The Christmas Gift
I remember when I was a young boy and the Christmas season would come. The Christmas specials started playing in the evenings on the television and we would start getting all of those fun toy catalogs each trying to catch your eye and make you buy. For a child it was the most exciting time of year because we got to bring a tree into our home and watch as the floor beneath it became covered with presents. My siblings and I would always pull them out when mom or dad weren’t home and try to guess what was in each box and then we would count how many had our name on the tag. The anticipation of the gift was what made those days, leading up to the great gift opening on Christmas morning, so fun and exciting.
Now that I have two small boys of my own I get to see their excitement as the holiday’s approach. Questions of when we are putting up the tree and when we would put the gifts under it now come from the mouths of my excited little ones. But as a parent I feel I have a very important job to do and it gets harder each year. That job is to teach my boys that Christmas has less to do with receiving gifts and more to do with praising God for our Savior that was born. The catalogs keep coming and the stores start advertising earlier each year and so it would seem that the most important part of the holiday is the presents. But as parents we know that the most important part of Christmas is the Lord’s Presence. Christmas for Christians is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and it is so easy to overshadow that importance with the expectations of gifts. Yes, gifts are wonderful and they represent those gifts given to Christ when he was born but the most important thing we need to remember is the gift of life given to us by God through His Son. It is this gift of love that I want my boys to feel and understand on Christmas morning. It is this gift of love that we need to teach over all other Christmas traditions, and I encourage you to read those words in the first and second chapters of Luke and remember the reason for the season!
“…I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Luke 2: 10-11
Pastor Nathan
Everyone is invited to join us on Sunday, December 20th for Christmas Caroling. We will meet at the church at 4:30 p.m., except those living in Marshalltown who will meet and join with others to carol there. All are invited to a soup supper afterwards at the church.
Christmas Eve Service, 6 p.m.
The children and youth of the church will be presenting a Christmas play, “Is It Really Christmas?” and there will be a special time of candle lighting.
The annual White Gift offering, to be collected at the Christmas Eve service, will be shared between the Mesquakie Friends Center and Morgan Martin’s work at Coe College. Both ministries will appreciate your generous support.
Christmas Wishes The Prince of Peace is born anew In every loving mind, O may His coming sanctify This restless humankind, And may His peace and love be deep Within your heart and mind.
-The first Christmas was a myrrhy Christmas. -Remember: the real star was in the manger, not in the sky!
Christmas Stewardship It is possible to be a good steward during Christmas but it does take pre-planning and the creating of a family-spending plan. We need to remember the focus should be on Christ Jesus and not on purchasing gifts that people might not even want or use. What we do in our families today, our children will do with their families in the future. As you take these steps in becoming a good steward you can move your family to do some service projects and help others during Christmas. Remember you are spending God's money this Christmas which He has entrusted to you. 1 Chronicles 29:11 “For everything in heaven and earth is yours, O Lord.” -Contributed (by Robin & Pedro Rosario, Crown Financial Ministries)
Helping Hands Our new ministry, Helping Hands, is a group of volunteers who are ready to help when anyone calls with a need. Whether your need is changing a flat tire, giving someone a ride, baby sitting in the event of a family emergency, or some other need there is someone waiting to help. To get help when needed you can call one of these five people and they will take care of all the rest.
Bob Roe: Ann Nichols: Charlene Martin: Paula Young: Shirley Davis:
If you would like some help or know someone within the community who would like or needs some help please pass this along and don’t be afraid to call!
Thank You “Great is thy faithfulness. Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hand hath provided. Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!” These words to a favorite hymn of many of us remind us that we have been truly provided with plenty more than we need. Thank you for being a blessing to others by sharing your abundance. Thank you for your monthly gifts for the Barber Family in Belize. -Sylvia Graves, General Secretary, Friends United Meeting (FUM)
Children’s ChurchWe’ll meet in the fellowship hall after the children’s message on December 6 and 20. Lesson and service projects will revolve around the Christmas story. We’ll create goodie plates for the carolers to deliver on the 20th. Kids age 4 through grade 4 are welcome to participate.
Wednesday Night Program Our Wednesday night program will meet on December 9th with studies at 7 p.m. and on December 16th with a meal at 6 p.m., studies at 7 p.m. The youth will meet at Nathan and Shandra’s on the 16th at 7 p.m. We will take a break over the holidays and resume meeting in January with new studies. More details will be announced soon in the weekly bulletin.
Liberty USFWLadies of Liberty USFW will gather at Robin Willits’ home on Wednesday, December 9th at 7 p.m. for our Christmas meeting. Please bring 2 dozen cookies for the cookie plates that will be prepared for delivery and also the gifts you have purchased for our adopted families.
Bangor USFWOn December 15 we will gather at Peggy Martin’s home at 1:30 with Margaret bringing the program and Betty the refreshments. Remember to bring your Christmas offering which will be sent to FUM for the salaries of Eden Grace, Joyce Ajlouny, the Barbers, and the Richmonds.
HOC Adopt-A-Family Our church has adopted a family to help at Christmas; including Dad, Mom, a 10-year old girl and a 7-year old boy. Check out the poster in the church entryway, take a sticky note with a gift suggestion and write your name on the line so we know that gift is covered. Bring the wrapped gift back by December 18. Margaret will use $$ donations to purchase gifts or food for their holiday meal. Thanks for helping to spread the love of Christ this Christmas.
Toys for ChristmasThis year the Mesquakie Friends Center is planning to give a toy to each child and youth who attends their Christmas Celebration on December 23rd. They plan to have a special Christmas project, White Christmas, with the children and youth dressed in Native Regalia, drums, and a narrator. Each person is to bring a gift for another child or youth and will draw two gifts in return. This will be a special Christmas for each child and youth as they will be able to be in the play and receive two gifts. If you feel led to help, you may send your donations to Mesquakie Friends Center, PO Box 36, Toledo, IA 52342.
Mid-WinterSr. High/College Outreach Retreat January 1-3, 2010 Middle River Friends Church, Carlisle, IA Registration $75 Be sure to bring Bible, sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, etc. Friday registration-5:30 Food games, and worship to follow Saturday: Breakfast, worship, small groups, games Lunch, Ice Skating/Broomball Dinner, worship, small groups Sunday: Worship w/Middle River Lunch 1:00 pm-goodbye! Questions? Contact: Mike Lock: michael21orange /at/ hotmail.com Many Garcia: ypmanny.mrfc /at/ gmail.com
Prayer Partner Sign UpBe sure to check your mailbox at the church during December for a sheet to sign up to participate in our Prayer Partners Program which will run for a whole year starting in January 2010. Completed sheets need to be turned in by Sunday, December 27th.
Missions - White Gift OfferingThe annual White Gift offering to be collected at the Christmas Eve service will be shared between the Mesquakie Friends Center and Morgan Martin’s work at Coe College. Both ministries will appreciate your generous support. Mesquakie Friends Center is located on a 31-acre area campus providing an excellent setting not far from the Mesquakie settlement. The ministry emphasis is on youth ministry, community contacts and being a steady presence in the community. Some adults have become involved in worship and are taking leadership roles. Directors, Victor & Brenda White write: “Our Wednesday teachers have started a fund to raise money for new playground equipment and any funds would be helpful to defray the costs. We know our God is the provider of our needs. Our wooden playground puts frowns on many because of splinters. Our teachers say there will be injuries in the future.” From Morgan: “It’s been a semester of firsts. My first time leading a team of my peers, and my first time leading someone in prayer to receive Jesus as their Savior! I had been meeting with Tyler for Bible study and when he decided at Fall Conference to follow Jesus, I couldn’t contain my joy! After the conference I found myself and my students spending more time in meetings and planning than out loving the students. I long for more moments like what I had with Tyler and more time discipling students in the mission field. Next semester we’ll be restructuring the ministry so that both the students and I can have more time in the field. I am hopeful that God also will provide the rest of the budget so I can be full time in the spring. I only need $13,000 to reach my full budget. Thank you for responding in any way God puts on your heart to move the mission forward on Coe's campus!
HOC Meal Report On November 24th 28 from BLFC were involved in preparing, serving and clean up for 50 guests on another rainy evening. Our feast included cheesy potato or leftover vegetable soup, hot ham slices, buns or bread sticks, green beans, carrots & celery with dip, mixed fruit, various Hy-Vee pies, whipped topping, cookies, milk and coffee. Join the fun at our next meal on Thursday, Dec. 31.
Library Ledge Christmas Inspiration Curl up on the sofa and warm your heart and soul this holiday season with stories found in our church library. Fiction books “Christmas Duty” and “A Time for Angels” are available along with “Christmas Stories for the Heart” by Max Lucado, Chuck Swindoll, Joni Tada, etc. Be reminded of Christ’s rustic beginnings by reading “The Birthplace of the King” and enjoy family time by checking out “Let’s Make a Memory”. “I’m Dreaming of some White Chocolate” will shift your focus toward the eternal and add a bit of humor. Also remember children’s Christmas books, videos & DVD’s are available in the fellowship hall.
In Our thoughts & Prayers ~Those who are dealing with serious illnesses. ~Those who have lost loved ones recently ~Those for whom the holidays are difficult ~Our Wednesday Night Program ~Sam & Becky Barber and family in Belize. ~Morgan Martin working with InterVarsity on the Coe College campus in Cedar Rapids. ~Victor & Brenda White at the Mesqukie Friends Center ~Nathan & Brianna Martin, new missionaries in Cambodia ~Friends Church West - IAYM’s new church venture in West Des Moines. Rich and Patty Koop will be arriving from Colorado by January 1, 2010 to assume the role of pastor. ~Camp Quaker Heights & staff as there are some projects yet to complete
In the Mail The church received a letter informing us that a group of concerned individuals in Marshall County is looking into the possibility of offering a program that would care for mildly ill children so parents could work. Individuals such as retired nurses, caregivers, teachers, students, etc. to provide such care may contact Sue Junge, Marshall County Empowerment Area, 2500 South Center Street Suite 2380, Marshalltown, IA 50158 or by phone 641-352-5090 or by email sjunge /at/ co.marshall.ia.us They are anticipating offering training sessions so people could care for children and be compensated for their services. |