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From the Pastor’s Desk. . . Rev. Paula M. Gustafson

 

 Peter Pan                            Tinkerbelle 

September 2008

From the Pastor:

“Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King:”

The celebration of Advent and then Christmas is a time for joy and a time for receiving the gift of the Christ child into our lives. Although the language is non-inclusive, most people like to sing the old carols as they were written.  There are incredible and wonderful memories of Christmas pasts for most people: the Advent wreath that your family may prepare and remember throughout that season, the time for candle-light Christmas Eve service you attend with your family, and the excitement of children. 

We know Advent is that time to prepare for the Christ child.  It is a time to watch and be aware of the peace, hope, love, joy and the Light of the world.  We continue to know how important those gifts are in the midst of a world at war, an economy in crisis, and children who have no health insurance. A sense of new life comes with the child who reminds us who we are and to whom we belong.  We prepare our hearts, our homes and our church for this.  It is a gift that has been given and we simply remember who this infant child was and is even today.  It is with God’s love that we know Jesus is with us and we can celebrate on Christmas Day, this wonderful event.  The Christmas Eve candlelight service is at 7 p.m. Bring a friend or a family member who needs a blessing and a reminder of the gift of new birth.

For some people, Christmas is a reminder of those for whom they grieve or those they love that are overseas in the military. People may also find Christmas difficult if a family has recently been divided and people become depressed with the shorter days during winter months.  Knowing there are folks like this provides us with a ministry of care in a unique way.  We have had an ecumenical and community-wide Blue Christmas service for the last four years.  It is a service for lament and remembering. There will be special music and a meditation.  This year we will add a time following the service for fellowship in the Narthex.  This service is on December 23 at 7 p.m., if you know someone who would appreciate this service, invite them to join us and come with them. 

The other events for this season include the Children’s Christmas program on December 21st during worship, caroling to our shut-ins on the 21st at 1:45 pm and a Christmas carol and hymn sing during the worship service on December 28th.  Our mission projects include a trip to the Selinsgrove Center on December 9th for a party with one of their units.  We will meet at 6:15 pm in the church parking lot to car pool.  We are also adopting a family through Haven Ministry and will have the information in this edition of the Eagle.                                      Merry Christmas!

                                                Pastor Paula

  

                                                                                                                     

   

 

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