December 13, 2011
Already the Fourth Sunday of Advent awaits us. I hope you will be at church on Sunday for worship, the Children’s Christmas Play (“The Little Stars of Bethlehem” to be performed following worship) and to help wrap all the Adopt a Family presents which will be delivered in the days before Christmas.
In worship we will consider the ways in which the birth of Jesus was a gift to the shepherds who kept watch over their flocks by night and to the masses which they represent. Most certainly, simply being included in the story, being recognized as worthy participants in the work of God, was one of the greatest gifts that these “peripheral” members of society could ever receive.
The inclusion of the shepherds in the story of the birth of Jesus also sets an important precedent for the ministry of the church which bears his name. In his first letter to the church at Corinth Paul reflects on this theme. “Consider your own call, brothers and sister, not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are.”
The birth of Jesus was, and is, magnificent news, a superb gift, to the masses who live on the edges of society.
Prayers of the Congregation
- Tyrone Mack on the death of his friend
- Shirley Jones in Alta Bates Hospital (no calls or visits please)
- Sandra Dunn
- Bette Pancoe
- Susan Joachim
- Edna Dorenzo
- Debra Dizin as her daughter’s recuperation continues
- Phil and Gloria Meads for Max Powers and for Joy and Jon
- Kay Baxter for her family
- Safe streets and good schools for all the people of our city
- All who are traveling
- Our children and their leaders as they prepare for their Christmas play
- Carol and Steve Leichter
- Ann Fields for her family
- Doug Marques – recovering from broken foot
- Thanksgiving with Pat Hughes that her brother is home from the hospital
- Bjoe Morris for his landlord
- Joan Patten for her brother in law
- Doris and Ted Evans for their family
- Jim Jeffery
- Al Johnson and Roy Browner
- The Sims and Muckeroy families
- Ann Fields for her family
- LaShaya Alexander
Announcements
A sincere thank you from your church staff for the appreciation gifts and coffee hour. We value your demonstration of caring and support.
Need a little respite from the rush of the season? Please join me for tea and a short reflection this Saturday morning in the Family Room at 10:30. We will consider the significance of the Christmas Tree.