Communion / Christmas Meditation

 

Merry Christmas to each and all! I want to share one of my favorite Christmas messages with you this morning. It is by Henry Van Dyke and was originally written, I believe, as a short sermon.

 

KEEPING CHRISTMAS

He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord.

Romans 14:6

It is a good thing to observe Christmas day. The mere marking of times and seasons, when men agree to stop work and make merry together, is a wise and wholesome custom. It helps one to feel the supremacy of the common life over the individual life. It reminds a man to set his own little watch, now and then, by the great clock of humanity which runs on sun time.

 

But there is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas.

 

Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world; to put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground; to see that your fellow-men are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy. Your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life; to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness - are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.

 

Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and the desires of little children; to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear on their hearts; to try to understand what those who live in the same house with you really want, without waiting for them to tell you; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thoughts, and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open--are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.

 

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world--stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death--and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?

 

Then you can keep Christmas.

 

And if you keep it for a day, why not always?

 

But you can never keep it alone.

- Submitted by Judy Myers / 12-22-06

 

 

 

 

A BIG SURPRISE last Sunday occurred when Rex and Sharon were asked to step forward by Karen Cain & Marge Reed.  Karen read a poem she had composed and then they presented us with a card with tickets inside to the world class Cleveland Orchestra / Chamber Chorus to hear Handel’s Messiah Dec. 14^th!  The church did it for Pastor’s Appreciation month.  The gift even included paying for our parking!   

THANKS EVERYONE – WE LOVE ALL OF YOU IN THE LORD!

 

NEXT SUNDAY!

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AT EMERALD RIDGE

MARY ELLEN JONES WILL BE OUR SPEAKER

FEEL FREE TO JOIN US THERE AT 1:30P.M.

(Regular Services here)

 

POINSETTIA’S can be brought to the church at any time this month and in honor or in memory of a loved one.  Please give Pastor Cain the names before Dec. 20^th.

 

They’re Engaged!

Hey Everyone!  I just wanted to let you all know that my wonderful boyfriend, Christopher Thomas, proposed to me tonight [Nov. 28^th]...and I said yes!!!  We have been together for several months and I am very much in love with him!  I am very lucky!  We are planning on getting married in July...hopefully the 12th.  Please keep this date open!  Love you all! 

- Rachel Weaver, The Future Mrs. Seymour!!!!!!   ;)

 

THE SZEKELY’S landed safely in FL on Thanksgiving Day.  They phoned after church last Sunday wanting me to extend their love, prayers and greetings to the congregation.  What did they feast on Thanksgiving Day while traveling?  A cheese sandwich and a bowl of soup!  They said all the restaurants where they stopped were closed!    Enjoy the weather – I’m sure you will!

 

HOME BIBLE STUDY will be held at Phil and Susan May’s home this coming Tuesday evening (4^th) at 7pm.  Anyone is welcome.  I would suggest you call a few hours before the meeting to make sure all systems are go.

 

PASTOR DARREL CARDWELL of our North Salem Church near Plymouth IN had a heart attack Nov. 24^th.  He was taken to South Bend where he required five heart bypasses on Nov. 28^th.  There appears to be no heart damage.  Keep him and his wife in prayer.

 

Advent Meditations

Dec. 2^nd / Kathy Onderdonk

Dec. 9^th / David Onderdonk

Dec. 16^th / Kathy Kostyo

Dec. 23^rd / Susan May

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Are You A Church Builder?

The Church Builder’s League is a General Conference program where brethren around the country are asked to contribute a minimum of $25 twice a year to help churches with renovations, new roofs, parking lots or to help construct a new church.  We currently have about 400 members or about $10,000 per each appeal.   Imagine if we had 1000 members (you do the math)!   If you would like to become a member, just send me your name and address and I’ll see you’re placed on their mailing list.  There are two appeals per year with perhaps a couple reminder notices.  Dayton was the first church in 1958 to get help.  There have been 99 churches helped over the years.  Join up!

 

PRAY FOR: Emory Macy Family, Frank Toth, Margie Goldman (miscarriage), Anita Cain, Ken-Kathy Cramer, Jeff Stoneman (cancer, by Whaley), Terry James (cancer, by Roper), Evelyn Pennington, Jason Dishong (by G. Whaley), / Pastor Beder (cancer, Peru), Jack Hearp, Ruby Korode,  Gene & Gloria Faehnrich, Edith Speer, Jacob Hinton*, Kathy & Destiny Reed + current pregnancy*, (*by Skip), W.C. & Craig Blank­en­ship, College students: Andrew Weaver, Jackie Schuld, Dan & Rachel Cain (internship / teaching degree), Shut-ins: Evelyn Pennington Military: Rodger Schuld, Those serving in other countries: Lupe Badillo-Mexico, Tracy Zhykhovich-Russia, Beder Ucañay-Peru, Pastors in Malawi &  Mozambique, Lesly Bertrand and the Pastors in Haiti. Colleges / Churches: RRCC, ABC, Golden Rule, Grace Breth­ren and for the peace of Je­ru­sa­lem, Ps. 122:6; Isa. 62:6, 7

 

December 2007

2        Communion Sunday

2        Secret Pal Revelation Social at the home of the Schuld’s

9        Emerald Ridge Christmas program / 1:30pm

16      Christmas Banquet here at church after services

23      Christmas Sunday

30      Pastor and wife on vacation

Future dates:  Jan 13 Gideon Speaker

 

Musicians: (Sharon Cain and Frank Roper)

Welcome / Announcements

Worship Hymns / Mark Cain

89 Bethlehem’s King

132 “Man of Sorrows,” What a Name

Prayer / Offering

Advent Devotional: Kathy Onderdonk

Message: The Gift of God

Key Texts: 1 Cor 13:11; Jn 1:1-14; Eph 1:4; Phil 2:5-7; Jn 14:7-9;

Rev 1:9; Rom 4:13; ;6:23; Gal 3:13,14; 3:26-29; Heb 4:14-16

Communion: Elder Steve Weaver

219 Blest Be the Tie That Binds