On the fourth day of Christmas… Dec. 28, 2013

And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." ²⁹ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.”                             –Luke 1:28-31 (NRSV)

Mary may have been in the middle of her morning chores, probably dreaming about her future, her marriage to Joseph, her life as a wife and mother.  Then God interrupted her plans with a plan of his own.  She would be the one to bear the Messiah, as the angel Gabriel told her (Luke1:26-35).  Mary gave all she had by answering: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (GIVE MORE) 

This way of God proclaiming and guiding was not totally unheard of at this time.  God had used an angel in Jewish history speaking to Daniel and before Mary, Gabriel was sent to Zechariah to announce the birth of a son named John.  Now God was sending his greatest message.  God chose to speak in a sign language that any Jewish person was supposed to understand.  Showing signs of his favor, God dispatches an angelic courier to speak directly to the young shepherds (but not to the chief priests or the elders).  It was the highest witnessing to God’s gift of his Son.  This message set a seal upon this event that made it undeniable.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ¹⁴  "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
                                                                      –Luke 2:13-14 (NRSV)

More angels, a multitude, sent to proclaim clearly that God was offering them peace to be given for the benefit of all!

(LOVE ALL)

God of all peoples, open our hearts to ‘angelic’ messages that guide us to your peace and your love for everyone around us.

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

Monday, December 23 -- Christmas Cantata

Wow!  What a tremendous turnout for the cantata Sunday afternoon.  We had over 270 people in our worship space...the most we've ever had in that space!

As Lee Schrepel reminds us every time:  We're not there to perform, but to lead those in attendance to worship...to remember the story...and to be changed through the music.

The adult and children's choirs, the instrumentalists, and the ASL (American Sign Language) choir come together and make music because we love the story, making music together, our Lord, and inspiring people to give from God's abundance to serve people who are hungry in Yamhill county.

This year (so far...and there is more coming in) generous souls have contributed $13,298.42, the most ever in one year... current 2003-13 total is $94,308.06.  Every dollar buys 4 pounds of food...

Thanks be to God for the privilege to serve in this way!  Thanks for your support...in attending... praying and/or contributing financially.

Sunday, December 22: Fourth Sunday in Advent

Angel Voices:  An Advent Conspiracy. Angels—messengers from God —speak to many different people in the stories of Advent & Christmas.  Today we look at the message to the wise men. Their message comes in the form of a star.  In what forms do our messages come?  In children?

Read Matthew 2:1-12 in preparation for worship.  Where do these outsiders come from?  What is the significance of their visit?

Saturday, December 21 – LOVE ALL

"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers."          –John 10:1-5

In Genesis 4:2 “keeper of the sheep” was the first profession named in the Bible. A good shepherd, mentioned many times in Scripture, cared deeply for his sheep.  He led them to new pastures, found them water as well as provided protection.  He knew every sheep and called them by name.  The sheep responded in kind knowing its shepherds voice.  Jesus illustrated God’s tender concern for His children by comparing Himself to a good shepherd.  Do you identify with the shepherd or the sheep?   Do you remember King David was once a shepherd boy? 

The Shepherd’s Song (23^rd Psalm).  Here I am, Lord.       Lou Hanson