Merry Christmas to our Church Family
Ready, Set, Go. Advent is here! It is written in Matthew 2: 1&2 that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod. Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked “where is the one who has been born King of the Jews”? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.
Advent season is upon us and maybe we should be asking the same questions as the magi of so long ago. “Where is the one born king of the Jews”?
Are we actively, looking for the next Advent and are we prepared like the magi ready to meet and worship him?
This thought brings to mind a time when I was working at the Hallstead foundry. My job was grinding the excess material off the recently poured items, and next to me worked Ed, a Christian man who continuously quoted scripture to me during the day.
This was a dirty job and we would be filthy by the end of the day. So when a day was done I would head to the locker room to clean up, change my clothes and get ready to punch out.
For the first few weeks we worked side by side. I never saw him in the locker room or standing in line to punch out at the end of the day. Then one afternoon as I was waiting to punch out there he was standing behind me, still in his filthy work clothes and I asked him why he hadn’t cleaned up and gotten ready to go?
He looked at me and said watch this. So he unzipped his coveralls and underneath was the neatest, cleanest clothes you could imagine. As we took our turn at the clock he said to me, “See I stay ready to keep from getting ready”-“Just like I’m ready for Jesus”.
This Advent season are you like the magi looking for the king? And are you ready to meet and worship him? And do you stay ready to keep from getting ready?
Bonne and I would like to wish each and every one a very Merry Christmas and Happy and Healthy New Year.
In His Service,
Pastor Joe and Bonne
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday School – 8:30 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice Every Wednesday at 4:00pm
You may reach Pastor Joe at 570-465-7303 or his cell #570-267-4570
Every Wednesday Pastor Joe will be at the church from 2-4pm if you need him.
Sunday, December 7th – Second Sunday in Advent
Monday, December 8th – Presbyterian Women meet for their annual Christmas Party. Bring a dish to share and 2 dozen cookies to exchange.
Wednesday, December 10th – Session will meet at 9:00am in the Community Building
Sunday, December 14th – Third Sunday in Advent
Wednesday, December 17th – Men’s Action Group – 8am in the Community Building
Sunday, December 21st – Fourth Sunday in Advent
Sunday, December 21st – First Day of Winter
Wednesday, December 24th – Christmas Eve Service – 7pm
Thursday, December 25th – Merry Christmas!!!
Tuesday, December 30th – Newsletter Deadline
Wednesday, December 31st – New Years Eve/Watch Night
Thursday, January 1st – Happy New Year!!!
Bill’s Kids – A total of $757 was donated for Bill’s Kids and thank you to Esther Darrow’s Estate for the matching funds that brought the total to $1514. Thank you everyone for supporting this mission.
Feed a Friend – 66 food items were collected and donated to the Feed a Friend mission. Thank you to everyone.
Sunday evening Bible Study – each Sunday in the Community Building at 5:30pm. Please note: there will be no adult Bible Study on December 14th, 21st or 28th due to the Christmas season.
“Noel Giving” – Designated under Local Mission will begin November 30th. If you wish to donate to this, please mark your offering envelope. All funds raised will stay in our community.
Prayer Shawl Ministry – In 2014, we distributed 9 Prayer Shawls. Also 36 scarves and 8 hats were donated to Interfaith. We have several shawls ready. If anyone knows of anyone in need of one, please let Carolyn White know. Also, if anyone is interested in making shawls at home and wants to donate them to this ministry, please give them to Carolyn White for distribution. Thank you!
Loose Change Offerings
1st Sunday – Local Missions
2nd Sunday – Local Missions
3rd Sunday – Kenya/Rev. Malaho
4th Sunday – Building Maintenance
5th Sunday – Habitat for Humanity (whenever there is a 5th Sunday)