O Author of Love,
We see glimpses, from time to time, of Your reign in our midst. These are often moments when we are overwhelmed by the beauty and power of self sacrificing service to others. Forgive us, O God, when we see Jesus only as the one who calmed the wind and the waves and forget that he also girded himself with a towel, got down on his knees, and washed the feet of his disciples. We can’t stop the storms, but we can serve others in Jesus name. During this season of Advent may we see You at work, may we see a glimpse of Your reign, as we reach out to those in need. We pray this in the name of the one born in a manger, Jesus the Christ. AMEN.
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The Board enjoyed a nice Christmas dinner yesterday evening. A little church business was also transacted. Jim Cox was approved to serve the remainder of Phil Adams term as Elder. The proposed budget for 2011 was approved. These two items will be voted on by the congregation at a congregational meeting during our Sunday services of worship on December 19th. Carolyn McLemore was also approved as the Adult Bell Choir Director.
Remember, this Sunday the choir will present their Christmas cantata during the 10:15 a.m. service. We will also dedicate Henry William Stuever, newborn son of Jason and Jill Stuever. It will be a great day. Rev. Gary Mitchell will also be here to bring brief greetings from the Regional Church.
Yesterday Carolyn and I left Enid at 8:30 a.m. to drive to the Sammons Cancer Center at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas. I underwent some tests required prior to beginning the trial of this new drug for prostate cancer. Frankly, we had a good time. The tests went well. We left Baylor at 5:30 p.m., fought the Dallas traffic, stopped at an Olive Garden for supper and got home a little after midnight. It was a 607 mile roundtrip. While it was a long day, we much prefer sleeping in our own bed. I do have more tests to take. If they are scheduled early in the day, we will obviously spend the night. Likely I will go back next week or the following week for the remainder of the scans. After that it will be a once a month trip. I appreciate your prayers and continued words of concern. It is nice to finally be doing something.
Grace and peace,
John McLemore
Advent Devotion for Today. Please read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:
Is there a time for everything under heaven? What about homework and Facebook? Is there time to clean house, time to play with your kid. Time to do the dishes. Time to sleep in. Time to be selfish, time to be selfless.
Many times I think of Pete Seeger adding these verses to music which was made famous by the Byrds and recall the message of peace found in the song (you can find it on YouTube). That is what Christmas should be about, laying down our selfish desires and making peace with our neighbors. Forget about fighting the lines shopping and embrace the peace offered by our Creator and our Savior.
Remember the hope of holding a newborn baby, the joy of little hands, soft skin, new life, the promise of the future? These are the blessings of the Christ child. The promise of tomorrow, a future with God, a peace sustained through the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus.
Distractions abound this time of year, but let us remember that God sent a peacemaker into the world. There is time for everything, to shop, to drop, to pray, to play. Make time for the Christ child, remember the baby, remember the man, remember our Lord.
Prayer: Lord over all things, you who know us so deeply calm our quickened hearts. Slow us down, help us to reflect on the things around us, the season, the ringing of bells, the joy in the air, and the anticipation that comes with the Christ child being brought afresh to our minds. Bless us with patience and understanding. Guide us to newer understandings of what it means to be your people. Help us to make the best of the time we have. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
John Wheeler
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