Elkton United Methodist Church

Advent Devotional

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2015

Sunday November 29, 2015

Oh Holy Night

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, justas ours does for you.” ~1 Thessalonians 3:12

Every Christmas season, we hear the familiar song “Oh Holy Night” and it immediately places usin a stable in a distant country with angels surrounding the blessed nativity scene that heraldsthe birth of Christ. Certainly, the song was written to commemorate and celebrate that night, thatplace, and that most holy event and hearing and singing the words to the song, as the scripturesays, does increase our love for the Lord and desire to serve Him.

For me though, the scripture reminds me of the Christmas Eve services that take place in oursanctuary every year. On that holy night in the presence of my church family, my love increasesand overflows for those who celebrate the evening with me. Hearing the wonderful music, seeingthe decorations, watching the candles glowing, and seeing everyone in a festive mood certainlyhelps to set the stage. But the true spirit of the blessed birth comes to me in the smiles, hugs,shared cares, love, concern, best wishes, and tears that only loved ones can convey.

As I grow older, I must confess that my emotions are much more readily apparent and that Ifrequently find it difficult not to “tear up” in situations that are very dear to my heart. Being in lovewith the Lord and with my church family, while being together with the Lord and my church familyon Christmas Eve have been and will always be a wonderful opportunity to feel our loveincrease and overflow for each other and for God. Christmas Eve at the Elkton UnitedMethodist Church is a wonderful place to experience the spirit of the holy night and even shed atear of friendship!

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, As we approach this Advent season, we thank you for our church family.We are so blessed to have someone who cares for us on our right, on our left, in front of andbehind us each week who helps us to celebrate the joys of friendship, cares of living, andblessings of your love. Amen.

Dick Gochnauer

Monday, November 30, 2015

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 90:1-2, Numbers 17: 1-11, 2 Peter 3:1-18

As a little girl I grew up in an environment that was often very stressful. My dad is a VietnamVeteran and at the time he struggled with PTSD; the anger that coursed through his veins oftenbubbled up and overflowed onto us kids. We never knew exactly what would set off his temper,or why his anger was so often directed at us.

Fortunately, on Fridays, we would hop into my mom’s car, and she’d drive us six miles to mygrandparents’ house for a weekend stay. I loved being there because it was a place of peace,and my grandparents provided a fine model for what a Godly, loving household should look like.

The routine of driving to Ringtown was always fun, and our favorite part of the trip was findingThe Mary Tree. As we passed over hills and got nearer to our destination, we’d search for thetall slender evergreen that, to us, looked like Jesus’ earthly mother. The tree’s silhouetteappeared to have outstretched hands, and I always felt as though I was about to be wrapped inher warm embrace. Even though I knew it was just a tree, I looked forward to finding her eachweek. Regardless of what was going on, The Mary Tree was a constant reminder of God’s love.

Recently, my family and I moved from our home in Elkton to a new residence in Colora. It was adifficult decision to move from our home of ten years to a place that seemed unfamiliar andstrange. I had doubts that my children would adjust to the move.

As I traveled one bright morning, I lifted my burdens to the Lord. I yearned for reassurance thatmy children would adjust, and that we’d all be happy in our new home. I drove around the bendin the road when suddenly, I noticed the sun shining on a lone tree in the distance. It was a tallslender evergreen with a silhouette of outstretched arms. Because of God’s tender mercy, themorning light from heaven broke upon the tree and I knew that I was home. Each day when Isee the Mary Tree, I am reminded of God’s love, patience, and authority. From everlasting toeverlasting, he is my Lord.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,Through miracles big and small you show yourself to us. Forgive us when we fail to recognizeyou. Please help us to see what you have made clear. Silence our complaining hearts, andinstead lift our voices to honor and glorify your name. Let us give thanks for your tendermercies, and let us grow in the grace and knowledge of your patient love. In Jesus’ name wepray. Amen.

Nicole Morris-Stauffer

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

“Seventy years are given to us! Some may even reach eighty. But even the best of these yearsare filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear and we are gone. Who can comprehend thepower of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. Teach us to make themost of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” ~ Psalm 90: 10 – 12

These verses from the book of Psalms have really hit home for me over the past few months.Verse 10 gives us an estimate, or what used to be an estimate for the amount of time we wouldhave on this planet, but also warns us of troubles ahead. Many of us experience the sametroubles, from illnesses to car troubles and sometimes even worse tragedies. God warns us thatno matter how well our lives can be, there can be some troubling times; however, he gives ushope. He finishes verse 10 by telling us that these troubles will soon disappear, but not just thosetroubles. Our years will also go by fast, and soon we will be gone as well.

In verse 12, we see that in our limited time we need God to help teach us to be better humanbeings. While our time is limited and we may experience some very low points, these points aremeant to be lessons. Optimism helps in these low situations to pull life lessons from some of thepainful times of our lives. Often we all forget that God uses these challenging times to make usbetter, stronger for not only ourselves, but for the others as well.

Verses 10 and 12 really gave me insight to verse 11, the one I was having the most troubleunderstanding. I believe God is telling us that by not learning from these lessons, he can becomeangry at us. God is ever present, even during the bad times and that is something I havedifficulty comprehending. While the true power of God’s anger can never be measured, we mustremember that his forgiveness is even more powerful. God has the power to change our lives.These changes are meant to be lessons or stepping stones for us.

Over the last couple of months, I have experienced some really challenging situations, many ofwhich I failed to learn from. I have dealt with stress from jobs, getting work done in my home andmeeting the expectations I placed upon myself. While I was experiencing these stressful times, Iwas also having some of the best moments in my life. From meeting pro athletes, I watched as achild, to vacations, to new jobs that I had only dreamed of getting. It has truly been a year ofgrowth. But with all these great times, have come the difficult and especially challenging to me.While you are reading this devotional, I will be recovering from my first surgery and one that willtake me out of work for at least four weeks. I believe God is using this time to stop me in mytracks and teach me a lesson. While I love the career that I do, I tend to forget about taking careof myself and now I have suffered from not understanding God’s warnings. These warnings weremeant to show me that sometimes I need to take a step back. Taking time to center myself andspend time with God. These moments will not only help me, but will help me take care of others.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for the strength to learn from the bad moments in our awesome years.I pray we all understand that you can help us through these bad times to grow in our faith.Remind us that you are always present is our lives and give us faith to believe. Finally, I pray thatno matter how much time we have left, we will only experience long, wonderful years and youare there through the difficult moments. Thank you for all these experiences and chances tolearn and grow. Amen

Wesley White

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Relent, O Lord How long will it be? Have compassion on your servantsSatisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our

daysMake us glad for as many years as we have seen trouble.

May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their childrenMay the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us

Yes, establish the work of our hands ~Psalm 90:13-17

This Psalms spoke to me as I read it. Compassion, unfailing love, sing for joy, glad, deeds,splendor, favor of the Lord, work of our hands.

As we live our life here on earth don't we all want to be all things in the list above? Don't we allwant to be good Disciples of the Lord? He leads us to be our best, to follow in his footsteps to bethe best we can be.

I have been blessed to have family and friends that make me a better person every day. I amhumbled to be loved by so many people. They are the ones that give me strength to liveeveryday as a servant through good times and bad times.

As we enter Advent let us rejoice in the birth of Jesus. Let us be compassionate, show unfailinglove, sing for joy, be glad in all we do, do good deeds, may the favor of the Lord show upon usand establish the work of our hands.

Below is a song called Sing for Joy by Don Moen

O Sing for joy to God our strengthO Sing for joy to God our strength, our strength

If we call to Him, He will answer usIf we run to Him, He will run to us

If we lift our hands, He will lift us upCome now praise his name, all you saints of God.

Draw near to Him, he is here with usGive Him your love, He's in love with us

He will heal our hearts, He will cleanse our handsIf we rend our hearts He will heal our land.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, we ask that you continue to show us how to be your servant through good times andbad times. Let us sing for joy because you are here with us. Amen

Judy Tanner

Thursday, December 3, 2015

WHO ARE WE IN CHRIST

Malachi 3:5-12, Luke 1:67-75, Philippians 1:12-18

The Old Testament concept we have of God is maybe a God who is intolerant and demanding –Is He? Or is He a Father preparing His child to become a good person, a godly person. Hewarns us against the traps of sin and teaches us how to honor Him by giving to Him our tithe andofferings.

In the gospel of Luke (Zechariah’s song) He shows us praise, salvation and remembering Hiscovenant and oath to us, rescuing us from our enemies, showing how to serve Him, how toseparate ourselves, by doing right, from the world. Zechariah announced his son as a prophet;one to prepare the way, to give knowledge, salvation and forgiveness of our sins and announcingJesus as the light to guide us.

Finally, in Philippians, Paul teaches us how to serve Christ, know Christ, have confidence inChrist and ultimately, preach Christ.

So, who are we in Christ? Do we view God as intolerant and demanding? Or do we see a lovingFather who nurtures his child; as a God who leaves us to our own devices, or a Father whoprepares us for what is to come. Does He through his word and leading of the Holy Spirit showus how to serve, know and have confidence in Christ. How pleased the Father will be when Heat last see’s us able to preach Christ.

Tom White

~Luke 1:67-75

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his peopleand has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from ourenemies and from the hand of all who hate us;to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the handof our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all ourdays.

~Malachi 3: 5-12

“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers andperjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and thefatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” saysthe LORD Almighty.

“I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since thetime of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them.Return to me, and I will return to you, “says the LORD Almighty.

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbingme. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me inthis,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pourout so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests fromdevouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” saysthe LORD Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightfulland,” says the LORD Almighty.

~Philippians 1: 12-18

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance thegospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the restthat my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in theLord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out oflove, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out ofselfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only thatin every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Friday, December 4, 2015

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives ortrue, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for Iknow that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what hashappened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no waybe ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in mybody, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go onliving in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I amtorn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is morenecessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I willcontinue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with youagain your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. ~ Philippians 1: 18-26

Philippians uses the word joy every few paragraphs. Paul says to rejoice always even when youare being persecuted for your faith or are facing death. Many believe that Paul wrote Philippiansin Rome about the time Christians were being tortured and murdered. How could a man devotea letter to the topic of joy when his survival was in a serious situation? How could joy survive insuch an environment? Some Christians are experiencing this even today over 2,000 years later.We must not let these events steal our joy as Christians.

During this Christmas season we celebrate the night Jesus came to earth as a baby. Our creatortook on the unimpressive body of a human being to live a confining life and to die a grisly death.

Paul uses Jesus death to show that the darkest moment in history was turned into somethinggood.

The cross and Jesus rising from the grave proves that nothing is powerful enough to block out areason for joy – joy in the Lord.

Prayer:

Oh God of peace, we turn away from an unquiet world, seeking rest for our spirits. We bring ourwounds to be healed, our sins to be forgiven, our hopes to be renewed, and ourselves to knowjoy. Oh God in whom there is harmony draw us to you at this special time of Christmas. YouLord whose greatness is beyond our praise please lift us above our daily imperfections send usvisions of the love that is in you and the joy that may in us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Merry Christmas to all and have a joy filled New Year!

Nadine Allen

Saturday, December 5, 2015

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out alldemons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to healthe sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, noextra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do notwelcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Sothey set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing peopleeverywhere. ~Luke 9: 1-6

The Church Year begins with Advent-a Latin word, “adventus,” meaning ‘coming or arrival’...Hiscoming. It is a time of reflection and repentance in one’s life. After all, are we not looking back inremembrance of that incredible, act of God when, “in the fullness of time,” God was born man ofthe Virgin Mary. He is “the seed of the woman,” as prophesized way back in Genesis 3:15?

In the cold of November and December, whose hearts are not warmer remembering the birth ofour Savior, the Lord Jesus? It is the looking forward to the “Christ-Mass” celebration that weseek. It is the reason for the season; all other traditions are secondary. Jesus means “oursalvation,” and Immanuel means “with us, God.”

From the time of the birth of this holy baby, to 33 years later when he called His disciples to goforth throughout all Judea: preaching the Kingdom of God, healing the sick, and casting outdemons. They went out with the power of the Holy Spirit.

From a baby to a man, Christ would do great things, mighty things, and then He would give upHimself to die for our sins. For his death on the cross, in believing, guarantees oursalvation. His birth set all this in motion. In the eyes of our heart as we once more gaze uponthe baby Jesus, lying in the dark stable, He came to be the light in a dark world. And we knowthe rest of the story.

Therefore, let us pray for His power to send us out to do His will with the gladness of the season.

Amen.

Ivan Mehosky

Sunday, December 6, 2015

WAITING FOR JESUS

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking

will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says

the LORD Almighty.2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he

will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will

purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings

in righteousness,4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days

gone by, as in former years. ~Malachi 3: 1-4

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with

joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he

who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.7 It is right for me

to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and

confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you

with the affection of Christ Jesus.9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in

knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and

blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to

the glory and praise of God. ~Philippians 1: 3-11

In Malachi 3, we are told that Jesus will be like a refiners fire and that we will be judged. Soundsharsh, but many of us have walked through that fire and have emerged forever changed. Jesusis like that. Malachi also tells us of the mercy extended by Our Lord, in preparing a way for thearrival of Jesus. Yes, we have a preview through the messenger, John the Baptist, sentspecifically to “prepare the way.”

When we view all of this from the Old Testament, carefully prepared, packaged and tied with abow, we see God’s Prophecy fulfilled!

During advent, spend some time looking outside the box. This popular phrase causes us to lookbeyond the obvious. The box is heavy with history, prophecy and challenges. Outside the box,we can examine our current state, but while we mourn our fallen leaders and the distressful stateof our world, something is happening. The box radiates...a light, bright and beckoning. It canonly be...LOVE...CHRISTIAN LOVE! The love inside the box is enough to light the world, butonly when it is outside the box!

Oh, what a sweet gift, but in Philippians 1, Paul tells us that CHRISTIAN LOVE is not meresentiment, but rather, it is rooted in knowledge and understanding. This box contains JOY, but itcomes with a challenge...to find more about this amazing LOVE, a love like no other. Rootingourselves in this knowledge and understanding requires study and prayer plus interaction withothers.

Open the box, follow the directions and prepare to spread a special LOVE...CHRISTIANLOVE...everywhere! Inside the box it is a promise, outside the box, a promise fulfilled and LOVEenough to share!

AMEN

Gail & Rich Juergens

Monday, December 7, 2015

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of

Zion, we were like those who dreamed.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,

Our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. ~Psalm 126: 1-3

It is easy to be thankful when things are going well. When you receive an unexpected check inthe mail or get a surprise visit from a friend you have not seen in a while, it is only natural to feelgratitude for the life you have been given. Just as the people of Zion were filled with laughterand joy when their good fortune was restored, smiles and happiness come easily when we feelthat we have been blessed with a gift. Watch a child’s eyes light up on Christmas morning whenthey see that Santa has come; think of the overwhelming joy that comes over new parents asthey welcome their baby into the world; feel the gratitude of those less fortunate when you offerthem a gift or your time- it’s easy to see that giving breeds joy.

This reading challenges us as spiritual beings to look deeper beyond the obvious. Sure, givingsomeone a gift can make them happy, but what does this mean to us as individuals? First, itmeans that giving is a way of life to be admired. Jesus knew this all too well. He spent his lifegiving. Whether he was giving food to the hungry, his time to the lonely, or his forgiveness to thecondemned, Jesus lived his life with ultimate humility, never putting himself before the needs ofothers. We all have that same power to give as abundantly as we choose. Each of us hassomething unique to offer a friend, a family member, a stranger, or ultimately to our creator. Ifgiving breeds joy, we are called as followers of Jesus to seek a more humble and giving way oflife inspired directly by the life of Jesus. Opportunities are all around you. From offering a smileto a stranger as you pass on the street, or a few minutes of your time to chat with a neighborwhen you cross paths on your way out in the morning, to making a gift of yourself by volunteeringor offering donations, every moment presents itself as a choice between doing something foryourself and doing something for others. When you look at life this way, Jesus walks with you inconscience to guide every decision you make. He may encourage you to wake up on time ratherthan hitting the snooze alarm so that you can have ten extra minutes to spend quality time withyour family, or chatting with that neighbor before you have to leave. This same decision mayallow you to be less stressed while driving to work, allowing you to smile at other drivers ratherthan give in to road rage. When you walk with Jesus on a path of giving, your purpose canbecome clearer every day as you improve yourself in order to improve your gifts to others. Inthis way, we are all capable of passing on the same joy felt by the grateful people of Zion.

In addition to being an inspiration to give, this reading can also be seen as a challenge to viewlife itself as a gift from a perspective of gratitude. What a world it would be if every persontreated every moment like Thanksgiving, calling to mind all his blessings with every thought.Imagine how much happier everyone would be if we strived to live every moment with thegratitude expressed by the people of Zion in this reading. If you are reading this, you have beenblessed with life and existence. If you repent for your sins, Jesus offers you forgiveness. No

matter your circumstances, these two gifts stay with you with every breath you take. You weregiven these gifts at no cost. Your parents and God gave you life without you having to earn it.As well, Jesus gave you forgiveness without asking you to earn it. How can you reciprocate forgifts you have not earned? Pay it forward.

This month, on a trip home from New York to visit family, we arrived at the toll both on theDelaware Memorial Bridge. I handed the woman the $4 toll, and she smiled and replied, “That’sO.K., the car in front of you already paid your toll.” A wave of gratitude came over me for this giftI had not earned. We had literally no way of thanking or repaying this generous person, so wequickly decided to tell the attendant to use our $4 to pay it forward and cover the next car tocome through. We paid the same $4 we would have paid anyway, but we were given great joyand prayed that we were able to give a similar joy to the people in the next car. What a profoundgift it may have turned into for the car in front of us who gave an extra $4 if every car reacted aswe did and paid it forward. For $4, that first giver could have given a smile and a sense of joyand hope to car after car for as long as people chose to continue paying it forward. For all weknow, the cycle could still be running and the forward payment could still be going on as I sit herewriting. It didn’t cost us a thing. We were simply given a smile and responded by giving a smile,all thanks to that first person who decided to give.

Later that same week, we arrived at the checkout counter at ALDI, where you can only pay bycash or debit card. The result of this is that if you put more in your cart than you have in cash,you are unable to use a credit card to cover the difference. We thought we were being prettydiligent about monitoring our spending, but apparently a few unaccounted items slipped into thecart or our calculations were off, because we came up a little short at checkout. We had severalitems that we did not really need so we decided to put back a few less necessary items to reduceour total. We thought that was the end of it. As we packed up our groceries, the man who wasin line behind us walked up to us with the items we put back and told us that they were on him.These items included 2 chocolate bars and what would have been our second and third cases ofbottled water- obviously not absolute necessities, but the man chose to give anyway. We wereeffectively speechless, and he knew exactly how grateful we were. He said “It all comes backaround, just do something for someone else sometime.” As he left, we were awestruck andimmensely grateful. We remembered our experience at the Delaware Bridge, and wondered ifthis was God’s way of showing us that the generosity we passed on to the car behind us didn’tstop there. There is never a moment in your life where you have nothing to be thankful for. Ifyou ever start to feel that way, try giving to someone for no reason in whatever way you possiblycan. Who knows where your good deed will lead if the person you give to decides to pay itforward.

Always look to make yourself a gift to others from God. Always remember the gifts you are giveneach and every day you are blessed with life. Take joy in the gift of forgiveness and respond bybeing forgiven. Life itself is a miracle in more ways than anyone can imagine. Let’s work towardallowing this truth to shape our lives as followers of Jesus. Amen

Mike Cunha

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

"Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tearsreap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seeds of sowing, shall comehome with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves." ~ Psalm 126:4-6

“May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.” Hope and expectation. These seem to betwo of the strongest feelings expressed not only in this particular phrase, but in today’sreading. In the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, Psalm 126 is identified as “AHarvest of Joy.” As one of the shorter psalms in the Bible, I find that it actually captures morethan joy. It reveals a deeper longing to be physically and spiritually restored. For the psalmist,joy comes from having hope in the knowledge that God both understands the struggles of thepeople and that God will turn the people’s tears into shouts of joy.

When I first read these passages, I kept thinking about all of the different struggles that we eachface on a day to day basis in all of the different areas of our lives. Whether these be at home,work, our communities, or in the larger scope of this country, or the world, it is the struggles thatleave us crying out for God to hear and take notice; to restore us.

In this season of Advent, I wonder how many of us are experiencing these very sameemotions. Like the psalmist who wrote about sowing tears in the hope of harvesting joy, we asChristians reflect on the hope and expectation of the in-breaking of God's kingdom during theseason of Advent. Though we know how that God’s kingdom will come to Earth, that we willhave Christmas and Easter, I encourage all of us to reflect on what it means to hope for the in-breaking of God’s kingdom in the current challenges and struggles that we face here and now.

Prayer:

Dear God, in this season of Advent, help guide us as we wait with hope and expectation for youheal and restore us. Amen

Sarah Alphin

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have ananxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with therecompense of God. He will come and save you. ”Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue ofthe mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; theburning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt ofjackals, where they lie down the grass shall become reeds and rushes. ~Isaiah 35:3-7

Christmas is almost upon us, and hopefully everyone is as excited as I am. When people hear ofChristmas, the words presents or Santa Claus come up, but other people might think of familyand friends. Christmas is a fun time for many, but for some it’s really difficult. It has beenshown that out of all the things in America that could cause stress, Christmas is one of thebiggest. Christmas causes economic troubles for many, and can keep all of us from focusing onthe real reason for the holiday.

Last year, the average amount spent on Christmas was $781, the highest since 2008. Peopleare so focused on gifts that they find it hard just to sit down and relax. Maybe a good way to stayrelaxed and focused on the real reason for Christmas, is to remember what Isaiah said in thispassage – that so many good things come because of Jesus – among them healing, abundanceand life!

Maybe focusing on that can help everyone stay relaxed and not so stressed thisChristmas. Maybe focusing on God and God’s gift of Jesus can help us be thankful for what wehave – like family and friends. And maybe, if you’re one of the people overwhelmed by troublesright now, this passage can remind you that God promises good things ahead – because ofJesus.

So, look to God, be patient, and trust him.

Prayer:

Dear God, bless everyone this holiday season, especially those who are struggling in anyway. Comfort those who are sad or alone, and cause them to know that they are yours, and youare with them always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Damien Hollyday

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength andmy might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deedsamong the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has donegloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great

in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. ~ Isaiah 12:2-6 (NRSV)

When Bob and I lived in New Jersey, we were members of South Vineland UMC. One Sunday,a combined children, youth and adult choir sang “The First Song of Isaiah”, which is based ontoday’s reading. The anthem began with the children’s choir repeating the chorus “Surely it isGod who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and mysure defense, and he will be my Savior.” I can still hear their little voices - a few off key andsome not quite in tempo - ringing with enthusiasm, joy and complete trust.

There’s something powerful in childlike trust - simply knowing and accepting God’s power andmight, without any doubts. It is pure; it is holy and humbling. But what happens as we get olderand life brings challenges, disappointments, hurts, and suffering? That trust, that faith canbecome clouded with doubts, resentment, mistrust.

Today is my grandfather’s birthday. He was presented with twists and turns throughout his life:moving his family from East Texas to Charleston, SC, to find work in the shipyards duringWWII… watching his only son – my dad – make the decision to join the Navy and then beshipped off to Vietnam…discovering his 17 year old, unmarried daughter was pregnant…facingthe sudden, untimely death of my grandmother at age 59…and in his later years battling cancer,and then finally losing that battle. How did he react? Did he accept what was thrown at him andgo on? Or did he think, like many of us, “Where’s God now? Where’s His strength and might?How can I give thanks when all is crumbling around me?”

But then in the midst of it all we see the manger. We see the shining star, we hear the angelssinging, we hear the tiny baby cry … and we are reminded that our joy, our salvation has cometo us once again. Our faith is restored and renewed; we know that surely, it is God – through thegift of His Son Jesus – who saves us.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for loving us, and for saving us, over and over again. We love and praiseYour Holy name. Amen.

Krista (Anderson) Gilmore

Written in memory of my grandfather William Lenwood Anderson (12/10/1908 – 4/18/1990)

Friday, December 11, 2015

Read: Amos 8: 4-12

“Hear this, you who would swallow up the needy,and make the poor of the land fail, saying: ‘When will

the New Moon be past, that we may sell grain? And theSabbath, that we may trade our wheat? Making

the ephah small and the shekel large, falsifying thebalances by deceit, that we may buy the poor for silver,

and the needy for a pair of sandals--even sell bad wheat?’(verses 4-6 NJKV)

THE VW SYNDROME

Business is booming in Israel. There is a feeling of optimism but those holding political andeconomic power have built their prosperity by deceit and moral compromise. While things lookgood on the surface, greed, injustice, and false religious teaching abound. God calls Amos toprophesy to the people Israel, and being the farmer that he was he held a basket of rotting fruitillustrating to the people the state of their relationship to God and each other and calling them torepentance. I seem to sense a parallel today and cite one example to illustrate my point.Volkswagen, the largest auto manufacturer in the world, has been exposed for cheating onemissions tests. They did so by inserting software into 11 million “clean diesel” cars thatdetected when the cars were being scrutinized for pollution. In the test lab the cars were on theirbest behavior--all their control gear working to reduce emissions. When the cars hit the road, thegear switched off to give them better performance. Emissions zoomed up to 40 times federalstandards. (source: USA Today). Looks like rotten fruit to me, “falsifying the balances by deceit”.Why is the observance of Advent so important to us? God is sending his only Son to hold beforeus a standard of righteousness, love, and grace. God tell us that we can do better than the VWSyndrome.With the coming of Jesus we are told again of the possibilities.

Prayer:

God of love and justice, take away our tendency to impose our agenda of advancement at theexpense of others. Our good intentions sometimes get pushed aside by greed and blindness tothe moral consequences. Help welcome Jesus this Advent with the hope of a new day in ourlives and in world events. Amen.

Rev. George N. Leathrum

Saturday, December 12, 2015

When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives

heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. On the eighth day they came to

circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up

and said, “No! He is to be called John.” They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has

that name.” Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked

for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth

was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. All the neighbors were filled

with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone

who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was

with him. ~Luke 1: 57-66

On a trip my late husband and I found our home, on an island, it was run down and neglected butwe saw our dream home. We worked together rebuilding the house. Next was time for a familybut each month would end up in tears for no baby. I knew God could hear my prayers and Godknew my dreams of a family. So I learned to look at life differently as when God would answersmy prayers, instead of he did not answer my prayers. This brought so much happiness to mylife. My husband and I worked side by side putting on new roof, and rebuilding the house. Usingthe outhouse and washing outside under a rain barrel, food from the bay and garden. A life manywould not want but we were happy and our love grew so strong. We held each other up. We builta strong bond with each other and with God. God knew my path and I would need this strengthfor the road ahead. After three years our prayers were answered. I will never forget the joy on myhusband’s face, God gave us our dream a beautiful baby boy. Then two more sons. God had aplan for us, the same as he had plans for Elizabeth and Zechariah. I had to except Gods planwhen cancer took my husband’s strength and voice. During our years together we grew strong inour love and our bond with the Lord. This strength got us through the road ahead. When weexcept that God loves us and has a plan for us, trust him, we find strength. Elizabeth grew in herfaith and to trust in God for the path ahead. She needed this strength at a very old age tobecome the mother of John. She also helped Mary find strength for her road ahead as themother of Jesus. Zechariah lost his voice I guess so the people would see a miracle in John’sbirth. Zechariah found strength in choosing the name John for his son and this strength broughta beautiful moment when he could speak again praising the Lord. Everyone who heard the newsknew the hand of the Lord was on the child John.

Trust in the Lord, he will give you the Strength you need. He has a plan for you!

Mary Ann Schmidt

Sunday, December 13, 2015

The LORD Your God is in Your Midst

Dec 24th, 2001. This is not like any other Christmas Eve our family has ever experienced. Ournation is at war and our Soldier is deployed half a world away. He has only been gone for sixweeks but we miss him so much, especially this night. It was a difficult decision to spendChristmas away from family but I felt led to stay where the Army assigned us. A few hours agowe purchased the last Christmas tree on the lot. It’s now decorated and we are lying togetheraround it. Our hearts are hurting yet there is also peace in remembering that our Jesus is withus and with our precious Soldier, Husband, Daddy. God is with us. Sleep finally comes. Hequieted us with His love that night just as God promised in Zephaniah 3:17. Immanuel!

4:38 AM, December 25, 2001 Joint Operations Center, Special Operations Command (Central),a country in the Middle East – Having deployed shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attack, I foundmyself in charge of the joint special operations command center, responsible for missions inAfghanistan. I have the night shift which is the busiest, yet it seems as if the enemy has taken anight off. I welcome the tactical pause but the night is passing slowly, leaving more time thanusual to think. My thoughts go to my wife and six daughters thousands of miles away. I missthem, my eyes moisten, I hope nobody is looking. The quiet hum of computers and videoscreens is interrupted as Azhan, the Muslim predawn call to prayer begins. Though muffled byseveral layers of sandbag walls, it is yet another reminder that I am far from home and this is notthe Christmas morning with my precious family that I so look forward to every year. Yet before Ilapse into the pity party that I rightfully deserve, the still small voice echoes….”Immanuel”.

God met me that morning right when I needed Him. The prophet Zephaniah reminds us that“The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. On that day it shallbe said to Jerusalem, ‘Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The LORD your God is inyour midst’.”

So we will take time this holiday season to remember that Christmas is all about God coming tobe with his people. He is with us … the Great I Am … Immanuel.

Rich and Diana Juergens

Monday, December 14, 2015

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

The Spirit of counsel and might,The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. ~ Isaiah 11:1-2

These words show us that the love of God is passed down through the generations. Thepassage is also a reminder that God is faithful to his children and bestows His spirit, wisdom,counsel, and knowledge on those who seek it. Similar to a family holiday tradition or recipepassed down from one child to the next, these words serve as a sense of comfort andreassurance during a busy holiday season. We are reassured through the words in Isaiah thatGod is ever present as we navigate throughout our lives. However, depending on the presentcircumstances, it can be difficult to feel God’s presence. This is especially true during busy andstressful times. Though it shouldn’t be, the Christmas season can feel like this, and it’s easy tobe distracted with trivial things.

Every year during the Advent season we have the opportunity to pause and wait for the comingof Jesus. Instead of racking our brains over what gift to give, what type of cookies to bake, orwhat party is coming up next, we are invited to turn our attention to God’s promise of Jesus. Thisfour week period allows for reflection so we can center ourselves. It’s a time to silence the“background noise” and thank God for his blessings. It is in these moments that we seek Hiswisdom and counsel and feel rested in His presence. This scripture passage allows us to praywith thanksgiving to the Lord for His faithfulness at a time when it is most needed.

Prayer:

Lord, Please help us to be cognizant of your promise to us, even when we may be too busy torealize your blessings. Let us call upon You for Your wisdom, understanding, counsel, andknowledge during this busy Christmas season. We appreciate Your faithfulness and are thankfulfor those reminders throughout scripture. Allow us to center on You for the remainder of theAdvent season and into the New Year. Amen

Emily Topper

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the placewhere he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdomof God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.Some were convinced by what he said but others would not believe. They disagreed amongthemselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spokethe truth to your forefathers when he said through the prophet:“ ‘ Go to this people and say, “Youwill be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” Forthis people’s heart had become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closedtheir eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with theirhearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation hasbeen sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came tosee him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about theLord Jesus Christ. ~ Acts 28: 23 – 31

When we prepare for this season it is important to celebrate Jesus with the end in mind. Whathas Christ called us to do in the freedom he has given us through Grace? His birth and deathmean nothing to our lives if it doesn’t change us. God has called us all to live as a beacon ofChrist’s love and has sent us as warriors to fight for his kingdom. Paul was converted from apersecutor of Christians to be a champion of Christ. His life was not wasted in wallowing in self-pity. He did not look back and let his past broken views of life weigh down Christ’s calling for him.He was forgiven and he stepped out boldly to proclaim his name. We are not meant to followChrist meekly or halfway. We are meant to follow him completely. We are not meant to do italone. We are called to go forth together with the talents, gifts, and the power of the Holy Spiritwho gives us strength and guides our conscience.

Where is your walk? How bold is your faith? How do you show the world that Christ is King? Hashe transformed you? If not what is stopping you? Will you be ever seeing and never perceiving;will you hear but never let it change you; or will you step out in faith letting Christ transform yourheart and understand and be healed? He needs us to join the fight because time is wasting andthe treasure we store in heaven are those we lead to him. Our reward is seeing themtransformed in heaven forever. Before saying that God can’t possibly mean that for me, considerthis: We have all sinned, we are all broken, and we have lots of regrets. Our brokenness throughChrist is like the broken glass of a stained glass window. Transformed from broken pieces to thecomplete work of art God created us to be. Our broken pieces put together add color, texture,and tell a story. When Christ’s light shines through it the world will see what Christ’stransformation can do to those that believe, ask Christ in, repent, and live fulfilled in Him … ifthey choose to see… let them hear your story of grace!

Prayer:

God, help me consider what it means to live boldly in Christ. Help give me the strength to followyou completely. Open my eyes and ears so that I may understand and be healed so I may walkin humble confidence knowing you and proclaiming your name. Amen.

Bill Graham

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat,the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into theviper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,

for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. ~ Isaiah 11:6-9

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has ademon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and adrunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” ~Luke 7:33-35We see so much in the news today concerning discrimination, racism, people being offended byvarious groups and ideals different from their own. We’re offended when something goes againstour own beliefs, others act differently, do things other than we’re accustomed to, speakdifferently than us, and the list goes on.

The verses from Isaiah speak of wolves and lambs, the calf and lion lying together, being led bya child. This is certainly not the case of our world today in comparison to what we see in thenews on television, read the paper, come across various posts on Facebook and other socialmedia. And the verses from Luke remind us of how John the Baptist and Jesus were viewed intheir lifetimes. Not much has changed in all these years, has it?

I often wonder what can we do as individuals in the face of all these differences, do you? While Ithink I can’t make a difference on a global level, we can make a difference on an individual level.Are our interactions with others on a daily basis a representation of the non-judgmental, forgivingattitude that as Christians we should have? Do we just accept people for who they are, anotherperson, rather than defining them in our minds by our differences? Are your interactions positive,leaving the person you encounter with a feeling of love and acceptance? Do you immediatelylook for something wrong, the differences, or an opportunity to insult, chastise or expressdisapproval in your interactions?

God sent Jesus to show us the way to him, to love others even when we may not like them oragree with their lifestyles our beliefs. The study guide in my Bible interprets the wolf in verse 6above as being the sinner and the lamb as those who are saved. But even though we believe,are we all still not guilty of some sin? When we judge or express our disapproval of another, arewe not sinning just the same?

Prayer:

Dear God, Thank you for giving us this time of Advent, to be hopeful, to remember and reflect onthe coming celebration of Jesus’ birth, whom you sent to save us all. Help us to remember to bea light to others, to be a reflection of your love and the love that Jesus’ showed to others in oureveryday lives and interactions with others regardless of our differences. In Jesus’ name wepray. Amen.

Sandra Lavelle

Thursday, December 17, 2015

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israeland the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them

by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was theirhusband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after thosedays, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be theirGod, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother,

saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares theLord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” ~ Jeremiah 31: 31-34 (ESV)

Naughty or Nice

I was six years old. It was Christmas Eve and the house lay dark and still. Even my parentsslept soundly in their downstairs bedroom; Daddy’s snores confirmed it. But, upstairs, I shiveredbeneath my patchwork quilt, wide awake, straining my ears for the jingle of Santa’s sleigh bellsor a gentle whoosh as he descended our chimney. And I was worried. I’d heard all week aboutSanta’s “Naughty or Nice” lists from my older siblings, and I wasn’t at all sure I’d made the “Nice”one. Be good for a whole year? How could anybody do that?

What would it be like to see my brothers and sister open longed for gifts the next morning, andpull chocolate and oranges and toys from their stockings while mine was heaped with coal andswitches? I sighed and squeezed my eyes shut tight. At least Santa might think I was asleep.And there was always next year. Maybe I could try again . . .

As I grew older, I stopped believing in Santa Claus. But I never quite got over that desire toplease, that belief that if I just worked harder, was better behaved, and did more that I might beacceptable—might squeeze under the radar—as long as no one knew the real me.

The problem with perfectionism is not the strong work ethic or a desire for self-improvement, butthe belief that we can become what we need to become on our own.

None of us are perfect—not in our behaviors and not in our thoughts or hearts. No matter howhard we work or how much we improve our good works will never provide atonement.

The Israelites in our Scripture text could not achieve perfection through trying to keep God’s lawanymore than I could “be good.” They broke His law again and again. God covered their sinsthrough their sacrificial shedding of the blood of bulls and goats—a picture of the sacrifice thatwould one day come through the shedding of blood by Jesus, the Messiah.

Because of Jesus, our perfect Savior and Redeemer, our absolute Christmas gift, we no longerhave to shed the blood of bulls and goats. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, ourLord and the Messiah of Israel, we don’t have to be perfect in our own right.

Jesus sacrificed his perfect life in our place, and in shedding His blood, provided atonement forus, opening a new covenant. While here, He showed us how to interpret and live God’s perfectlaw, written for our good and blessing.

By accepting Jesus’ perfect sacrificial gift, and by coming to know Him better through the dailydeepening of our relationship with Him, we find that He puts His law in our minds, He writes His

law in our hearts—just as He promised. He is our God and we are His people. We know Himand He knows us. He calls us by name, forgives us, and remembers our sins no more.

Be good for a whole year? I will never achieve that, but praise God, most truly, it’s not up to me.My part is surrender, repentance, and following Him in love and obedience. He has done all therest.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, forgive us our striving for perfection apart from You. Lead us to true repentance, helpus turn from our sins, our arrogance, from all the ways in which we fall short of Your perfect lawborn of love and liberty. Thank You for the gift of You, for all You have demonstrated for us inkeeping our Father’s law during Your time on earth, for the perfect love and compassion Youoffer us, for eternal salvation bought through Your own shed blood. Thank You for writing Yourlaw on our hearts and in our minds, for helping us more clearly see and understand all that yourequire of us for our own good and blessing. We love and adore You. We bow before You,offering the gift of our hearts and the works of our hands. Help us to live for Your glory. ThroughJesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Cathy Gohlke

Friday, December 18, 2015

Authentication

Read: Hebrews 10: 32-39

“Don't ever forget those wonderful days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how youkept right on with the Lord even though it meant terrible suffering.” ~Hebrews 10:32, The Book

Recently I came across this cartoon: So, the man shows up at the pearly gates and there isSaint Peter sitting at his podium desk and staring at his computer monitor. Saint Peter says tothe man, “Sorry, your user name and password don't match.”

That cartoon gave me a chuckle. More often than I want to admit, I log on to my computer andattempt to enter a web site only to be told to “Try again” or “Your User Name/Password is invalid”or my favorite, “Authentication failed”. Most likely I have not visited the website recently – itsnewness having worn off. And rather than a case of striking the wrong keys, the problem is that Idon't remember what user name and password pairing I chose for this particular website when Ifirst set it up.

The Apostle Paul, in this letter to the Hebrews, is encouraging the folks in that church toremember the first wonderful days of their faith. It is also an encouragement for us today toremember those days when we first believed: days when we were excited because of the depthof love we found in Jesus, when we were on fire for Jesus, wanted to find out all about Him,when He filled our every thought and when everything we did and said was an expression of Hislove for us.

Paul charged the Hebrews and he charges us to continue with that same intensity of faith, evenin adversity. So during Advent I will reflect on the coming of Jesus into our world and why Goddid such a thing as send his Son here. I will re-examine my faith and get excited again and, ifneed be, re-set the course of my faith so that what I call myself - a Christian, a follower of Jesus,and how I pass through this life are a match. I will strive to be an authentic Christian.

Thought for the Day: Entry to heaven requires the user name of Christian and Jesus as thepassword.

Prayer:

O Lord, my God, thank you for the gift of your Son whom You freely sent to guarantee oursalvation. As we celebrate His birth, may we share with the world the message of your love andmercy toward us. May we all know the peace and joy that comes with a strong faith. Amen

Dianne Thompson

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Read Isaiah 66: 7-11

The Lord says “Would I ever bring this nation to the point of birth and then not deliver it?” No! Iwould never keep this nation from being born.” ~ Isaiah 66:9

The selections that were given to me were going to be a challenge. I chose Isaiah 66; 7-11because it seems to me to fit what occurred in my life and with the life at EUMC. The verse Ichose says to me that the Lord will provide the church, the nation and then will deliver the finalsalvation.

Cheryl and I came to EUMC about five years ago. We were starting to doubt our belief in Godand for what purpose did he have for us. We decided that maybe we needed to look for a newchurch. We went to several churches but nothing leapt out to us as this is the church that willhelp us to regain our belief in the Lord. We came to EUMC one Sunday on a lark and thegraciousness and reception that we received was outstanding. I don’t remember the messagethat day but it really got us to thinking that this is the church that will help us turn our faith aroundand really believe in the Lord again. The Lord gave birth to this church and we know he worksthrough this church to ensure everyone that he will deliver us at the end if we believe.

As we are in the advent season and preparing for the birth of Jesus, it is time to reflect on thetrue meaning of the birth of Christ. He is revealed to the people in the likeness of the people.With the birth of Jesus, he continues the ministry and word of God. He reassures us that thosewho believe in him will have everlasting life. We just need to keep praying and be patient andthe Lord our God will take care of us.

So, where am I in my belief? Sometimes it is hard by just seeing what is going on around us. Ido believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and that’s what keeps me going from day to day. I try not toget too caught up on the current events knowing that there are better days ahead.

As I always say, Elkton United Methodist Church continues to be an exciting place to be. I knowit is for me. It re-affirmed my faith in the Lord.

Those who are victorious in their love of Jesus Christ will sit on the throne with Jesus just as hesits on the throne with his father.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the birth of your son who reinforces your word and that youwill continue to guide us in our journey. May there someday finally be peace on earth. In thename of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Bill Ferringer

Sunday, December 20, 2015

And Mary said:“My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.

And His mercy is on those who fear HimFrom generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.He has helped his servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,

As he spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.” ~ Luke 1: 46-55

In the world of classical music, this is a familiar passage of scripture. Many composersand arrangers have created their own interpretation of the “Magnificat” of “Song of Mary.” Someare boisterous and full involving a full orchestra and a giant choir. Others are more simple,elegant and intimate. Most traditional versions are sung in Latin, while more contemporaryversions are in English. If you search on YouTube, you will find endless versions of this song.Even our Chancel Choir sang a version during last year’s cantata that involved music composedby Sergei Rachmaninoff with a violin solo. How can there be so many variations based on onepiece of text?

Instead of simply reciting this passage, imagine Mary singing these words. Would shequietly or loudly? Would she sing high soaring notes or have a more grounded, reserved tone?Each time I read these words, the music changes depending on my mood, my environment andmy experiences. We get to create our own music based on our connection to the scripture andour relationship with God.

A few years ago, I sang in a concert called “Poetry in Song” with the Baltimore ChoralArts Society. When comparing poems to song lyrics, our director said that lyrics need to havemusic to complete the work. However, poetry contains its own music. The same could be saidof the “Magnificat,” filled with its own melody, harmony and rhythm.Heavenly Father,

Thank you for giving us the ability to express ourselves and communicate through music.As we near Christmas Day, allow us to open our ears, hearts and minds to your word and yourmessage. Help us to cherish the beautiful things in our lives and to count our blessings. InJesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Steve Gilmore

Monday, December 21, 2015

Read Colossians 1:15-20

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ~Colossians 1:15

“Measure Twice, Cut Once”

One of the first lessons taught by carpenters to their budding apprentices is to “measure twice,cut once.” Carpenters know how important it is to make the first cut of a piece of wood the rightlength and at the correct angle. There is, after all, only one chance to get it right without wastingboth time and valuable raw material. Good carpenters are grounded in accuracy, patience, asharp eye, and in the practical and tangible.

Imagine how Joseph, a skilled carpenter, must have felt when the messenger of God came tohim directing him to marry Mary as the human father-to-be of the Messiah. What a shockingcontrast to the orderly, methodical and tangible existence to which Joseph was accustomed!

Not coincidentally, though, Joseph was a man of strong faith who closely followed law andtradition. While the unfolding events of God’s plans for humanity were beyond hiscomprehension, he clearly knew God had selected him to play an important role in the young lifeof the “firstborn of all creation.” In the end, Joseph’s faith, together with his well-groundedexistence, were the perfect combination—certainly not surprising since he was chosen by God—to raise young Jesus well-taught in traditional religion and even in carpentry.

As we scurry through these final days before Christmas, grounding ourselves out of necessity inthe list-filled reality of all that needs to be done in preparation for this holy day, let us bereminded of the miraculous words that the messenger brought to Joseph. Let the strength offaith possessed by Joseph transcend the hustle and bustle of the few days before we againcelebrate the birth of Jesus. And let the same wonder that filled Joseph also fill our souls: God’swondrous plan to remove from us the burdens of our sins by bringing Himself to us in ourpractical and tangible world.

Let us pray:

God, we are in awe of the perfection of your plan for us, born of your endless love. We humblythank you for bringing the baby Jesus to our world so that he might, even today, nurture oursouls and teach us, and ultimately wash away our sin, granting us eternal life with him in Yourdivine presence. Help us today to remain mindful of the Heavenly wonder of Christmas even aswe are immersed in earthly preparation. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Tim Webb

The “Measure Twice, Cut Once” theme is adapted from a Christmas Eve message I heard a number of years ago,delivered by then pastor David Weddington at New Ark United Church of Christ.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Psalm 113

Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, you his servants; praise the name of the LORD.Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high,

who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

WHEN I WAS THREE YEARS OLD

When I was three years old, we lived out in the country, several miles from the then-small townof Walnut Creek, California. One summer morning I awoke before my parents did and wentoutside to play with our dog, which was a stray that had come to live with us several weeksearlier. The dog decided to explore some low, rolling hills that arose a short distance beyond ourhouse, and I followed. In due course, the house was out of sight and I became uncomfortablewith how far the dog had wandered, and how far I was into an area where my parents hadforbidden me to go. I stopped following the dog, but then realized that I did not know the wayhome. I was lost.

Meanwhile, when my parents had arisen and discovered that I was missing, they set out on footin different directions to look for me. My dad spotted me as a small figure in the distance walkingacross the brow of a hill. He later said that he had trouble catching up with me because eachtime he would reach the top of a hill, he would see me disappearing over the next hill. He wasfrantic, because I had crossed fields where bulls were sometimes pastured, and rattlesnakeswere not unknown in the area.

By this time, still out of my dad’s sight, I had come upon a reservoir and had stopped to considerhow I might reach an odd-looking little house surrounded by water and accessible only by anarrow catwalk. I thought I might get help from someone who lived there, not understanding thatit was just a pump house, and not someplace where people lived. However, I found that thecatwalk was blocked by a locked gate, so I moved on toward a dirt access road that led downhillfrom the reservoir. Suddenly, my dad appeared at the top of the road! I could hardly believe myeyes, and you can imagine how glad we were to see each other!

This misadventure of a little child can serve as a metaphor for life experiences that may affect usall. If we follow the wrong leader on a forbidden path, we will encounter trouble and danger andbecome “lost.” In the process we will cause ourselves and our loved ones much anxiety andanguish. And even those who tread the narrow path of righteousness will experience the “rollinghills” in my account – the ups and downs of life.

Who comes to our rescue? In my story, it was my father. At age three, I did not know about God,but now I believe that our Heavenly Father watched over me while I was lost and that He guidedmy father to my rescue. Moreover, I was unscathed by my trek through unknown hills. I had noscratches or bruises, no broken bones, no encounters with rattlesnakes, bulls or barbed wirefences, and I did not fall into the reservoir. Praise God for all His blessings!

Al Bacon

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Read Isaiah 42:14-21

“You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.” ~Isaiah 42:20 (NIV)

It is so easy to get caught up in living the minutiae of life. Jobs, family, friends, stressfulsituations, household chores, TV, movies, cellphones, computers, entertainment, etc…not tomention the huge myriad of things we feel we need to do during the holiday season. Theshopping, the concerts, the TV specials, the decorating, the cooking, the cleaning, etc…all toprepare for the perfect… what? Are our lives and Christmases all to be perfect? Is the perfectjob, the perfect IPHONE, the perfect Christmas tree, the perfect gift, or the perfectly decoratedchurch truly what is most important?

As we get older, our focus has become more and more about God and serving others. It hasbeen a slow process since we haven’t always seen or heard what God would like us to do, butwe have made some gains. Our faith journeys have led us to some wonderful discoveries. Ithas become clearer to us that these “idols” that are talked about in Isaiah 42 keep us from trulylistening to God. Our Lord is always speaking to us and trying to be in relationship with us. Infact it seems that now and throughout time God has had to shout sometimes to get us to payattention, “But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant.” (Isaiah 42:14) Are wetoo busy to pay attention? Are we too involved in our own lives to hear?

It is our hope that all our friends at Elkton UMC (and others around the world) will take time tosee the works of God and listen to the voice of God during the upcoming holiday season. Notthat the obligations of life are not important, but our hope is that you can find time to center onthe “reason for the season” – Jesus Christ. Don’t let the worries of trying to have the perfectChristmas experience bog you down and miss the joy of the coming of our Lord and Savior. Mayeveryone have a blessed and peaceful holiday season!

Thought for the Day:

What am I not paying attention to and what am I not listening to that God needs me to see andhear?

Prayer:

Gracious God and Savior, help me to listen and see. May you guide my life in a way that I serveyou and others, and spread love to all. This holiday season help me to recognize what is trulyimportant and not focus on false “idols”. I know I do not give thanks often enough, but thank youLord for everything you have given me. Amen.

Prayer Focus:

To reach out to those who have not seen or heard the good news of Jesus Christ.

Michael and Megan Petkewec

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for hehas looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations willcall me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Hismercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with hisarm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down thepowerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, andsent the rich empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”~Luke 1:46-55

After Mary got over the shock of being asked to bear the Savior of the world, she fully embracedthat call and rejoiced over it. The passage above is her song, what has come to be called "TheMagnificat." She spoke those beautiful words after seeing her cousin Elizabeth, who was alsopregnant. When they hugged each other, scripture says that the baby in Elizabeth's womb"leapt." So moved was she that all Mary could do was praise God!

I worry that sometimes we take Christmas for granted. We get so wrapped up in preparations –decorating, shopping, making lists and checking them twice, baking, cooking, and on and on –that we forget the reason for the celebration. Sure, we give God thanks for Jesus, but do westop and, as Mary did, magnify the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior?

On this night of all nights, our souls should be singing along with Mary. God has done anawesome thing in sending His only Son into the world for us, and for our salvation. He changedall of life for all of us. Because of Jesus, we have life – real, true, abundant, eternal life.Because of Jesus, we never have to be afraid again. Because of Jesus, we always have hope.Because of Jesus . . .

Today, as you go through the day, let your soul sing! Tonight, when you are in worship, openyour heart and pour forth your praise to God for His love which never lets you go! As you watchthe candlelight spread through the sanctuary, may your heart overflow with grateful thanksgivingfor God’s love that will not let us go, that sent us the very light of the world – Jesus!

Prayer:

O Lord our God, too often we take your love for granted. Like Mary, we have so many reasonsto sing your praises, but too often, we don’t. We get busy, we get distracted, we forget. On thismost holy of days O God, pour your Spirit upon us in such a way that our hearts will be filled withpraise and thanksgiving, and we will sing our own songs of joy to you. Thank you O Lord, foryour great gift of Jesus, the light of the world. It is in His precious name that we pray. Amen.

Rev. Karen Bunnell

Jesus Christ is Born!

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2: 8-20

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch overtheir flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of theLord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them,“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all thepeople. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is theMessiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped incloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to oneanother, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which theLord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying inthe manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning whathad been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at whatthe shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things andpondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praisingGod for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had beentold.