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A new year usually causes us to reflect on the past twelve months and look ahead to the coming year. That often leads to making some resolutions to improve one or more areas of our lives. That's not a bad thing to do, but most of those resolutions tend to focus on ourselves: how we can look better, feel better, experience more happiness, success, love, etc. What if we approached things with a different focus? This Sunday, December 30th, we'll begin a new sermon series we're calling "Selfless". What are the things that God wants us to become? If we put energy toward the things that He desires in us, we will find that everything else will fall into place. Remember that Jesus said: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, I hope you'll be able to join us as we seek after Kingdom values in 2019!
 When I was nine years old, I took tennis lessons and ended up winning the little tournament at the Mercerwood Shore Club my family belonged to. Here I am with my trophy. Having conquered tennis playing, I retired from competitive play. Have you ever wondered why the game of tennis calls a score of zero as "love"? Though one theory claims the term is a corruption of the French l'oeuf (“the egg”) to describe the shape of the number zero, the Oxford English Dictionary suggests that love really does mean “love.” The only thing keeping a scoreless player on the court is the love of the game. (Obviously, that didn't apply to me). This Sunday, December 23rd, we'll be talking about the fourth theme of Advent: LOVE. It was God's LOVE that lead to the Incarnation: Jesus giving up his status as God and emptying himself to the point of becoming a human and then suffering and dying in our place so that we could have a restored relationship with Him. That certainly is far from a zero! I hope to see you on Sunday. Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship On the evening of Monday, December 24th, we will hold our Christmas Eve service featuring the story of Jesus' coming to the earth as told through scripture and carols. It will also include our traditional candle lighting ceremony as we remember that the Light of the World arrived to a dark world and has filled us with His light to share with others. I hope you'll be able to join us for this special celebration of the reason for the season.
At the Christmas Eve service we will have a collection box for our Crisis Fund. We are entering a difficult season of the year in which many people find themselves in need. Our Crisis Fund exists in order to share God's love with those in our congregation and community in practical ways. Consider making a special end-of-the-year gift. I'm confident that our Worship Celebration this Sunday will be much more joyful than this classic photo. This Sunday, December 16th, we'll be continuing with our Advent series as we focus on JOY. It's an appropriate Sunday to feature our children and others who will be sharing their musical and other gifts during the service. I'll also be sharing some thoughts on JOY and the Angel's promise of "good news that will bring great JOY to all of the people". We will also celebrate the artistic and crafting skills of members of our congregation as the Fellowship Hall is transformed into a gallery. I hope you'll join us for this JOYful celebration. Spreading the Christmas Spirit in Twisp
 When I was a little kid, I loved stickers. My Uncle owned "Palmberg Auto Supply" in Aurora, NE, and he gave me a box of stickers - mostly advertising NAPA and various car parts and products. I enjoyed adding to my box of stickers and one that I remember fondly was this iconic image of the era. The "V for Victory" sign was re-branded during the Vietnam War by protesters who sought the end to conflict. This hand gesture became known as the peace sign (although, if you go onto social media you'll notice countless Japanese girls making this gesture and I don't think it has anything to do with peace - it's just what you do in a photo). Peace is something that everyone wants to experience and so it's a wonderful message when the angel declares "Peace on Earth" and the prophet Isaiah tells us that the Messiah Jesus is "the Prince of Peace". But what does that mean? This Sunday, December 9th, we'll be looking at the theme of PEACE as it is found in the Christmas story and how it can be experienced in our lives all year round. I hope you'll be able to join us. Christmas Caroling Tonight! Tonight, Thursday, December 6th, we'll be caroling through Twisp as a part of the "Mistletoe Madness" shopping night. We'll meet at the end of Glover Street near the big tree at 5:30 pm and then work our way down the street singing as we stop in at the different businesses. Plan on joining us for this festive way to spread the true meaning of Christmas through song! Community Prayer Gathering - Friday, 12/7This Friday evening, December 7th, there will be a community prayer gathering at the Community Center in Twisp focused on drug use in our valley. Everyone is encouraged to join together in prayer beginning at 6:00 pm as we pray for those caught up in this destructive behavior and seek God's guidance and power to bring the hope of experiencing freedom from its grip. Bringing Our Gifts to the KingThe Worship Service on Sunday, December 16th will be extra special because it will feature everyone's gifts!
Although we will be highlighting our children in the program, we're hoping for this to be a multi-generational celebration. We invite anyone to share their gift as a part of our worship service. We'll also be turning the Fellowship Hall into a gallery for people to display their art, photography, needle work, wood working, etc. Everything we've learned to do is a gift from God and can be used to give Him praise! Sign up in the Fellowship Hall by this Sunday, December 9th, to make sure you're included. Contact Mandy Schmekel for more information (509-341-4257) |
Pastor JeffThoughts about living as a Jesus follower and life at Community Covenant Church Archives
December 2020
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