A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2010
THIS IS WEEK THREE
By Pastor Richard Todd
for the week of 12/12/10
December 12th marks the beginning of the THIRD WEEK of Advent and the theme Christians around the world will focus on is PREPARING. The beauty of observing the days before Christmas is the opportunity it gives to reflect on all the many spiritual joys of the season. This is a special time of unity, celebration, and worship that focuses on the coming of Christ and the joy He brings into our lives. We will also be taking a few moments in our worship service today to look ahead to the celebration of the birth of Christ by lighting a pink candle as a symbol of joy.
I want to share a special message with you in worship today that some followers of Christ have made available to the churches of America. If you are not able to view it in church then watch it in the coming days at: www.forgottenchristmas.org
Don’t miss our annual Christmas banquet Sunday, December 12th. There is room for you so come. Bring a dessert to share. And I have heard that again this year there will be VALUABLE GIFTS awarded (including special Dodger items). See ad on other page.
We are in the midst of a special seasonal series on some of the people in the Christmas narrative. I tackled Joseph on December 5 in a first person account. AndDecember 12th we consider the insights on his wife, Mary. The speaker? Well! And December 19th is our special Sunday before Christmas where we enjoy a little more Christmas music and specialness of the season (specialness is my word).
Someone is coming to town besides you know who. Yes, our very own missionary partner, PATTY MORRIS, is coming to town on Christmas vacation to be with family. She is spending time with family so we will only get to see her a little slice of time.
Put Ed & Joyce Faranda’s Christmas yard light display (Gena also contributed) on your LET’S GO SEE SOME CHRISTMAS LIGHTS list. The lights are co-ordinated with the music that you hear on your FM car radio. They live at 5203 Ashworth Street in Lakewood. If you can’t drive to see the dancing lights, then go to www.dancingwithlights.com and get a glimpse of what they are doing. The music includes songs that you will never hear at Starbucks because they proclaim the Savior’s birth plus a reading of the Luke 2 account and also a lighting of the Advent candles.
All of you are invited to come to DESSERT AND DANCING WITH LIGHTS at the Faranda house this coming Saturday evening from 6 to 9pm. Bring a plate of goodies to share and bundle up. Oh, there will be a jolly guy (but not that jolly old guy) handing out candy canes that night. RSVP if you can at 562 920 3108 or ed.faranda@gmail.com or just come.
I was over at our new campus on Friday checking things out and working there was Larry Olguin, Max & Sharon Henry, and Lynn Sapp (his wife, Ann, sent homemade cookies for extra energy for the workers but somehow I snagged one). Ray Bozigian is there most days. They are doing a lot of the work that will jump start the construction workers once they commence their operations.
Let me know if you have decorated your house and I can tell the church family about it.
Merry Christmas, it’s still worth saying
Pastor Richard
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I’M THANKFUL … FOR EVERYDAY
words spoken by Snoopy in a holiday card I just received. And the words are worth repeating.
My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family. You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.
RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com
FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.
