Christmas Thanksgivings

• I'm thankful for a great Christmas Eve Service.  I came close to canceling the service, so I was amazed when 140 people showed up.  And there were several first-time guests.  That alone is cause for giving thanks.
  
• I'm thankful for our Emergency Warming Shelter.  Now into our second full week of operation, we had 18 in the shelter Tuesday night.  Where would they have gone if we had not opened the building?  I'm very thankful for super-volunteers Kelly Nelson and Richard Herrera as well as the rest of you who became the Body of Christ to "the least of these."
• I'm thankful for our Advent Devotional Books and for those who made contributions to it.  Kristen Gehring's devotional on the 24th was just right -- it helped me get my mind and heart into a Christmas perspective.
• I'm thankful that so many of you are faithful in your financial stewardship.  I sorted through five days of mail today, and several of you sent checks even though you haven't been able to get out.  Bless you!  
• I'm thankful to God for the gift of His Son, Jesus.  That's the best gift of all!

Sunday's Bulletin Article

Despite the weather, we had great services and Bible study groups last Sunday (Dec. 14)!  If you weren't there, I can't adequately describe the fun we had "caroling in the halls."  However, you could listen to last Sunday's message by going to our website and clicking on the Current Message Series icon.  Just follow the directions.

Ladies, if you're still looking for a great gift for the man in your life, why don't you purchase a registration for him to attend the Northwest Men's Conference on Jan. 23-24?  This year's conference is in Beaverton, and, for only $30 ($25 for guys 14-24), he will receive incredible teaching and fellowship, a Saturday continental breakfast, and a copy of speaker Stu Weber's book, Maximum Impact.  For more info or to register, go to www.mensconference.org.

Christmas Eve is just around the corner.  Our service will begin at 6:30 p.m.  Lessons and carols and candlelight -- what a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of our Lord!

SNOW DAZE

Most of us have enjoyed this unusual succession of snow days. Growing up in Baker County, we had snow on the ground from Thanksgiving through early March, with a couple of thaws spaced in there along the way (and it's what we also experienced during our 4+ years in Illinois).  However, I'm already hearing some people complain of "cabin fever."   That's when "snow days" become "snow daze."

If that's happening to you, I prescribe the following medicine:

1. Brief forays into the winter wonderland--to get the paper or mail, for instance--followed by...
   
2. A good-sized cup of hot chocolate, and completed by...
3. Some enjoyable reading.  Susie started the novel I gave her for her birthday, The Shack.
4. Then call a friend or family member for a chat.

Maybe "snow days" are God's way of saying, "Slow down a bit.  Remember who you are and be grateful for the life I've given you."

Christmas Dessert Theater

The picture of Mary (Rachel Castro) and Jesus (me!) is from the First Act of this year's Christmas Dessert Theater, "One Incredible Moment."  It was a privilege to have been a part of this phenomenal production.  In addition to the choir, ensemble, actors, and technicians, a host of other people helped with sets, costumes, publicity, desserts, set-up and take-down. Thank you to everyone who helped make this church-wide event our "gift to the community." That was our goal, and we were successful. 

One of the selections in the musical was based on Christina Rosetti's wonderful Christmas poem:

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part.

What can I give him?  Give my heart.

In a lot of ways this poem typifies this year's effort.  We all brought our gifts to Jesus.  That's how we gave him our hearts.  What a privilege.  Glory to God!

Safety or Danger?

Mary Coleridge wrote this intriguing Christmas poem:

Christmas Eve I saw a stable, low and very bare,
A little child in a manger.
The oxen knew Him, had Him in their care,
To men He was a stranger,
The safety of the world was lying there,
And the world's danger.

Talking with Christy in Peru

This is our church's Week of Prayer for International Missions. I loved conducting a live interview with our own missionary to Peru, Christy Holcomb, through the magic of Skype.

We commissioned Christy last fall, and she has been in Peru for ten months. She has at least another six months of language study before she begins coordinating the Extreme Team's Women's Team.

Christy connected with our church through Kelly Nelson's college ministry at PCC, Sylvania. After completing her agriculture degree at OSU, she came back to area, joined our church, and completed her studies at Golden Gate Seminary.

It is a marvel that we could talk with Christy in this way, and, how fantastic was it that she could be with us for the rest of the worship service? Thanks Willy and Josh for getting this set up. And thanks to all of you who have invested yourselves in Christy and her ministry!