By the time you receive this newsletter, you will have had nearly 7 days to process the terrible event at Sandy Hook Elementary School. You have probably wondered about the grieving families as you pondered their shock, terror, and overwhelming loss. Most of us undoubtedly asked the big “why” question, while a few of us have avoided that unanswerable dilemma altogether.
Even in the midst of this horror, there is Christmas. We are called to face God on His own terms. God will not come to us on Fox or CNN. God will not be revealed through political opinions and agendas. Finally, please know that God will not, and does not, orchestrate public or private tragedy to get our attention, though we seem to insinuate that in our Christian world. Here is the point: in every instance, God comes to His people with His agenda. God’s agenda is now and will always be….love.
As we prepare to light the 4th candle on our Advent wreath this Sunday, we must pay attention. Each year the 4th candle is always in recognition of the past, present, and future incarnation of God’s love for all of us. Love is the only clear and convincing force in our mixed up world. GOD IS LOVE.
“The fullness of God’s timing has come upon us,” as our scripture pronounces. Look for the power, mystery, and most of all, the love of God is. Like a mother enthralled by the arrival of her newborn, we seek to be amazed that God is truly WITH us, Emmanuel. We treasure this fact by the way we live and love…….or not.
An anonymous woman wrote:
“If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows and strands of twinkling lights, but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator.
If I work in a soup kitchen, carol in a nursing home, and collect clothes for the needy, but do not love the people around me,
I’m only a do-gooder and it profits me nothing. If I sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out
of the way, but is thankful they are there. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl strands will get lost, and golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.”
In Christ,
Allison Dr. Allison Thompson, Pastor [email protected]
Ple
as
an
t Retre
at U
nite
d M
eth
od
ist C
hu
rch
Sta
ff:
Dr. A
lliso
n T
hom
pso
n, P
asto
r
Otis
Na
ron
, Dire
cto
r of W
ors
hip
an
d M
usic
Min
istrie
s
Hilla
ry P
eete
, Dire
cto
r of C
hild
ren
’s a
nd
Yo
uth
Min
istrie
s
Ja
mi V
an
Worth
, Exe
cutiv
e A
ssis
tant
Jo
hn
nie
Russe
ll, Pia
nis
t
Ra
ni W
iley, N
urs
ery
Co
ord
inato
r
Cla
rk S
teed, C
usto
dia
n
Ch
urc
h O
ffice
Ph
on
e: 9
03
-592-7
183
Ple
asa
ntre
treat.o
rg
Offic
e H
ou
rs: M
on
-Th
ur 8
:30-4
:30
F
ri-8:3
0-1
2:0
0
Tra
ditio
na
l Wors
hip
9:0
0
Su
nd
ay S
ch
oo
l 10:0
0
Xp
erie
nce W
ors
hip
11:1
5
For p
asto
ral e
merg
encie
s, c
all 9
03-5
21-3
810.
December 19, 2012
Pleasan
t Retreat U
nited
Meth
od
ist Ch
urch
41
7 C
R 1
14
3
Tyler, TX 7
57
04
Retu
rn Service R
equ
ested
NO
N P
RO
FIT OR
G
U.S. P
OSTA
GE PA
ID
TYLER, TX
PER
MIT N
O. 6
49
Sermo
n Series: fo
r Decem
ber “Listen
” D
ecemb
er 23
Decem
ber 30
“Listen
for Lo
ve” “Cro
ssing O
ver” G
alatian
s 4:4
-5 M
atth
ew 2
:1-2
, 9-1
1 D
r. Alliso
n Th
om
pso
n
Mr. an
d M
rs. Ro
nald
Alle
n
10
66
4 Lake
Sho
re D
rive
Tyler, TX
75
70
7
Pleasant Retreat UMC Growing In Our Faith and Making Disciples for Christ
Youth
Do you need some emergency Christmas help? The youth will help you wrap your Christmas gifts next Sunday, December 23rd. It is $2 per gift if you bring your own boxes/wrapping paper and $3 per gift if you use wrapping paper provided by the church.
Drop off your gifts in the Family Life Center and pick them up before you leave. It’s so easy to get your last minute wrapping done and help the youth raise funds for camps.
If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Peete at [email protected] or 903-592-7183 ext. 108.
Sign up! Acolytes – if you are not currently an acolyte and would like to participate, please let Hillary know. We are making the schedule for January-June.
Big House camp – This is for youth 6-th-8th grade. The deadline is December 31! Our camp is June 13-16 in Dallas.
Confirmation Retreat – Any PRUMC youth who have not yet been confirmed are encouraged to attend camp at Lakeview February 1-3. A 6 week confirmation class will follow. Registration deadline is January 15.
Worship Five Words of Worship: Maranatha; Amen
This is our final look at what author Chuck Fromm calls; “The Five Words of Worship”.
"The rich meaning of the word Maranatha can be translated as both "Our Lord Has Come" and as “Our Lord, Come". It conveys and encompasses a sense of waiting, a sense of hope and of warning.” It expresses our ongoing experience of the expectation of the coming Savior and His coming kingdom. "All senses of Maranatha ... speak to both the incarnation of Christ and of His presence with His people through the Holy Spirit."
In Genesis 15:5-6, God says to Abraham, “Look towards the heavens and see if you can count the stars there. That’s how many descendants you're going to have. And Abraham believed the Lord”. The word “believe” here in the original Hebrew is “AMAN” from which we get the English word Amen which means “I believe that it will be so.” So when God told Abraham that his descendants would be like the stars of heaven, Abraham proclaimed, “Amen! I believe it will be so.” And it was fulfilled.
The word Amen can so easily slip into mere lip-service being reduced to a ritual closing of a prayer. "Amen” is so much more than the period at the end of a sentence. John reveals Jesus as the "Amen of heaven" (Rev. 3:14) and “Jesus reinterpreted Amen to mean Himself and His finished work." The next time we finish a prayer, let us remember it is a reflection that our belief is like that of Abrahams and may we too proclaim, “Amen! I believe it will be so”!
So far, the Mayan calendar has been wrong, so keep coming to church this year and the next and… [email protected]
Current and Continuing Prayer Concerns Doug and Oretha Green, Ryann Warner, George Lemmert Jr., Kathy Sheridan, Orvice Rozell, K.C. Smith, John Hall, Judy Naleid, Billie Sue Magouirk, Scott Bull, Janice Bristow, William Holt, Cloetis Vickery, Velma Cade, Ricky Holt, Nancy Senning, Thelma Jones, David Jones, JoAnn Potter, Melinda Tournage, Tricia Lynch, Bob Moore, Steve Suggs, Edith Fritzsche, Bhrianna Baxter
Sideline Saints Ardita Davis, Mary Serjak, Viola Errett, Lela Parker, Regie Thompson, Vivian Stripling, Dot Beaird, Flo Williams, Wilson and Catherine Nutt
Military Personnel SGT Xavier Land, Sgt. Ryan Van Arsdall, Spc Jake Ferrell, Spc Bryon Otts, Maj. Steve Sheridan, PFC Ryan Stidham, SSGT Joseph Wright
Mary Parker Mr. & Mrs. Harry
McKnight Neoma Wilkerson Class
Nell Wood Rex Ross Walker
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Wood
Janice Berger Whitney Saunders
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hamiter Steve Jenkins
Ruth Potters Lessie Purtle
Rachel Williams Dona Wilkerson Mr. & Mrs. Harry
Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Walter Morris
Fred Crone Mr. & Mrs. Norris Buie
Congratulations to Linda Carey on the birth of her new Granddaughter, Ella Kay Height. She was born Dec 17, at 3:28 pm. She weighed 7 lb. 10 oz. and is 20 1/2" long.
Congratulations to Callie Worthen who graduated from Texas Tech this past weekend with a Bachelor in Retail Management. She will begin grad school in January.
Our deepest Sympathies go to Jay Small on the loss of his brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!
As you reach up to God during Advent and As you reach up to God during Advent and As you reach up to God during Advent and Christmas, reach out to others by inviting Christmas, reach out to others by inviting Christmas, reach out to others by inviting
them to our upcoming events!them to our upcoming events!them to our upcoming events!
Sunday, December 23rdSunday, December 23rd
~Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music in both services along with ~Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music in both services along with our Chancel Choir and Xperience our Chancel Choir and Xperience
Worship team~Worship team~
Monday, December 24th Monday, December 24th ~Candle Lighting Christmas Eve Service~~Candle Lighting Christmas Eve Service~
Sanctuary at 5 pmSanctuary at 5 pm Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special musicCellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music
Children come dressed as characters in the Christmas Children come dressed as characters in the Christmas Story. Sermon: “I Wonder.” By Dr. Allison ThompsonStory. Sermon: “I Wonder.” By Dr. Allison Thompson
Office ScheduleOffice Schedule December 24thDecember 24th——Christmas Eve Service at 5pmChristmas Eve Service at 5pm
December 25thDecember 25th–– Christmas DayChristmas Day December 26thDecember 26th–– Office ClosedOffice Closed
December 30thDecember 30th ~5th Sunday Combined Worship~~5th Sunday Combined Worship~
9:00 a.m. Sunday School9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship10:00 a.m. Worship
11:15 a.m. Potluck Lunch11:15 a.m. Potluck Lunch
The Genesis Class will provide chicken. The Genesis Class will provide chicken. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Adam Hamilton’s -The Way ~New Year Sunday School Study~
Hamilton approaches the life, the teachings, and the miracles of Christ as he lived and ministered amongst us. Adult classes are encourage to begin this study on January 16th. Contact Dr. Allison Thompson for questions and to order your books.
Chancel Choir pictured above
Pictured to the left Scott, Lindsay, Sam, and Larkin
Brubaker Robbie Ott, and Jane Hills
At the 1st annual Baby’s First Christmas
Thank You! Chanel Choir Members and Volunteers!
May I take a moment of your time to say how thankful I am to have such dedicated choir members? Each and every member that participates and sings with the choir takes time from their busy life to serve the church while enjoying singing with others and praising God. I began singing with the “Cherub Choir” at age 9 and don’t know how to live without singing.
I also want to thank so many others that help behind the scenes running the computer slides, operating the sound board, narrating a story, not just on Sunday’s but especially for our Cantata’s.
Join me in taking time in the coming weeks to thank those who help our worship services with their volunteer time.
Wednesday night Activities—
will resume on January 9th
Children’s Thanks to Breann Willis and Rani Wiley for handling our children's Christmas carol outing this year. They took Reece Neely, Savannah Stroud, Serenity Ventress, Phenix Graham and Katherine Tate caroling to some of our home-bound church members. The members included: Regie Thompson, Ardita Davis, Doug and Oretha Green and Richard and Dot Beaird. We sang carols at each stop and exchanged lots of hugs, smiles and love. The children thoroughly enjoyed the activity, as did the adults. It was a great reminder that the Christmas season is about sharing the love of Jesus. Thanks to Clint Neely, Jeremy Stroud, Robert Reynolds and Steve Weaver for helping prepare the set-up for the children's Christmas program and to Clint Neely, Heath and Jessica Stidham and the Praise Band for helping dis-assemble the set immediately following the program . . . couldn't have done it without all of your help!! Nursery Help Needed! We are currently looking for 2 able-bodied volunteers (male or female) that love children and attend the 9 AM service to serve 1 hour a month in the nursery during the 11:15 service. You will be serving along with Rani Wiley, just pick your Sunday and we will accommodate you! You will be on the schedule for the 2013 year, once a month, from 11:15 - 12:15 . . . that's just 12 hours per year!! You will even receive a friendly reminder on the Saturday before your designated Sunday to serve. Contact Kim to volunteer 903-592-5904.
By the time you receive this newsletter, you will have had nearly 7 days to process the terrible event at Sandy Hook Elementary School. You have probably wondered about the grieving families as you pondered their shock, terror, and overwhelming loss. Most of us undoubtedly asked the big “why” question, while a few of us have avoided that unanswerable dilemma altogether.
Even in the midst of this horror, there is Christmas. We are called to face God on His own terms. God will not come to us on Fox or CNN. God will not be revealed through political opinions and agendas. Finally, please know that God will not, and does not, orchestrate public or private tragedy to get our attention, though we seem to insinuate that in our Christian world. Here is the point: in every instance, God comes to His people with His agenda. God’s agenda is now and will always be….love.
As we prepare to light the 4th candle on our Advent wreath this Sunday, we must pay attention. Each year the 4th candle is always in recognition of the past, present, and future incarnation of God’s love for all of us. Love is the only clear and convincing force in our mixed up world. GOD IS LOVE.
“The fullness of God’s timing has come upon us,” as our scripture pronounces. Look for the power, mystery, and most of all, the love of God is. Like a mother enthralled by the arrival of her newborn, we seek to be amazed that God is truly WITH us, Emmanuel. We treasure this fact by the way we live and love…….or not.
An anonymous woman wrote:
“If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows and strands of twinkling lights, but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator.
If I work in a soup kitchen, carol in a nursing home, and collect clothes for the needy, but do not love the people around me,
I’m only a do-gooder and it profits me nothing. If I sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out
of the way, but is thankful they are there. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl strands will get lost, and golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.”
In Christ,
Allison Dr. Allison Thompson, Pastor [email protected]
Ple
as
an
t Retre
at U
nite
d M
eth
od
ist C
hu
rch
Sta
ff:
Dr. A
lliso
n T
hom
pso
n, P
asto
r
Otis
Na
ron
, Dire
cto
r of W
ors
hip
an
d M
usic
Min
istrie
s
Hilla
ry P
eete
, Dire
cto
r of C
hild
ren
’s a
nd
Yo
uth
Min
istrie
s
Ja
mi V
an
Worth
, Exe
cutiv
e A
ssis
tant
Jo
hn
nie
Russe
ll, Pia
nis
t
Ra
ni W
iley, N
urs
ery
Co
ord
inato
r
Cla
rk S
teed, C
usto
dia
n
Ch
urc
h O
ffice
Ph
on
e: 9
03
-592-7
183
Ple
asa
ntre
treat.o
rg
Offic
e H
ou
rs: M
on
-Th
ur 8
:30-4
:30
F
ri-8:3
0-1
2:0
0
Tra
ditio
na
l Wors
hip
9:0
0
Su
nd
ay S
ch
oo
l 10:0
0
Xp
erie
nce W
ors
hip
11:1
5
For p
asto
ral e
merg
encie
s, c
all 9
03-5
21-3
810.
December 19, 2012
Pleasan
t Retreat U
nited
Meth
od
ist Ch
urch
41
7 C
R 1
14
3
Tyler, TX 7
57
04
Retu
rn Service R
equ
ested
NO
N P
RO
FIT OR
G
U.S. P
OSTA
GE PA
ID
TYLER, TX
PER
MIT N
O. 6
49
Sermo
n Series: fo
r Decem
ber “Listen
” D
ecemb
er 23
Decem
ber 30
“Listen
for Lo
ve” “Cro
ssing O
ver” G
alatian
s 4:4
-5 M
atth
ew 2
:1-2
, 9-1
1 D
r. Alliso
n Th
om
pso
n
Mr. &
Mrs. D
r. Du
ane
An
drew
s
11
01
Santa R
osa
Tyler, TX
75
70
1
Pleasant Retreat UMC Growing In Our Faith and Making Disciples for Christ
Youth
Do you need some emergency Christmas help? The youth will help you wrap your Christmas gifts next Sunday, December 23rd. It is $2 per gift if you bring your own boxes/wrapping paper and $3 per gift if you use wrapping paper provided by the church.
Drop off your gifts in the Family Life Center and pick them up before you leave. It’s so easy to get your last minute wrapping done and help the youth raise funds for camps.
If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Peete at [email protected] or 903-592-7183 ext. 108.
Sign up! Acolytes – if you are not currently an acolyte and would like to participate, please let Hillary know. We are making the schedule for January-June.
Big House camp – This is for youth 6-th-8th grade. The deadline is December 31! Our camp is June 13-16 in Dallas.
Confirmation Retreat – Any PRUMC youth who have not yet been confirmed are encouraged to attend camp at Lakeview February 1-3. A 6 week confirmation class will follow. Registration deadline is January 15.
Worship Five Words of Worship: Maranatha; Amen
This is our final look at what author Chuck Fromm calls; “The Five Words of Worship”.
"The rich meaning of the word Maranatha can be translated as both "Our Lord Has Come" and as “Our Lord, Come". It conveys and encompasses a sense of waiting, a sense of hope and of warning.” It expresses our ongoing experience of the expectation of the coming Savior and His coming kingdom. "All senses of Maranatha ... speak to both the incarnation of Christ and of His presence with His people through the Holy Spirit."
In Genesis 15:5-6, God says to Abraham, “Look towards the heavens and see if you can count the stars there. That’s how many descendants you're going to have. And Abraham believed the Lord”. The word “believe” here in the original Hebrew is “AMAN” from which we get the English word Amen which means “I believe that it will be so.” So when God told Abraham that his descendants would be like the stars of heaven, Abraham proclaimed, “Amen! I believe it will be so.” And it was fulfilled.
The word Amen can so easily slip into mere lip-service being reduced to a ritual closing of a prayer. "Amen” is so much more than the period at the end of a sentence. John reveals Jesus as the "Amen of heaven" (Rev. 3:14) and “Jesus reinterpreted Amen to mean Himself and His finished work." The next time we finish a prayer, let us remember it is a reflection that our belief is like that of Abrahams and may we too proclaim, “Amen! I believe it will be so”!
So far, the Mayan calendar has been wrong, so keep coming to church this year and the next and… [email protected]
Current and Continuing Prayer Concerns Doug and Oretha Green, Ryann Warner, George Lemmert Jr., Kathy Sheridan, Orvice Rozell, K.C. Smith, John Hall, Judy Naleid, Billie Sue Magouirk, Scott Bull, Janice Bristow, William Holt, Cloetis Vickery, Velma Cade, Ricky Holt, Nancy Senning, Thelma Jones, David Jones, JoAnn Potter, Melinda Tournage, Tricia Lynch, Bob Moore, Steve Suggs, Edith Fritzsche, Bhrianna Baxter
Sideline Saints Ardita Davis, Mary Serjak, Viola Errett, Lela Parker, Regie Thompson, Vivian Stripling, Dot Beaird, Flo Williams, Wilson and Catherine Nutt
Military Personnel SGT Xavier Land, Sgt. Ryan Van Arsdall, Spc Jake Ferrell, Spc Bryon Otts, Maj. Steve Sheridan, PFC Ryan Stidham, SSGT Joseph Wright
Mary Parker Mr. & Mrs. Harry
McKnight Neoma Wilkerson Class
Nell Wood Rex Ross Walker
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Wood
Janice Berger Whitney Saunders
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hamiter Steve Jenkins
Ruth Potters Lessie Purtle
Rachel Williams Dona Wilkerson Mr. & Mrs. Harry
Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Walter Morris
Fred Crone Mr. & Mrs. Norris Buie
Congratulations to Linda Carey on the birth of her new Granddaughter, Ella Kay Height. She was born Dec 17, at 3:28 pm. She weighed 7 lb. 10 oz. and is 20 1/2" long.
Congratulations to Callie Worthen who graduated from Texas Tech this past weekend with a Bachelor in Retail Management. She will begin grad school in January.
Our deepest Sympathies go to Jay Small on the loss of his brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!
As you reach up to God during Advent and As you reach up to God during Advent and As you reach up to God during Advent and Christmas, reach out to others by inviting Christmas, reach out to others by inviting Christmas, reach out to others by inviting
them to our upcoming events!them to our upcoming events!them to our upcoming events!
Sunday, December 23rdSunday, December 23rd
~Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music in both services along with ~Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music in both services along with our Chancel Choir and Xperience our Chancel Choir and Xperience
Worship team~Worship team~
Monday, December 24th Monday, December 24th ~Candle Lighting Christmas Eve Service~~Candle Lighting Christmas Eve Service~
Sanctuary at 5 pmSanctuary at 5 pm Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special musicCellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music
Children come dressed as characters in the Christmas Children come dressed as characters in the Christmas Story. Sermon: “I Wonder.” By Dr. Allison ThompsonStory. Sermon: “I Wonder.” By Dr. Allison Thompson
Office ScheduleOffice Schedule December 24thDecember 24th——Christmas Eve Service at 5pmChristmas Eve Service at 5pm
December 25thDecember 25th–– Christmas DayChristmas Day December 26thDecember 26th–– Office ClosedOffice Closed
December 30thDecember 30th ~5th Sunday Combined Worship~~5th Sunday Combined Worship~
9:00 a.m. Sunday School9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship10:00 a.m. Worship
11:15 a.m. Potluck Lunch11:15 a.m. Potluck Lunch
The Genesis Class will provide chicken. The Genesis Class will provide chicken. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Adam Hamilton’s -The Way ~New Year Sunday School Study~
Hamilton approaches the life, the teachings, and the miracles of Christ as he lived and ministered amongst us. Adult classes are encourage to begin this study on January 16th. Contact Dr. Allison Thompson for questions and to order your books.
Chancel Choir pictured above
Pictured to the left Scott, Lindsay, Sam, and Larkin
Brubaker Robbie Ott, and Jane Hills
At the 1st annual Baby’s First Christmas
Thank You! Chanel Choir Members and Volunteers!
May I take a moment of your time to say how thankful I am to have such dedicated choir members? Each and every member that participates and sings with the choir takes time from their busy life to serve the church while enjoying singing with others and praising God. I began singing with the “Cherub Choir” at age 9 and don’t know how to live without singing.
I also want to thank so many others that help behind the scenes running the computer slides, operating the sound board, narrating a story, not just on Sunday’s but especially for our Cantata’s.
Join me in taking time in the coming weeks to thank those who help our worship services with their volunteer time.
Wednesday night Activities—
will resume on January 9th
Children’s Thanks to Breann Willis and Rani Wiley for handling our children's Christmas carol outing this year. They took Reece Neely, Savannah Stroud, Serenity Ventress, Phenix Graham and Katherine Tate caroling to some of our home-bound church members. The members included: Regie Thompson, Ardita Davis, Doug and Oretha Green and Richard and Dot Beaird. We sang carols at each stop and exchanged lots of hugs, smiles and love. The children thoroughly enjoyed the activity, as did the adults. It was a great reminder that the Christmas season is about sharing the love of Jesus. Thanks to Clint Neely, Jeremy Stroud, Robert Reynolds and Steve Weaver for helping prepare the set-up for the children's Christmas program and to Clint Neely, Heath and Jessica Stidham and the Praise Band for helping dis-assemble the set immediately following the program . . . couldn't have done it without all of your help!! Nursery Help Needed! We are currently looking for 2 able-bodied volunteers (male or female) that love children and attend the 9 AM service to serve 1 hour a month in the nursery during the 11:15 service. You will be serving along with Rani Wiley, just pick your Sunday and we will accommodate you! You will be on the schedule for the 2013 year, once a month, from 11:15 - 12:15 . . . that's just 12 hours per year!! You will even receive a friendly reminder on the Saturday before your designated Sunday to serve. Contact Kim to volunteer 903-592-5904.
By the time you receive this newsletter, you will have had nearly 7 days to process the terrible event at Sandy Hook Elementary School. You have probably wondered about the grieving families as you pondered their shock, terror, and overwhelming loss. Most of us undoubtedly asked the big “why” question, while a few of us have avoided that unanswerable dilemma altogether.
Even in the midst of this horror, there is Christmas. We are called to face God on His own terms. God will not come to us on Fox or CNN. God will not be revealed through political opinions and agendas. Finally, please know that God will not, and does not, orchestrate public or private tragedy to get our attention, though we seem to insinuate that in our Christian world. Here is the point: in every instance, God comes to His people with His agenda. God’s agenda is now and will always be….love.
As we prepare to light the 4th candle on our Advent wreath this Sunday, we must pay attention. Each year the 4th candle is always in recognition of the past, present, and future incarnation of God’s love for all of us. Love is the only clear and convincing force in our mixed up world. GOD IS LOVE.
“The fullness of God’s timing has come upon us,” as our scripture pronounces. Look for the power, mystery, and most of all, the love of God is. Like a mother enthralled by the arrival of her newborn, we seek to be amazed that God is truly WITH us, Emmanuel. We treasure this fact by the way we live and love…….or not.
An anonymous woman wrote:
“If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows and strands of twinkling lights, but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator.
If I work in a soup kitchen, carol in a nursing home, and collect clothes for the needy, but do not love the people around me,
I’m only a do-gooder and it profits me nothing. If I sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out
of the way, but is thankful they are there. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl strands will get lost, and golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.”
In Christ,
Allison Dr. Allison Thompson, Pastor [email protected]
Ple
as
an
t Retre
at U
nite
d M
eth
od
ist C
hu
rch
Sta
ff:
Dr. A
lliso
n T
hom
pso
n, P
asto
r
Otis
Na
ron
, Dire
cto
r of W
ors
hip
an
d M
usic
Min
istrie
s
Hilla
ry P
eete
, Dire
cto
r of C
hild
ren
’s a
nd
Yo
uth
Min
istrie
s
Ja
mi V
an
Worth
, Exe
cutiv
e A
ssis
tant
Jo
hn
nie
Russe
ll, Pia
nis
t
Ra
ni W
iley, N
urs
ery
Co
ord
inato
r
Cla
rk S
teed, C
usto
dia
n
Ch
urc
h O
ffice
Ph
on
e: 9
03
-592-7
183
Ple
asa
ntre
treat.o
rg
Offic
e H
ou
rs: M
on
-Th
ur 8
:30-4
:30
F
ri-8:3
0-1
2:0
0
Tra
ditio
na
l Wors
hip
9:0
0
Su
nd
ay S
ch
oo
l 10:0
0
Xp
erie
nce W
ors
hip
11:1
5
For p
asto
ral e
merg
encie
s, c
all 9
03-5
21-3
810.
December 19, 2012
Pleasan
t Retreat U
nited
Meth
od
ist Ch
urch
41
7 C
R 1
14
3
Tyler, TX 7
57
04
Retu
rn Service R
equ
ested
NO
N P
RO
FIT OR
G
U.S. P
OSTA
GE PA
ID
TYLER, TX
PER
MIT N
O. 6
49
Sermo
n Series: fo
r Decem
ber “Listen
” D
ecemb
er 23
Decem
ber 30
“Listen
for Lo
ve” “Cro
ssing O
ver” G
alatian
s 4:4
-5 M
atth
ew 2
:1-2
, 9-1
1 D
r. Alliso
n Th
om
pso
n
Mr. &
Mrs. R
ud
y Ard
is
23
05
Dietz La
ne
Tyler, TX
75
70
1
Pleasant Retreat UMC Growing In Our Faith and Making Disciples for Christ
Youth
Do you need some emergency Christmas help? The youth will help you wrap your Christmas gifts next Sunday, December 23rd. It is $2 per gift if you bring your own boxes/wrapping paper and $3 per gift if you use wrapping paper provided by the church.
Drop off your gifts in the Family Life Center and pick them up before you leave. It’s so easy to get your last minute wrapping done and help the youth raise funds for camps.
If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Peete at [email protected] or 903-592-7183 ext. 108.
Sign up! Acolytes – if you are not currently an acolyte and would like to participate, please let Hillary know. We are making the schedule for January-June.
Big House camp – This is for youth 6-th-8th grade. The deadline is December 31! Our camp is June 13-16 in Dallas.
Confirmation Retreat – Any PRUMC youth who have not yet been confirmed are encouraged to attend camp at Lakeview February 1-3. A 6 week confirmation class will follow. Registration deadline is January 15.
Worship Five Words of Worship: Maranatha; Amen
This is our final look at what author Chuck Fromm calls; “The Five Words of Worship”.
"The rich meaning of the word Maranatha can be translated as both "Our Lord Has Come" and as “Our Lord, Come". It conveys and encompasses a sense of waiting, a sense of hope and of warning.” It expresses our ongoing experience of the expectation of the coming Savior and His coming kingdom. "All senses of Maranatha ... speak to both the incarnation of Christ and of His presence with His people through the Holy Spirit."
In Genesis 15:5-6, God says to Abraham, “Look towards the heavens and see if you can count the stars there. That’s how many descendants you're going to have. And Abraham believed the Lord”. The word “believe” here in the original Hebrew is “AMAN” from which we get the English word Amen which means “I believe that it will be so.” So when God told Abraham that his descendants would be like the stars of heaven, Abraham proclaimed, “Amen! I believe it will be so.” And it was fulfilled.
The word Amen can so easily slip into mere lip-service being reduced to a ritual closing of a prayer. "Amen” is so much more than the period at the end of a sentence. John reveals Jesus as the "Amen of heaven" (Rev. 3:14) and “Jesus reinterpreted Amen to mean Himself and His finished work." The next time we finish a prayer, let us remember it is a reflection that our belief is like that of Abrahams and may we too proclaim, “Amen! I believe it will be so”!
So far, the Mayan calendar has been wrong, so keep coming to church this year and the next and… [email protected]
Current and Continuing Prayer Concerns Doug and Oretha Green, Ryann Warner, George Lemmert Jr., Kathy Sheridan, Orvice Rozell, K.C. Smith, John Hall, Judy Naleid, Billie Sue Magouirk, Scott Bull, Janice Bristow, William Holt, Cloetis Vickery, Velma Cade, Ricky Holt, Nancy Senning, Thelma Jones, David Jones, JoAnn Potter, Melinda Tournage, Tricia Lynch, Bob Moore, Steve Suggs, Edith Fritzsche, Bhrianna Baxter
Sideline Saints Ardita Davis, Mary Serjak, Viola Errett, Lela Parker, Regie Thompson, Vivian Stripling, Dot Beaird, Flo Williams, Wilson and Catherine Nutt
Military Personnel SGT Xavier Land, Sgt. Ryan Van Arsdall, Spc Jake Ferrell, Spc Bryon Otts, Maj. Steve Sheridan, PFC Ryan Stidham, SSGT Joseph Wright
Mary Parker Mr. & Mrs. Harry
McKnight Neoma Wilkerson Class
Nell Wood Rex Ross Walker
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Wood
Janice Berger Whitney Saunders
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hamiter Steve Jenkins
Ruth Potters Lessie Purtle
Rachel Williams Dona Wilkerson Mr. & Mrs. Harry
Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Walter Morris
Fred Crone Mr. & Mrs. Norris Buie
Congratulations to Linda Carey on the birth of her new Granddaughter, Ella Kay Height. She was born Dec 17, at 3:28 pm. She weighed 7 lb. 10 oz. and is 20 1/2" long.
Congratulations to Callie Worthen who graduated from Texas Tech this past weekend with a Bachelor in Retail Management. She will begin grad school in January.
Our deepest Sympathies go to Jay Small on the loss of his brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!
As you reach up to God during Advent and As you reach up to God during Advent and As you reach up to God during Advent and Christmas, reach out to others by inviting Christmas, reach out to others by inviting Christmas, reach out to others by inviting
them to our upcoming events!them to our upcoming events!them to our upcoming events!
Sunday, December 23rdSunday, December 23rd
~Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music in both services along with ~Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music in both services along with our Chancel Choir and Xperience our Chancel Choir and Xperience
Worship team~Worship team~
Monday, December 24th Monday, December 24th ~Candle Lighting Christmas Eve Service~~Candle Lighting Christmas Eve Service~
Sanctuary at 5 pmSanctuary at 5 pm Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special musicCellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music
Children come dressed as characters in the Christmas Children come dressed as characters in the Christmas Story. Sermon: “I Wonder.” By Dr. Allison ThompsonStory. Sermon: “I Wonder.” By Dr. Allison Thompson
Office ScheduleOffice Schedule December 24thDecember 24th——Christmas Eve Service at 5pmChristmas Eve Service at 5pm
December 25thDecember 25th–– Christmas DayChristmas Day December 26thDecember 26th–– Office ClosedOffice Closed
December 30thDecember 30th ~5th Sunday Combined Worship~~5th Sunday Combined Worship~
9:00 a.m. Sunday School9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship10:00 a.m. Worship
11:15 a.m. Potluck Lunch11:15 a.m. Potluck Lunch
The Genesis Class will provide chicken. The Genesis Class will provide chicken. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Adam Hamilton’s -The Way ~New Year Sunday School Study~
Hamilton approaches the life, the teachings, and the miracles of Christ as he lived and ministered amongst us. Adult classes are encourage to begin this study on January 16th. Contact Dr. Allison Thompson for questions and to order your books.
Chancel Choir pictured above
Pictured to the left Scott, Lindsay, Sam, and Larkin
Brubaker Robbie Ott, and Jane Hills
At the 1st annual Baby’s First Christmas
Thank You! Chanel Choir Members and Volunteers!
May I take a moment of your time to say how thankful I am to have such dedicated choir members? Each and every member that participates and sings with the choir takes time from their busy life to serve the church while enjoying singing with others and praising God. I began singing with the “Cherub Choir” at age 9 and don’t know how to live without singing.
I also want to thank so many others that help behind the scenes running the computer slides, operating the sound board, narrating a story, not just on Sunday’s but especially for our Cantata’s.
Join me in taking time in the coming weeks to thank those who help our worship services with their volunteer time.
Wednesday night Activities—
will resume on January 9th
Children’s Thanks to Breann Willis and Rani Wiley for handling our children's Christmas carol outing this year. They took Reece Neely, Savannah Stroud, Serenity Ventress, Phenix Graham and Katherine Tate caroling to some of our home-bound church members. The members included: Regie Thompson, Ardita Davis, Doug and Oretha Green and Richard and Dot Beaird. We sang carols at each stop and exchanged lots of hugs, smiles and love. The children thoroughly enjoyed the activity, as did the adults. It was a great reminder that the Christmas season is about sharing the love of Jesus. Thanks to Clint Neely, Jeremy Stroud, Robert Reynolds and Steve Weaver for helping prepare the set-up for the children's Christmas program and to Clint Neely, Heath and Jessica Stidham and the Praise Band for helping dis-assemble the set immediately following the program . . . couldn't have done it without all of your help!! Nursery Help Needed! We are currently looking for 2 able-bodied volunteers (male or female) that love children and attend the 9 AM service to serve 1 hour a month in the nursery during the 11:15 service. You will be serving along with Rani Wiley, just pick your Sunday and we will accommodate you! You will be on the schedule for the 2013 year, once a month, from 11:15 - 12:15 . . . that's just 12 hours per year!! You will even receive a friendly reminder on the Saturday before your designated Sunday to serve. Contact Kim to volunteer 903-592-5904.
By the time you receive this newsletter, you will have had nearly 7 days to process the terrible event at Sandy Hook Elementary School. You have probably wondered about the grieving families as you pondered their shock, terror, and overwhelming loss. Most of us undoubtedly asked the big “why” question, while a few of us have avoided that unanswerable dilemma altogether.
Even in the midst of this horror, there is Christmas. We are called to face God on His own terms. God will not come to us on Fox or CNN. God will not be revealed through political opinions and agendas. Finally, please know that God will not, and does not, orchestrate public or private tragedy to get our attention, though we seem to insinuate that in our Christian world. Here is the point: in every instance, God comes to His people with His agenda. God’s agenda is now and will always be….love.
As we prepare to light the 4th candle on our Advent wreath this Sunday, we must pay attention. Each year the 4th candle is always in recognition of the past, present, and future incarnation of God’s love for all of us. Love is the only clear and convincing force in our mixed up world. GOD IS LOVE.
“The fullness of God’s timing has come upon us,” as our scripture pronounces. Look for the power, mystery, and most of all, the love of God is. Like a mother enthralled by the arrival of her newborn, we seek to be amazed that God is truly WITH us, Emmanuel. We treasure this fact by the way we live and love…….or not.
An anonymous woman wrote:
“If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows and strands of twinkling lights, but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator.
If I work in a soup kitchen, carol in a nursing home, and collect clothes for the needy, but do not love the people around me,
I’m only a do-gooder and it profits me nothing. If I sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out
of the way, but is thankful they are there. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl strands will get lost, and golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.”
In Christ,
Allison Dr. Allison Thompson, Pastor [email protected]
Ple
as
an
t Retre
at U
nite
d M
eth
od
ist C
hu
rch
Sta
ff:
Dr. A
lliso
n T
hom
pso
n, P
asto
r
Otis
Na
ron
, Dire
cto
r of W
ors
hip
an
d M
usic
Min
istrie
s
Hilla
ry P
eete
, Dire
cto
r of C
hild
ren
’s a
nd
Yo
uth
Min
istrie
s
Ja
mi V
an
Worth
, Exe
cutiv
e A
ssis
tant
Jo
hn
nie
Russe
ll, Pia
nis
t
Ra
ni W
iley, N
urs
ery
Co
ord
inato
r
Cla
rk S
teed, C
usto
dia
n
Ch
urc
h O
ffice
Ph
on
e: 9
03
-592-7
183
Ple
asa
ntre
treat.o
rg
Offic
e H
ou
rs: M
on
-Th
ur 8
:30-4
:30
F
ri-8:3
0-1
2:0
0
Tra
ditio
na
l Wors
hip
9:0
0
Su
nd
ay S
ch
oo
l 10:0
0
Xp
erie
nce W
ors
hip
11:1
5
For p
asto
ral e
merg
encie
s, c
all 9
03-5
21-3
810.
December 19, 2012
Pleasan
t Retreat U
nited
Meth
od
ist Ch
urch
41
7 C
R 1
14
3
Tyler, TX 7
57
04
Retu
rn Service R
equ
ested
NO
N P
RO
FIT OR
G
U.S. P
OSTA
GE PA
ID
TYLER, TX
PER
MIT N
O. 6
49
Sermo
n Series: fo
r Decem
ber “Listen
” D
ecemb
er 23
Decem
ber 30
“Listen
for Lo
ve” “Cro
ssing O
ver” G
alatian
s 4:4
-5 M
atth
ew 2
:1-2
, 9-1
1 D
r. Alliso
n Th
om
pso
n
Mr. D
ea
n A
rmstro
ng
31
4 O
livia Lane
An
na, T
X 7
54
09
Pleasant Retreat UMC Growing In Our Faith and Making Disciples for Christ
Youth
Do you need some emergency Christmas help? The youth will help you wrap your Christmas gifts next Sunday, December 23rd. It is $2 per gift if you bring your own boxes/wrapping paper and $3 per gift if you use wrapping paper provided by the church.
Drop off your gifts in the Family Life Center and pick them up before you leave. It’s so easy to get your last minute wrapping done and help the youth raise funds for camps.
If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Peete at [email protected] or 903-592-7183 ext. 108.
Sign up! Acolytes – if you are not currently an acolyte and would like to participate, please let Hillary know. We are making the schedule for January-June.
Big House camp – This is for youth 6-th-8th grade. The deadline is December 31! Our camp is June 13-16 in Dallas.
Confirmation Retreat – Any PRUMC youth who have not yet been confirmed are encouraged to attend camp at Lakeview February 1-3. A 6 week confirmation class will follow. Registration deadline is January 15.
Worship Five Words of Worship: Maranatha; Amen
This is our final look at what author Chuck Fromm calls; “The Five Words of Worship”.
"The rich meaning of the word Maranatha can be translated as both "Our Lord Has Come" and as “Our Lord, Come". It conveys and encompasses a sense of waiting, a sense of hope and of warning.” It expresses our ongoing experience of the expectation of the coming Savior and His coming kingdom. "All senses of Maranatha ... speak to both the incarnation of Christ and of His presence with His people through the Holy Spirit."
In Genesis 15:5-6, God says to Abraham, “Look towards the heavens and see if you can count the stars there. That’s how many descendants you're going to have. And Abraham believed the Lord”. The word “believe” here in the original Hebrew is “AMAN” from which we get the English word Amen which means “I believe that it will be so.” So when God told Abraham that his descendants would be like the stars of heaven, Abraham proclaimed, “Amen! I believe it will be so.” And it was fulfilled.
The word Amen can so easily slip into mere lip-service being reduced to a ritual closing of a prayer. "Amen” is so much more than the period at the end of a sentence. John reveals Jesus as the "Amen of heaven" (Rev. 3:14) and “Jesus reinterpreted Amen to mean Himself and His finished work." The next time we finish a prayer, let us remember it is a reflection that our belief is like that of Abrahams and may we too proclaim, “Amen! I believe it will be so”!
So far, the Mayan calendar has been wrong, so keep coming to church this year and the next and… [email protected]
Current and Continuing Prayer Concerns Doug and Oretha Green, Ryann Warner, George Lemmert Jr., Kathy Sheridan, Orvice Rozell, K.C. Smith, John Hall, Judy Naleid, Billie Sue Magouirk, Scott Bull, Janice Bristow, William Holt, Cloetis Vickery, Velma Cade, Ricky Holt, Nancy Senning, Thelma Jones, David Jones, JoAnn Potter, Melinda Tournage, Tricia Lynch, Bob Moore, Steve Suggs, Edith Fritzsche, Bhrianna Baxter
Sideline Saints Ardita Davis, Mary Serjak, Viola Errett, Lela Parker, Regie Thompson, Vivian Stripling, Dot Beaird, Flo Williams, Wilson and Catherine Nutt
Military Personnel SGT Xavier Land, Sgt. Ryan Van Arsdall, Spc Jake Ferrell, Spc Bryon Otts, Maj. Steve Sheridan, PFC Ryan Stidham, SSGT Joseph Wright
Mary Parker Mr. & Mrs. Harry
McKnight Neoma Wilkerson Class
Nell Wood Rex Ross Walker
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Wood
Janice Berger Whitney Saunders
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hamiter Steve Jenkins
Ruth Potters Lessie Purtle
Rachel Williams Dona Wilkerson Mr. & Mrs. Harry
Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Walter Morris
Fred Crone Mr. & Mrs. Norris Buie
Congratulations to Linda Carey on the birth of her new Granddaughter, Ella Kay Height. She was born Dec 17, at 3:28 pm. She weighed 7 lb. 10 oz. and is 20 1/2" long.
Congratulations to Callie Worthen who graduated from Texas Tech this past weekend with a Bachelor in Retail Management. She will begin grad school in January.
Our deepest Sympathies go to Jay Small on the loss of his brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!
As you reach up to God during Advent and As you reach up to God during Advent and As you reach up to God during Advent and Christmas, reach out to others by inviting Christmas, reach out to others by inviting Christmas, reach out to others by inviting
them to our upcoming events!them to our upcoming events!them to our upcoming events!
Sunday, December 23rdSunday, December 23rd
~Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music in both services along with ~Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music in both services along with our Chancel Choir and Xperience our Chancel Choir and Xperience
Worship team~Worship team~
Monday, December 24th Monday, December 24th ~Candle Lighting Christmas Eve Service~~Candle Lighting Christmas Eve Service~
Sanctuary at 5 pmSanctuary at 5 pm Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special musicCellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music
Children come dressed as characters in the Christmas Children come dressed as characters in the Christmas Story. Sermon: “I Wonder.” By Dr. Allison ThompsonStory. Sermon: “I Wonder.” By Dr. Allison Thompson
Office ScheduleOffice Schedule December 24thDecember 24th——Christmas Eve Service at 5pmChristmas Eve Service at 5pm
December 25thDecember 25th–– Christmas DayChristmas Day December 26thDecember 26th–– Office ClosedOffice Closed
December 30thDecember 30th ~5th Sunday Combined Worship~~5th Sunday Combined Worship~
9:00 a.m. Sunday School9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship10:00 a.m. Worship
11:15 a.m. Potluck Lunch11:15 a.m. Potluck Lunch
The Genesis Class will provide chicken. The Genesis Class will provide chicken. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Adam Hamilton’s -The Way ~New Year Sunday School Study~
Hamilton approaches the life, the teachings, and the miracles of Christ as he lived and ministered amongst us. Adult classes are encourage to begin this study on January 16th. Contact Dr. Allison Thompson for questions and to order your books.
Chancel Choir pictured above
Pictured to the left Scott, Lindsay, Sam, and Larkin
Brubaker Robbie Ott, and Jane Hills
At the 1st annual Baby’s First Christmas
Thank You! Chanel Choir Members and Volunteers!
May I take a moment of your time to say how thankful I am to have such dedicated choir members? Each and every member that participates and sings with the choir takes time from their busy life to serve the church while enjoying singing with others and praising God. I began singing with the “Cherub Choir” at age 9 and don’t know how to live without singing.
I also want to thank so many others that help behind the scenes running the computer slides, operating the sound board, narrating a story, not just on Sunday’s but especially for our Cantata’s.
Join me in taking time in the coming weeks to thank those who help our worship services with their volunteer time.
Wednesday night Activities—
will resume on January 9th
Children’s Thanks to Breann Willis and Rani Wiley for handling our children's Christmas carol outing this year. They took Reece Neely, Savannah Stroud, Serenity Ventress, Phenix Graham and Katherine Tate caroling to some of our home-bound church members. The members included: Regie Thompson, Ardita Davis, Doug and Oretha Green and Richard and Dot Beaird. We sang carols at each stop and exchanged lots of hugs, smiles and love. The children thoroughly enjoyed the activity, as did the adults. It was a great reminder that the Christmas season is about sharing the love of Jesus. Thanks to Clint Neely, Jeremy Stroud, Robert Reynolds and Steve Weaver for helping prepare the set-up for the children's Christmas program and to Clint Neely, Heath and Jessica Stidham and the Praise Band for helping dis-assemble the set immediately following the program . . . couldn't have done it without all of your help!! Nursery Help Needed! We are currently looking for 2 able-bodied volunteers (male or female) that love children and attend the 9 AM service to serve 1 hour a month in the nursery during the 11:15 service. You will be serving along with Rani Wiley, just pick your Sunday and we will accommodate you! You will be on the schedule for the 2013 year, once a month, from 11:15 - 12:15 . . . that's just 12 hours per year!! You will even receive a friendly reminder on the Saturday before your designated Sunday to serve. Contact Kim to volunteer 903-592-5904.
By the time you receive this newsletter, you will have had nearly 7 days to process the terrible event at Sandy Hook Elementary School. You have probably wondered about the grieving families as you pondered their shock, terror, and overwhelming loss. Most of us undoubtedly asked the big “why” question, while a few of us have avoided that unanswerable dilemma altogether.
Even in the midst of this horror, there is Christmas. We are called to face God on His own terms. God will not come to us on Fox or CNN. God will not be revealed through political opinions and agendas. Finally, please know that God will not, and does not, orchestrate public or private tragedy to get our attention, though we seem to insinuate that in our Christian world. Here is the point: in every instance, God comes to His people with His agenda. God’s agenda is now and will always be….love.
As we prepare to light the 4th candle on our Advent wreath this Sunday, we must pay attention. Each year the 4th candle is always in recognition of the past, present, and future incarnation of God’s love for all of us. Love is the only clear and convincing force in our mixed up world. GOD IS LOVE.
“The fullness of God’s timing has come upon us,” as our scripture pronounces. Look for the power, mystery, and most of all, the love of God is. Like a mother enthralled by the arrival of her newborn, we seek to be amazed that God is truly WITH us, Emmanuel. We treasure this fact by the way we live and love…….or not.
An anonymous woman wrote:
“If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows and strands of twinkling lights, but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator.
If I work in a soup kitchen, carol in a nursing home, and collect clothes for the needy, but do not love the people around me,
I’m only a do-gooder and it profits me nothing. If I sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out
of the way, but is thankful they are there. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl strands will get lost, and golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.”
In Christ,
Allison Dr. Allison Thompson, Pastor [email protected]
Ple
as
an
t Retre
at U
nite
d M
eth
od
ist C
hu
rch
Sta
ff:
Dr. A
lliso
n T
hom
pso
n, P
asto
r
Otis
Na
ron
, Dire
cto
r of W
ors
hip
an
d M
usic
Min
istrie
s
Hilla
ry P
eete
, Dire
cto
r of C
hild
ren
’s a
nd
Yo
uth
Min
istrie
s
Ja
mi V
an
Worth
, Exe
cutiv
e A
ssis
tant
Jo
hn
nie
Russe
ll, Pia
nis
t
Ra
ni W
iley, N
urs
ery
Co
ord
inato
r
Cla
rk S
teed, C
usto
dia
n
Ch
urc
h O
ffice
Ph
on
e: 9
03
-592-7
183
Ple
asa
ntre
treat.o
rg
Offic
e H
ou
rs: M
on
-Th
ur 8
:30-4
:30
F
ri-8:3
0-1
2:0
0
Tra
ditio
na
l Wors
hip
9:0
0
Su
nd
ay S
ch
oo
l 10:0
0
Xp
erie
nce W
ors
hip
11:1
5
For p
asto
ral e
merg
encie
s, c
all 9
03-5
21-3
810.
December 19, 2012
Pleasan
t Retreat U
nited
Meth
od
ist Ch
urch
41
7 C
R 1
14
3
Tyler, TX 7
57
04
Retu
rn Service R
equ
ested
NO
N P
RO
FIT OR
G
U.S. P
OSTA
GE PA
ID
TYLER, TX
PER
MIT N
O. 6
49
Sermo
n Series: fo
r Decem
ber “Listen
” D
ecemb
er 23
Decem
ber 30
“Listen
for Lo
ve” “Cro
ssing O
ver” G
alatian
s 4:4
-5 M
atth
ew 2
:1-2
, 9-1
1 D
r. Alliso
n Th
om
pso
n
Mr. &
Mrs. R
ob
ert A
rmstro
ng
16
14
9 H
wy 6
4w
Tyler, TX
75
70
4
Pleasant Retreat UMC Growing In Our Faith and Making Disciples for Christ
Youth
Do you need some emergency Christmas help? The youth will help you wrap your Christmas gifts next Sunday, December 23rd. It is $2 per gift if you bring your own boxes/wrapping paper and $3 per gift if you use wrapping paper provided by the church.
Drop off your gifts in the Family Life Center and pick them up before you leave. It’s so easy to get your last minute wrapping done and help the youth raise funds for camps.
If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Peete at [email protected] or 903-592-7183 ext. 108.
Sign up! Acolytes – if you are not currently an acolyte and would like to participate, please let Hillary know. We are making the schedule for January-June.
Big House camp – This is for youth 6-th-8th grade. The deadline is December 31! Our camp is June 13-16 in Dallas.
Confirmation Retreat – Any PRUMC youth who have not yet been confirmed are encouraged to attend camp at Lakeview February 1-3. A 6 week confirmation class will follow. Registration deadline is January 15.
Worship Five Words of Worship: Maranatha; Amen
This is our final look at what author Chuck Fromm calls; “The Five Words of Worship”.
"The rich meaning of the word Maranatha can be translated as both "Our Lord Has Come" and as “Our Lord, Come". It conveys and encompasses a sense of waiting, a sense of hope and of warning.” It expresses our ongoing experience of the expectation of the coming Savior and His coming kingdom. "All senses of Maranatha ... speak to both the incarnation of Christ and of His presence with His people through the Holy Spirit."
In Genesis 15:5-6, God says to Abraham, “Look towards the heavens and see if you can count the stars there. That’s how many descendants you're going to have. And Abraham believed the Lord”. The word “believe” here in the original Hebrew is “AMAN” from which we get the English word Amen which means “I believe that it will be so.” So when God told Abraham that his descendants would be like the stars of heaven, Abraham proclaimed, “Amen! I believe it will be so.” And it was fulfilled.
The word Amen can so easily slip into mere lip-service being reduced to a ritual closing of a prayer. "Amen” is so much more than the period at the end of a sentence. John reveals Jesus as the "Amen of heaven" (Rev. 3:14) and “Jesus reinterpreted Amen to mean Himself and His finished work." The next time we finish a prayer, let us remember it is a reflection that our belief is like that of Abrahams and may we too proclaim, “Amen! I believe it will be so”!
So far, the Mayan calendar has been wrong, so keep coming to church this year and the next and… [email protected]
Current and Continuing Prayer Concerns Doug and Oretha Green, Ryann Warner, George Lemmert Jr., Kathy Sheridan, Orvice Rozell, K.C. Smith, John Hall, Judy Naleid, Billie Sue Magouirk, Scott Bull, Janice Bristow, William Holt, Cloetis Vickery, Velma Cade, Ricky Holt, Nancy Senning, Thelma Jones, David Jones, JoAnn Potter, Melinda Tournage, Tricia Lynch, Bob Moore, Steve Suggs, Edith Fritzsche, Bhrianna Baxter
Sideline Saints Ardita Davis, Mary Serjak, Viola Errett, Lela Parker, Regie Thompson, Vivian Stripling, Dot Beaird, Flo Williams, Wilson and Catherine Nutt
Military Personnel SGT Xavier Land, Sgt. Ryan Van Arsdall, Spc Jake Ferrell, Spc Bryon Otts, Maj. Steve Sheridan, PFC Ryan Stidham, SSGT Joseph Wright
Mary Parker Mr. & Mrs. Harry
McKnight Neoma Wilkerson Class
Nell Wood Rex Ross Walker
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Wood
Janice Berger Whitney Saunders
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hamiter Steve Jenkins
Ruth Potters Lessie Purtle
Rachel Williams Dona Wilkerson Mr. & Mrs. Harry
Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Walter Morris
Fred Crone Mr. & Mrs. Norris Buie
Congratulations to Linda Carey on the birth of her new Granddaughter, Ella Kay Height. She was born Dec 17, at 3:28 pm. She weighed 7 lb. 10 oz. and is 20 1/2" long.
Congratulations to Callie Worthen who graduated from Texas Tech this past weekend with a Bachelor in Retail Management. She will begin grad school in January.
Our deepest Sympathies go to Jay Small on the loss of his brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!
As you reach up to God during Advent and As you reach up to God during Advent and As you reach up to God during Advent and Christmas, reach out to others by inviting Christmas, reach out to others by inviting Christmas, reach out to others by inviting
them to our upcoming events!them to our upcoming events!them to our upcoming events!
Sunday, December 23rdSunday, December 23rd
~Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music in both services along with ~Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music in both services along with our Chancel Choir and Xperience our Chancel Choir and Xperience
Worship team~Worship team~
Monday, December 24th Monday, December 24th ~Candle Lighting Christmas Eve Service~~Candle Lighting Christmas Eve Service~
Sanctuary at 5 pmSanctuary at 5 pm Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special musicCellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music
Children come dressed as characters in the Christmas Children come dressed as characters in the Christmas Story. Sermon: “I Wonder.” By Dr. Allison ThompsonStory. Sermon: “I Wonder.” By Dr. Allison Thompson
Office ScheduleOffice Schedule December 24thDecember 24th——Christmas Eve Service at 5pmChristmas Eve Service at 5pm
December 25thDecember 25th–– Christmas DayChristmas Day December 26thDecember 26th–– Office ClosedOffice Closed
December 30thDecember 30th ~5th Sunday Combined Worship~~5th Sunday Combined Worship~
9:00 a.m. Sunday School9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship10:00 a.m. Worship
11:15 a.m. Potluck Lunch11:15 a.m. Potluck Lunch
The Genesis Class will provide chicken. The Genesis Class will provide chicken. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Adam Hamilton’s -The Way ~New Year Sunday School Study~
Hamilton approaches the life, the teachings, and the miracles of Christ as he lived and ministered amongst us. Adult classes are encourage to begin this study on January 16th. Contact Dr. Allison Thompson for questions and to order your books.
Chancel Choir pictured above
Pictured to the left Scott, Lindsay, Sam, and Larkin
Brubaker Robbie Ott, and Jane Hills
At the 1st annual Baby’s First Christmas
Thank You! Chanel Choir Members and Volunteers!
May I take a moment of your time to say how thankful I am to have such dedicated choir members? Each and every member that participates and sings with the choir takes time from their busy life to serve the church while enjoying singing with others and praising God. I began singing with the “Cherub Choir” at age 9 and don’t know how to live without singing.
I also want to thank so many others that help behind the scenes running the computer slides, operating the sound board, narrating a story, not just on Sunday’s but especially for our Cantata’s.
Join me in taking time in the coming weeks to thank those who help our worship services with their volunteer time.
Wednesday night Activities—
will resume on January 9th
Children’s Thanks to Breann Willis and Rani Wiley for handling our children's Christmas carol outing this year. They took Reece Neely, Savannah Stroud, Serenity Ventress, Phenix Graham and Katherine Tate caroling to some of our home-bound church members. The members included: Regie Thompson, Ardita Davis, Doug and Oretha Green and Richard and Dot Beaird. We sang carols at each stop and exchanged lots of hugs, smiles and love. The children thoroughly enjoyed the activity, as did the adults. It was a great reminder that the Christmas season is about sharing the love of Jesus. Thanks to Clint Neely, Jeremy Stroud, Robert Reynolds and Steve Weaver for helping prepare the set-up for the children's Christmas program and to Clint Neely, Heath and Jessica Stidham and the Praise Band for helping dis-assemble the set immediately following the program . . . couldn't have done it without all of your help!! Nursery Help Needed! We are currently looking for 2 able-bodied volunteers (male or female) that love children and attend the 9 AM service to serve 1 hour a month in the nursery during the 11:15 service. You will be serving along with Rani Wiley, just pick your Sunday and we will accommodate you! You will be on the schedule for the 2013 year, once a month, from 11:15 - 12:15 . . . that's just 12 hours per year!! You will even receive a friendly reminder on the Saturday before your designated Sunday to serve. Contact Kim to volunteer 903-592-5904.
By the time you receive this newsletter, you will have had nearly 7 days to process the terrible event at Sandy Hook Elementary School. You have probably wondered about the grieving families as you pondered their shock, terror, and overwhelming loss. Most of us undoubtedly asked the big “why” question, while a few of us have avoided that unanswerable dilemma altogether.
Even in the midst of this horror, there is Christmas. We are called to face God on His own terms. God will not come to us on Fox or CNN. God will not be revealed through political opinions and agendas. Finally, please know that God will not, and does not, orchestrate public or private tragedy to get our attention, though we seem to insinuate that in our Christian world. Here is the point: in every instance, God comes to His people with His agenda. God’s agenda is now and will always be….love.
As we prepare to light the 4th candle on our Advent wreath this Sunday, we must pay attention. Each year the 4th candle is always in recognition of the past, present, and future incarnation of God’s love for all of us. Love is the only clear and convincing force in our mixed up world. GOD IS LOVE.
“The fullness of God’s timing has come upon us,” as our scripture pronounces. Look for the power, mystery, and most of all, the love of God is. Like a mother enthralled by the arrival of her newborn, we seek to be amazed that God is truly WITH us, Emmanuel. We treasure this fact by the way we live and love…….or not.
An anonymous woman wrote:
“If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows and strands of twinkling lights, but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator.
If I work in a soup kitchen, carol in a nursing home, and collect clothes for the needy, but do not love the people around me,
I’m only a do-gooder and it profits me nothing. If I sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out
of the way, but is thankful they are there. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl strands will get lost, and golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.”
In Christ,
Allison Dr. Allison Thompson, Pastor [email protected]
Ple
as
an
t Retre
at U
nite
d M
eth
od
ist C
hu
rch
Sta
ff:
Dr. A
lliso
n T
hom
pso
n, P
asto
r
Otis
Na
ron
, Dire
cto
r of W
ors
hip
an
d M
usic
Min
istrie
s
Hilla
ry P
eete
, Dire
cto
r of C
hild
ren
’s a
nd
Yo
uth
Min
istrie
s
Ja
mi V
an
Worth
, Exe
cutiv
e A
ssis
tant
Jo
hn
nie
Russe
ll, Pia
nis
t
Ra
ni W
iley, N
urs
ery
Co
ord
inato
r
Cla
rk S
teed, C
usto
dia
n
Ch
urc
h O
ffice
Ph
on
e: 9
03
-592-7
183
Ple
asa
ntre
treat.o
rg
Offic
e H
ou
rs: M
on
-Th
ur 8
:30-4
:30
F
ri-8:3
0-1
2:0
0
Tra
ditio
na
l Wors
hip
9:0
0
Su
nd
ay S
ch
oo
l 10:0
0
Xp
erie
nce W
ors
hip
11:1
5
For p
asto
ral e
merg
encie
s, c
all 9
03-5
21-3
810.
December 19, 2012
Pleasan
t Retreat U
nited
Meth
od
ist Ch
urch
41
7 C
R 1
14
3
Tyler, TX 7
57
04
Retu
rn Service R
equ
ested
NO
N P
RO
FIT OR
G
U.S. P
OSTA
GE PA
ID
TYLER, TX
PER
MIT N
O. 6
49
Sermo
n Series: fo
r Decem
ber “Listen
” D
ecemb
er 23
Decem
ber 30
“Listen
for Lo
ve” “Cro
ssing O
ver” G
alatian
s 4:4
-5 M
atth
ew 2
:1-2
, 9-1
1 D
r. Alliso
n Th
om
pso
n
Mr. &
Mrs. Llo
yd A
ulie
17
45
6 O
ld R
iver R
oad
Flint, TX
75
76
2
Pleasant Retreat UMC Growing In Our Faith and Making Disciples for Christ
Youth
Do you need some emergency Christmas help? The youth will help you wrap your Christmas gifts next Sunday, December 23rd. It is $2 per gift if you bring your own boxes/wrapping paper and $3 per gift if you use wrapping paper provided by the church.
Drop off your gifts in the Family Life Center and pick them up before you leave. It’s so easy to get your last minute wrapping done and help the youth raise funds for camps.
If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Peete at [email protected] or 903-592-7183 ext. 108.
Sign up! Acolytes – if you are not currently an acolyte and would like to participate, please let Hillary know. We are making the schedule for January-June.
Big House camp – This is for youth 6-th-8th grade. The deadline is December 31! Our camp is June 13-16 in Dallas.
Confirmation Retreat – Any PRUMC youth who have not yet been confirmed are encouraged to attend camp at Lakeview February 1-3. A 6 week confirmation class will follow. Registration deadline is January 15.
Worship Five Words of Worship: Maranatha; Amen
This is our final look at what author Chuck Fromm calls; “The Five Words of Worship”.
"The rich meaning of the word Maranatha can be translated as both "Our Lord Has Come" and as “Our Lord, Come". It conveys and encompasses a sense of waiting, a sense of hope and of warning.” It expresses our ongoing experience of the expectation of the coming Savior and His coming kingdom. "All senses of Maranatha ... speak to both the incarnation of Christ and of His presence with His people through the Holy Spirit."
In Genesis 15:5-6, God says to Abraham, “Look towards the heavens and see if you can count the stars there. That’s how many descendants you're going to have. And Abraham believed the Lord”. The word “believe” here in the original Hebrew is “AMAN” from which we get the English word Amen which means “I believe that it will be so.” So when God told Abraham that his descendants would be like the stars of heaven, Abraham proclaimed, “Amen! I believe it will be so.” And it was fulfilled.
The word Amen can so easily slip into mere lip-service being reduced to a ritual closing of a prayer. "Amen” is so much more than the period at the end of a sentence. John reveals Jesus as the "Amen of heaven" (Rev. 3:14) and “Jesus reinterpreted Amen to mean Himself and His finished work." The next time we finish a prayer, let us remember it is a reflection that our belief is like that of Abrahams and may we too proclaim, “Amen! I believe it will be so”!
So far, the Mayan calendar has been wrong, so keep coming to church this year and the next and… [email protected]
Current and Continuing Prayer Concerns Doug and Oretha Green, Ryann Warner, George Lemmert Jr., Kathy Sheridan, Orvice Rozell, K.C. Smith, John Hall, Judy Naleid, Billie Sue Magouirk, Scott Bull, Janice Bristow, William Holt, Cloetis Vickery, Velma Cade, Ricky Holt, Nancy Senning, Thelma Jones, David Jones, JoAnn Potter, Melinda Tournage, Tricia Lynch, Bob Moore, Steve Suggs, Edith Fritzsche, Bhrianna Baxter
Sideline Saints Ardita Davis, Mary Serjak, Viola Errett, Lela Parker, Regie Thompson, Vivian Stripling, Dot Beaird, Flo Williams, Wilson and Catherine Nutt
Military Personnel SGT Xavier Land, Sgt. Ryan Van Arsdall, Spc Jake Ferrell, Spc Bryon Otts, Maj. Steve Sheridan, PFC Ryan Stidham, SSGT Joseph Wright
Mary Parker Mr. & Mrs. Harry
McKnight Neoma Wilkerson Class
Nell Wood Rex Ross Walker
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Wood
Janice Berger Whitney Saunders
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hamiter Steve Jenkins
Ruth Potters Lessie Purtle
Rachel Williams Dona Wilkerson Mr. & Mrs. Harry
Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Walter Morris
Fred Crone Mr. & Mrs. Norris Buie
Congratulations to Linda Carey on the birth of her new Granddaughter, Ella Kay Height. She was born Dec 17, at 3:28 pm. She weighed 7 lb. 10 oz. and is 20 1/2" long.
Congratulations to Callie Worthen who graduated from Texas Tech this past weekend with a Bachelor in Retail Management. She will begin grad school in January.
Our deepest Sympathies go to Jay Small on the loss of his brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Reaching Up! Reaching Out! Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!Christmas at Pleasant Retreat!
As you reach up to God during Advent and As you reach up to God during Advent and As you reach up to God during Advent and Christmas, reach out to others by inviting Christmas, reach out to others by inviting Christmas, reach out to others by inviting
them to our upcoming events!them to our upcoming events!them to our upcoming events!
Sunday, December 23rdSunday, December 23rd
~Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music in both services along with ~Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music in both services along with our Chancel Choir and Xperience our Chancel Choir and Xperience
Worship team~Worship team~
Monday, December 24th Monday, December 24th ~Candle Lighting Christmas Eve Service~~Candle Lighting Christmas Eve Service~
Sanctuary at 5 pmSanctuary at 5 pm Cellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special musicCellist, Elizabeth Clark, will provide special music
Children come dressed as characters in the Christmas Children come dressed as characters in the Christmas Story. Sermon: “I Wonder.” By Dr. Allison ThompsonStory. Sermon: “I Wonder.” By Dr. Allison Thompson
Office ScheduleOffice Schedule December 24thDecember 24th——Christmas Eve Service at 5pmChristmas Eve Service at 5pm
December 25thDecember 25th–– Christmas DayChristmas Day December 26thDecember 26th–– Office ClosedOffice Closed
December 30thDecember 30th ~5th Sunday Combined Worship~~5th Sunday Combined Worship~
9:00 a.m. Sunday School9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship10:00 a.m. Worship
11:15 a.m. Potluck Lunch11:15 a.m. Potluck Lunch
The Genesis Class will provide chicken. The Genesis Class will provide chicken. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Adam Hamilton’s -The Way ~New Year Sunday School Study~
Hamilton approaches the life, the teachings, and the miracles of Christ as he lived and ministered amongst us. Adult classes are encourage to begin this study on January 16th. Contact Dr. Allison Thompson for questions and to order your books.
Chancel Choir pictured above
Pictured to the left Scott, Lindsay, Sam, and Larkin
Brubaker Robbie Ott, and Jane Hills
At the 1st annual Baby’s First Christmas
Thank You! Chanel Choir Members and Volunteers!
May I take a moment of your time to say how thankful I am to have such dedicated choir members? Each and every member that participates and sings with the choir takes time from their busy life to serve the church while enjoying singing with others and praising God. I began singing with the “Cherub Choir” at age 9 and don’t know how to live without singing.
I also want to thank so many others that help behind the scenes running the computer slides, operating the sound board, narrating a story, not just on Sunday’s but especially for our Cantata’s.
Join me in taking time in the coming weeks to thank those who help our worship services with their volunteer time.
Wednesday night Activities—
will resume on January 9th
Children’s Thanks to Breann Willis and Rani Wiley for handling our children's Christmas carol outing this year. They took Reece Neely, Savannah Stroud, Serenity Ventress, Phenix Graham and Katherine Tate caroling to some of our home-bound church members. The members included: Regie Thompson, Ardita Davis, Doug and Oretha Green and Richard and Dot Beaird. We sang carols at each stop and exchanged lots of hugs, smiles and love. The children thoroughly enjoyed the activity, as did the adults. It was a great reminder that the Christmas season is about sharing the love of Jesus. Thanks to Clint Neely, Jeremy Stroud, Robert Reynolds and Steve Weaver for helping prepare the set-up for the children's Christmas program and to Clint Neely, Heath and Jessica Stidham and the Praise Band for helping dis-assemble the set immediately following the program . . . couldn't have done it without all of your help!! Nursery Help Needed! We are currently looking for 2 able-bodied volunteers (male or female) that love children and attend the 9 AM service to serve 1 hour a month in the nursery during the 11:15 service. You will be serving along with Rani Wiley, just pick your Sunday and we will accommodate you! You will be on the schedule for the 2013 year, once a month, from 11:15 - 12:15 . . . that's just 12 hours per year!! You will even receive a friendly reminder on the Saturday before your designated Sunday to serve. Contact Kim to volunteer 903-592-5904.
By the time you receive this newsletter, you will have had nearly 7 days to process the terrible event at Sandy Hook Elementary School. You have probably wondered about the grieving families as you pondered their shock, terror, and overwhelming loss. Most of us undoubtedly asked the big “why” question, while a few of us have avoided that unanswerable dilemma altogether.
Even in the midst of this horror, there is Christmas. We are called to face God on His own terms. God will not come to us on Fox or CNN. God will not be revealed through political opinions and agendas. Finally, please know that God will not, and does not, orchestrate public or private tragedy to get our attention, though we seem to insinuate that in our Christian world. Here is the point: in every instance, God comes to His people with His agenda. God’s agenda is now and will always be….love.
As we prepare to light the 4th candle on our Advent wreath this Sunday, we must pay attention. Each year the 4th candle is always in recognition of the past, present, and future incarnation of God’s love for all of us. Love is the only clear and convincing force in our mixed up world. GOD IS LOVE.
“The fullness of God’s timing has come upon us,” as our scripture pronounces. Look for the power, mystery, and most of all, the love of God is. Like a mother enthralled by the arrival of her newborn, we seek to be amazed that God is truly WITH us, Emmanuel. We treasure this fact by the way we live and love…….or not.
An anonymous woman wrote:
“If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows and strands of twinkling lights, but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator.
If I work in a soup kitchen, carol in a nursing home, and collect clothes for the needy, but do not love the people around me,
I’m only a do-gooder and it profits me nothing. If I sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point. Love is kind, tho
Top Related