“A Community of Faith, Family and Friends”
Pastor: Rev.
Christopher Druce Jones
Dear Members and Friends
Last week I walked through Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Jewel-Osco, and other stores and saw the most amazing thing: Christmas items were on the shelves. Yes, I was surprised and thought to myself, “Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet and there are Christmas items on the shelves already.” It was as though they were getting ready for Christmas.
I saw many items that reminded me of what we celebrate on December 25th, but I didn’t see anything that reminded me of Christmas. I didn’t see any angels or anything with the word Jesus. I didn’t see a noel sign or peace sign. But I did hear the Christmas music playing very softly in the background. It was as though the stores were preparing us subconsciously for December 25th, but not Christmas.
Sometimes, I think we have forgotten what Christmas is all about. As you know, many people will rush and fill the stores trying to get that right gift for that special person or persons. We will devote so much time and money to prepare for the holiday, but not the birth of Jesus. I wonder why that is so when birthdays are so important to us.
December 25th is the day we celebrate JESUS’ BIRTHDAY! December 25th is the day we celebrate JESUS’ BIRTHDAY! The question is how will we celebrate it? Will it be festive? Will there be cake and ice-cream and lots of presents for the guest of honor? Will there be a lot of people there to wish him well and sing happy birthday? Have you thought about what gift you will give to him?
I know these are questions you probably have not thought about. Yet, I thought I would help you get an early start in addition to other things you have to do as well. I hope you remember the reason for the season. It’s a beautiful season and would be awful for the purpose to go unacknowledged. After all, it’s not a fun experience when your loved ones and friends forget your birthday. Amen?
We will have three opportunities to
be reminded on Jesus’ Birthday. These opportunities are in the form of worship
services: Sunday, December 24@
But in case I don’t see you
at all, have a Merry Christmas as you celebrate Jesus’ birth wherever you are.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Chris
December 3 “Believing in God’s
Promises - 1”
Jeremiah 33: 14-17 December 10
“Believing in
God’s Promises - 2”
Malachi 3: 1-4 December 17 “Believing in God’s
Promises – 3”
Zephaniah 3: 14-20 December 24
“They Searched Until They Found Him”
- ( Micah
5: 2-5a: Luke 2: 13-20 (
Matthew 2: 7 - 15 ( December 31 “Safe Places “
Matthew 2: 13 - 21
MINISTRY REMINDERS
We are in need of Sunday Helpers for the months of ______________
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The
Mission Committee would like to remind you of the following
“Angel Tree” - Information on how you
can be
a part of the giving
experience
during this Christmas
Season will
be forthcoming.
- - Marcy Newberry Children
Rich Rubietta - our final band for Rainbow
Covenant
for 2006.
Rich is our district “musicianary” and has
been a friend of our congregation for many
years.
Please mark envelopes “Rich Rubietta” if
you wish
to make a donation. Thank you all for your support !!
Church Information:
Sunday Helpers:
We are in need of volunteer Greeters and
Ushers for our Sunday worship. If you
can help with our Worship Service, please sign the list in the narthex of the
church. Thank you.
Currently we have some openings for Ushers
and Greeters in December. Please take
the time and search your hearts to see where you can serve. Thank you.
PRAYER LIST
(At Home)
For All Our Service
Men and Women
Pastor Chris’s grandmother
Marilyn Dugger – Wauconda Health Care Center Lafayette Withrow’s son
(daughter of Lois Stachel ) Carol Whitney’s husband
Patty Reinarts’ father
Gerry Gonsowski’s aunt
Arlene
Loncsar’s great niece
Best Wishes are sent
to all who will be celebrating
a Birthday or
Anniversary in the month of December
Happy Birthday to:
Pals, Steven 12/1 Beall,
Emily 12/2
Gaylord, Sr., Don 12/2 Reitenbach, Emily 12/2
Bank, Kirsten 12/4 Cribb,
Sue 12/4
Gonsowski, Jerry 12/4 Heneberry, John 12/4
Goggin, Thomas 12/5 Baldino,
Kevin 12/6
Page, Sean 12/6
Effinger,
Sarah 12/7
Revell, Jim 12/7
Frank, Isabella 12/8
Morton,
Kiple, Kristen 12/13 Jilly, Alfred
12/14
Teltz, Elaine 12/15 Schneider,
Kristine 12/16
Dinardi, Rick 12/17 Schneider,
Tammy 12/18
Wold, Jason 12/18 Kines/Kellogg, Carey 12/21
Schneider, Barry 12/22 Dewar, Benjamin 12/25
Page, James 12/25 Martinie,
Jeff 12/27
Jilly,
Maxwell, Cherry
12/30
Miller, Mikey
12/30
Oelkers, Linda
12/30
Fox, Lesa
12/31
Happy Anniversary to:
Gary & Cheryl Reijonen 12/
4 Leroy & Donna Rosenberg 12/
4
Bill & Lisa McIntyre 12/ 7 Lee & Orpha Miller 12/18
Chuck & Carole Whitney 12/22 Christopher
& JanLynn
Ted & Lynne Cobb
12/29 Druce
Jones 12/24