THE PASTOR’S PEN

Blessing

I believe that the Lord blesses us so we might be reassured of God’s never failing love for us and that we might in turn bless others that they too might know of God’s never ending love for them.  During Advent the baby Jesus, God’s own Son, quickly comes to mind.  Yet, we are to be also thinking about how Jesus will be coming again to gather all who belong to Him by faith to be in His full glory!  What Jesus finds us doing will be important; it is an indicator of our understanding of why He came the first time - to save us from our sins so that we might live with and for God, knowing His love, peace, joy, and power, which is the greatest blessing we can know and share with others.

I like how the passage in Deuteronomy 16:9-11 states this.

⁹ Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. ¹⁰ Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the LORD your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the LORD your God has given you. ¹¹ And rejoice before the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, the Levites in your towns, and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows living among you.

Labor for your living; celebrate to the Lord your blessings by giving to the Lord, and rejoice in the Lord’s house for everyone in the community to witness! 

We have been blessed and we have been called to bless others.  I am so excited about YPPC adopting Hursey Elementary School. I was amazed to learn of the 98% poverty rate.  An immediate need is 300 pairs of gloves (sizes children 6-12).  You can deposit your gloves in the box in fellowship hall between now and December 11^th.  Each child will know that the gloves were given in the love of Jesus.  You can call Rosemary at 899-218 if you have a question or if you would like to know more about the ministry at Hursey.

LEADERSHIP IN ACTION

·         Ministry Teams are busy planning next year’s ministry and the budgets they will require. 

·         Don’t miss a blessing- be sure to come out to the many activities going on that the church. The first activity is the parade at 10:00 we will all be outside the front of the church.

YPPC ANGEL TREE

Help Make a Child Happy:

How fortunate we are to be able to make a child happy on Christmas Morning! The Outreach Ministry Team invites you to participate in the Angel Tree Christmas project this year. The tree is located in Memorial Hall.  You are invited to select an Angel ornament from the tree, and return a wrapped gift(s) for the child listed on the back of the ornament with the angel ornament attached to your gift; this is the only way we can determine who is to receive your gift. You may select more than one angel if you desire. These gifts are to be returned to our church by December 18th.  This is a wonderful opportunity to help little ones have a happy Christmas, and it will make you feel good too.  Thank you for participating in this wonderful ministry.