Bulletin for December 18, 2011
Thank you to all who participated in the Christmas Laity Program. There will be no Sunday School on Christmas morning; but there will be church service.
There is Cause for Rejoicing
May the holy remembrance of that first Christmas Day,
Be our reassurance that Christ is not far away,
For on Christmas He came to walk here on earth,
So let us find joy in the news of His birth,
And let us find comfort and strength for each day
In knowing that Christ walked this same earthly way,
He knows all our needs, and hears every prayer,
And He keeps all His children safe in His care,
So once more at Christmas, let the whole world rejoice
In the knowledge He answers every prayer that we voice.
Helen Steiner Rice
Who Started Christmas?
A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing both children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with the kids in tow and her arms loaded with her purchases.
She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season. She was overwhelmed with the pressures to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, and get that perfect gift for every single person on her shopping list. She had to make sure she didn't forget anyone on her card list, and the pressure of being sure she responded to everyone who sent her a card was almost more than she could bear.
Finally the elevator doors opened. There was already a crowd in the elevator, but she pushed her way into the car, dragging her two kids and all the bags of stuff in with her. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."
From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet, calm voice respond, "Don't worry. We already crucified Him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.