as we begin the celebration of the twelve days of Christmas it might be exciting to see how this theme of WORSHIP FULLY, GIVE MORE, SPEND LESS & LOVE ALL might translate into a full year commitment instead of a “mini-Advent theme.”  This is an invitation to join now in the beginning of that journey.  What have you got to lose?  Just a few moments of your time each day and what have you got to gain?    Hmm …….

First let us ponder the word GIFT.  What does it mean to gift?  Webster says:  something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation.  Say we are given the gift of a sweater and we treasure it by putting it away in storage.  There it is not doing anything valid like clothing you and keeping you warm.  But if we wear it, it becomes part of ourselves and its use reaps benefits.

Salvation is the same.  We celebrate the giving of this gift on Christmas Day.  It has been gifted.  It is free.  It is ours to do with as we like, but to make it a part of us we must put it to use:  we need to put our faith to work in our lives and let it play out in everyday encounters.  We need to WORK OUT our salvation, NOT FOR IT.  (Philippians 2:12-13)  There is a “daily walk discipline” in place here that enhances this free gift, allowing our faith to grow.  Turn the page and let’s get started.  –Lou Hanson

 



Printed copies can be picked up at the church...or you can follow it online right here.

Blessings of Emmanuel,
Pastor Tom