The Messenger – December 2022

 

Dear Church Family & Friends,

How can it be Christmas season already? It seems like only yesterday when I was writing to you at this at the time of year and so much has happened since last Christmas that it’s hard to believe God could bless us so much in such a short time.

While I was relaxing this morning and singing over many Christmas carols in my mind you know the ones, Silent night, Oh Holy night, We three Kings and so on, all of a sudden, I realized I was singing an old hymn that wasn’t a Christmas Carol at all or at least not in my mind.

That hymn was “Count Your Blessings. I’m certain most of you know it. Let me remind you of the words in the chorus. Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, see what God has done.

Then not being able to remember the verses I had to look them up and the second half of the first verse really spoke to me. Count your many blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

It’s a tradition in our home at Christmas time that Bonne would get out her diary from years past and read aloud to us things that had happened in prior years. Not just presents that were given and received but also events that took place. Each year as she reads it, it is surprising to me what the Lord has done for us and our family.

Some of us have a hard time counting our blessings, just because we don’t recognize them. In Proverbs 17:1 Solomon gives us an example of where to start counting our blessings. He writes. “Better a dry crust with peace and quiet, then a house full of feasting, with strife.”

I would like to encourage each of you to take the time and write down the blessings that you have received this year and don’t forget about the dry crush times in your list. Then take your list and share it with your family and friends for by doing this God‘s glory and presence will be better known and seen this Christmas season.

In closing I would like to use the words Paul used to the Thessalonians. In 2 Thessalonians 2:16&17 Paul writes: “May Our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our father who loves us, and by his grace, gave us eternal encouragement, and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.“

Have a Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New year.

In His Service,

Pastor Joe & Bonne

 

Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us” (Luke 2:15, NKJV).

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory” (John 1:14, NKJV). Lord Jesus, we’re filled with wonder and praise at the miracleof your birth.

CANDLE—The candle symbolizes Jesus being the light of the world (John 8:12), as well as his call for Christians to be lights (Matthew 5:14). Candles play a prominent role in the Christmas season. Each candle on an Advent wreath has a special meaning. Many churches have a candlelight worship service on Christmas Eve, often at midnight.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday School – 8:15 AM in the Community Building

Choir Practice Thursdays at 1pm

You may reach Pastor Joe at 570-465-7303 or his cell #570-267-4570

Every Thursday Pastor Joe will be at the church from 10:30am to 12:30pm

Sunday, December 4th – 2nd Sunday in Advent

Thursday, December 8th – Presbyterian Women meeting and lunch – 10am

Saturday, December 10th – Session Meeting – 9am

Sunday, December 11th – 3rd Sunday in Advent

Sunday, December 18th – 4th Sunday in Advent

Wednesday, December 21st – Men’s Action Group Meeting – 8am

Wednesday, December 21st – First Day of Winter

Saturday, December 24th – Christmas Eve Service – 7pm

Sunday, December 25th – Merry Christmas!!!

Tuesday, December 27th – Newsletter Deadline

Saturday, December 31st – New Years’ Eve / Watch Night

Sunday, January 1, 2023 – Happy New Year!!!

Ladies are reminded of the Meadow View donations of any of the following: Shampoo, body sprays, body wash, nail polish remover…..they have plenty of polish. Items can be brought to the church or community building. Remember, men live there too!

 

The Madrigal Choir of Binghamton – Lessons and Carols – on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4:00, Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church, Main St. Binghamton. Find more info on Line – Madrigal Choir of Binghamton

Sunday, Dec. 4, Locally, at First Pres. in Montrose, the Christmas Chorale at 3:00

Vestal Community Band, Christian Alliance Church 7:00 on Dec. 8, and in front of J.C. Penney’s in the Oakdale Commons (Oakdale Mall) on Dec. 15 at 7:00.

Listen to WPEL 96.5 For Church Cancellation if your internet is down during a storm this winter

Choir practice will be Thursday’s, at 1 o’clock at the church. Please consider joining us in singing God’s praises!

Please sign up to host one of the social hours on the Sunday after Communion Service on the first Sunday of the month. Hosting only means setting out what is brought and cleaning up afterward. It does not mean bringing everything to share.

Plastic Grocery Bags – Please give bags to Bonne Travis – these are used to crochet sleep mats for the homeless.

Men’s Action Group ***For help with small projects for church family and neighborhood, please call Pastor Joe Travis at #570-465-7303 or email him at joe.s.travis@gmail.com

Don’t forget our card ministry – If you would like a card sent to a particular person to give them a lift or let them know they are missed or offer encouragement, etc. etc., just give the name and address to Cathe. Cards, envelopes and postage will be provided and placed on a table in the Community Building the first Sunday of each month. As we file past the table on our way to the coffee pot, we will be able to sign each of the cards and Cathe will address the envelopes and mail them.

Loose Change Offerings ( coins and bills)

1st Sunday – Local Missions

2nd Sunday – General Fund

3rd Sunday – Kenya/Rev. Malabo

4th Sunday – General Fund

5th Sunday – Trehab Local Food Bank (whenever there is a 5th Sunday)

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