A WORD FROM THE PASTOR: WAITING
Denine Jackson set up camp outside the Best Buy store in West Lafayette, Indiana, on Wednesday, November 23, at 11:00 a.m. That Wednesday—the day before Thanksgiving—was her son’s birthday, but she couldn’t celebrate it with him because she had a larger purpose: staking out a spot in line so she could be first to cash in on Best Buy’s Black Friday deals when the store opened on Friday at 12:01 a.m. She had her eye on two televisions, a Blu-Ray player, and a laptop computer. Sure, Denine was staring down the barrel of 37 long hours in the cold—and missing the Thanksgiving holiday altogether—but she was focused on her goal. According to a local TV station, Denine said, “I’m going to save well over $1,000…It’s worth it.” “Without a doubt, I’m planning on sleeping in this chair,” said Jackson with a laugh. “I’m going to take my medicine and go to sleep right here in this chair.”
You may applaud Denine Jackson for her endurance, or you might jeer her for her perceived insanity. But she shows us that we are willing to spend precious minutes and hours—even days—of our lives waiting for things we think are “worth it.”
We wait in line to visit Santa Claus. We wait for contractors to come and finish the job. We wait for a birthday or Christmas to roll around. We can hardly wait for the kids to start school, and then to graduate school. Then we can hardly wait for them to come home for a visit.
But what are really waiting for? What are we trading the minutes of our lives for? The common denominator—the fuel of our waiting—is hope. We bide our time and delay gratification in the hope that what is coming will be “worth it.”
The Bible tells us about a devout and righteous man named Simeon who was patiently waiting for the consolation of Israel. We don’t know how long he had been waiting, but we know that the Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Lord’s Messiah. And true to God’s promise, Simeon went to the temple courts where he met Mary and Joseph as they were presenting the newborn Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem. With tears in eyes and fulfillment in his heart, Simeon took Jesus into his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations.” (Luke 2:29-31 NIV)
We may spend time waiting for many things—small investments for small payoffs, like saving money on Blu-Ray players. But I am convinced that on a profound, spiritual level we all crave God’s salvation to be revealed finally: for God to wipe away all our tears and to bring us into his perfect kingdom. Indeed, the whole creation is waiting for God to act! (Romans 8:19, 23) We may be counting down the days for Christmas, but more importantly, like Simeon, we must be counting down the days for “the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13 NIV)
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20b NIV)
Pastor Ray
SESSION
The Session will have its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m. In January, the Session will meet on January 23rd, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
The High School Youth Fellowship will meet on the following Wednesdays during December and January: 12/7, 1/4, and 1/18, from 7:30-8:30p.m. The Middle School Youth Fellowship will meet on the following Wednesdays during December and January: 12/14, 1/11, and 1/25, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. Invite a friend! Please note: there will be NO YOUTH GROUP ON DECEMBER 21ST & DECEMBER 28TH.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
The Presbyterian Women will have their monthly meeting on Wednesday, December 7th at 6:30p.m. There will be a short business meeting followed by Bible Study ~ Lesson 3 of our study. The leader will be Sandra Metz. The ladies will also be working on their annual cookie exchange!
In January, the Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. There will be a potluck supper, short business meeting and we will go over Lesson 4 of our Bible Study. The leader for the evening will be Judy Lindberg.
Sewing Souls will meet on January 18th, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. and the hostess will be Judy Lindberg. Bring your projects!
SUPPORT OUR SOLDIER!
Please pray for David Buller, our soldier who is serving in Afghanistan. If you would like to contact him or send him gifts (please refer to the soldiers’ wish list in the Fellowship Hall), his address is:
SPC Buller David
181 Eng Det FFTM
Camp Deh Dadi II
APO AE 09368
COAT CLOSET AND FOOD PANTRY
The Coat Closet and Food Pantry need your help! You may bring your donations to the church office during regular office hours. The Coat Closet will take not only winter coats for all ages (especially kids), but snow pants and snow boots, hats, gloves, and mittens as well. The Food Pantry is in need of such things as canned fruit, canned meat (tuna, chicken, etc.), soups, pasta, Hamburger Helper, and macaroni & cheese. Also, if you would like to donate diapers, all sizes, it would be appreciated! Thanks for your help!
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
“Keep the Faith”, will be in concert on Sunday, December 4th, at 2:00 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Refreshments will be served after the concert and a free-will offering will be taken to support the Wayne Ministerial Assn. Emergency Fund. Come enjoy some holiday music!
RING-AROUND-WAYNE
The Annual Handbell Choir Concert will be Tuesday, December 12th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Wayne Armory. Come and enjoy some unique Christmas Music!
ADVENT WORSHIP
Come focus your hearts to the coming of the Savior this Advent Season during Sunday Morning Worship. Sunday, December 18th, the Christmas Band will be playing and the Kids will have their annual Christmas Program during worship. The kids will be practicing for the program during church school on Sunday, December 4th and Sunday, December 11th.
CHRISTMAS CAROLING
Please join us in spreading some Christmas cheer! On Wednesday, December 21, meet at The Oaks at 5:15 p.m. We’ll meet back at the church building by 6:30p.m. for a soup potluck.
CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES
Celebrate the birth of our newborn King! Christmas Eve services will be held on Saturday, December 24th, at 5:30p.m. There will be a Sunday morning worship service on Sunday, December 25th, at 10:00 a.m. There will be no church school or confirmation classes that morning.
LOOKING FOR A GOOD RECIPE FOR COMPANY THIS CHRISTMAS?
This recipe was requested recently from several people. Thanks Marilyn Yates!!
- 4 cups of shredded red cabbage (or a 16 oz package of shredded cabbage aka coleslaw mix)
- 2 cups of (loosely packed) of any (one) of the following: fresh arugula, watercress, fresh spinach – this is what i used –
- 1 medium Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apple, cored and sliced into thin strips or coursely shopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 2 tablespoons thinley sliced green onion
- 1/4 cup sunflower kernels or 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Vinaigrette:
Mix in a jar:1/3 cup vegatable oil
- 3 T cider or white wine vinegar
- 3 T orange juice
- 1 T honey
- 1 & 1/2 t Dijon mustard
- 1/4 salt
- dash of ground cinnamon or nutmeg
Pour over cabbage mixture & refrigerate up to 24 hours.
ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS GIVING
There are many ways to give to those in need this holiday season—and to avoid the overload of “stuff” on Christmas. Here are some Web sites that will inspire you to give gifts that will make a real difference in people’s lives.
CROSSPOINT BOARD OPPORTUNITY
Serve the students at Wayne State College! One of our two Presbyterian members on the CrossPoint Campus Ministry board is retiring at the end of 2011. If you are interested in serving on the board, please visit with Pastor Ray.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
There will be a guest speaker on Sunday, January 1st, 2012 during Worship. Please note that there will be no church school or confirmation classes that morning. Our regular church schedule will resume on Sunday, January 8th. Happy New Year!
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR THE CHURCH OFFICE
Pastor Ray will be taking some family time during the week of December 25-January 1st, as well as the church secretary. The church office will be open on December 26th -28th, but will be closed the rest of the week. If you need anything, please feel free to leave a message on the church’s voicemail, or contact one of the church’s elders. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012.
SEASON OF LIGHTS
The “Season of Lights” show will be playing at the Wayne State College Planetarium each Sunday afternoon in December from 3:30-4:45p.m. A suggested donation of $3 per person would be appreciated. For more information, go to: www.wsc.edu/planetarium Come and experience the “Season of Lights”!
First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 