THE VIEW FROM THE TREETOP – From one year to the next

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

The last week of the year is always a natural time of reflection for me.  The “mad dash” of everything leading up through Advent to our two Christmas Eve services is quickly followed by a week of much-needed rest and time of renewal with the family.  Lorie and the boys and I enjoyed our “East Tour,” visiting both sets of grandparents in Raleigh and Cary – a hodge-podge of multiple Christmases, random football games on TV, and some good eating courtesy of both our mothers.

I think back on 2011 and, honestly, it’s amazing what all happened in twelve short months.  But isn’t that the way it always is?  In the church we said goodbye to two long-time staff members in Sandy and Etta, and greeted two new ones in Elaine and Ellen.  In my family, our boys continue to grow and amaze my wife in so many ways.  It’s really hard to believe that Connor is participating in spelling bees and Hunter is dressing up in a tie and vest to be “principal for the day.”  Wasn’t it just yesterday that we were celebrating their first Christmases?

Think back on your 2011.  What are some of the joys you experienced this year?  What are some things in this year that you’ll remember with a more somber heart?

Life is constantly in flux, everything changing from one minute to the next.  And there is so much in our lives that we cannot control.  Which is why, in this last week of the year, in this rare time of reflection and rest, I’m giving thanks to the God who does not change.  Isn’t that a comfort – knowing that in the midst of our ever-changing lives, in a world which we have such little control over, God is – as the prayer I begin most of my sermons with – our Rock and our Redeemer.  The One who saves is the one who gives us stability, redemption and hope.

My prayer for you as we head into this new year is that you’ll be aware of the God who is beside you, behind you, above you, and in front of you – journeying with you through the good and the bad, from one year to the next.  That’s surely something worth our reflection.

Happy New Year!

Your pastor and friend,

Weekly Grapevine – January 1, 2012

Happy New Year from the staff of First Presbyterian Church!

 

TODAY

Head Usher: Mike Beal          Side Usher: Mike Gatchel

Nursery: TBA

Spark Teachers: No Spark today

WEEK AT A GLANCE

 

Sunday, January 1            

9:45 am – Sunday School

10:00 am – The Gathering

11:00 am – Worship

Monday, January 2           

Church Office Closed

Wednesday, January 4                

5:30 pm – Confirmation Mentor Meeting

6:30 pm – Confirmation Kick-Off

7:30 pm – Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, January 5                  

5:30 pm – Friends Feeding Friends

FINANCIAL

 

December 25, 2011 Contributions:       

Pledged:           $  17,150.00

Non-Pledged: $        445.00

Weekly Total: $  17,595.00

 

Total monthly receipts:  $31,961.04          

Monthly budget need:  $24,000.00

Annual Budgeted Pledge Receipts: $239,313.00

Year to Date Actual Pledge Receipts: $221,647.74

Amount we exceeded for the month of December:      $7,961.04

CHURCH MINISTRIES

Beacons: Will not meet this evening.

Church Office Closed: The church office will be closed on Monday, January 2^nd, to observe the New Year’s holiday.

Confirmation Mentor Meeting: Will be held on Wednesday, January 4^th, at 5:30 p.m.

Confirmation Kick-Off: Wednesday, January 4^th, at 6:30 p.m.  This is for the confirmands, their families and mentors.  Please let Shasta know how many will attend by Monday, January 2^nd.

New Adult Bible Study during the Gathering – Beginning Sunday, January 8th Adults and Beacons are invited to join Eric Leathers in the Fellowship Hall for a discussion of the Gospel of Mark. It is going to be great! The children who attend the Gathering will meet with Shasta during the same time for an exciting time. What a great way to start the New Year!

Inclement Weather Policy: It is our intention that all church activities take place as scheduled.  However, at times, that is not possible.  If activities are postponed or cancelled, they will be listed on WXII Channel 12 – or via the Online Grapevine, Facebook and/or the church website.

WITNESS

 

Serving God in the New Year: We will begin assisting with Friends Feeding Friends at First Baptist Church on the 1^st AND 2^nd Thursdays of each month.  Sign-up sheets are on the board in the upstairs foyer.  It’s an incredible feeling of outreach to serve such a wonderful ministry!  The following people are signed up to serve on Thursday, January 5^th: Steven & Emily Lowe, Linda Hodges, Felton Godwin, Cathy Harrison, Mae Daniels, Mike Gatchel, Amy Sparks and Cristi Arington.  Meet at First Baptist Church at 5:15 p.m.

CELEBRATIONS

 

Birthdays: 1/4: Andrew Gitt; 1/6: Will Rhoden; 1/7: Nancy Dixon, Colin Phillips

Anniversaries: 1/3: Russ and Teresa Bouma, Andrew & Laurie Stroupe

 

Fourth Friday in Advent Devotional

For 46 Christmas A Charlie Brown Christmas has been a part of the American Christmas. Take a moment from all the hustle and bustle of today to remember….

Charlie Brown: I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn’t have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don’t know what Christmas is all about.
[shouting in desperation]
Charlie Brown: Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?
Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
[moves toward the center of the stage]
Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.
[a spotlight shines on Linus]
Linus Van Pelt: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”
[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]
Linus Van Pelt: That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Prayer: Dear God, whether we are Linus, full of faith and hope; or Charlie Brown, full of worry and doubt help us to KNOW, on this glorious night and every night that you ARE Emmanuel, God with us! Amen.

Merry Christmas !

Fourth Thursday in Advent Devotional

Scripture: Luke 2:19

My favorite Christmas tradition is setting up the Santas. This collection is very special to my family because they have been gifts through the years. Each year my family recalls what they were from or who they were from. Each year my family and I like to put up the Santas and we have a little table that we set them up on. You would think we would put them up and then take them down at the end of the season like the rest of the decorations. Every year my sister would put out all of the Santas, but every year I would come after she had gone out to do anything a teenager would do and I would make them the way I liked it instead.

Prayer: Thank you lord for all the great memories that my family has gathered through the years. We will enjoy them forever on. Amen

Laurel Petri, age 9

Fourth Wednesday in Advent Devotional

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

While living in Charlotte, we always made plans to attend the outdoor production of the “Real Christmas Story”. There was a huge cast, beautiful set and costumes, talented singers, live animals, and a real baby in an open theatre under the stars. It was so special that we looked forward to going each year. Some years the weather was clear and cold, while others snowy or rainy. No matter what, it was our official family kickoff to the Christmas season and something to anticipate.
We started going when the girls were very young. One year when they were around 7 and 9, we went to buy some hot chocolate during intermission. When we approached the end of the line, the man directly in front of us looked to have leprosy. His face was full of lesions, as were his hands. I am sure his appearance made more than one person pause or stare.
We stood in line next to him and his friend. The man had some homemade deer jerky in a plastic sandwich bag and right away offered it to the girls while explaining he made it himself. Our daughters without hesitation accepted his offer, shared his deer jerky and were talking with him and his friend like they were neighbors. I think the man enjoyed the conversation as much as we did as he was smiling ear to ear. I remember as I stood there being so proud of my daughters since they saw the heart of this man, and not just his outside. His kindness showed when he offered the girls something he prized and while they may have been afraid, they never showed it.

It was a moment I treasure.
Prayer: Dear God,
Thank you for the many wonderful people you put in our lives at times of your choosing. We ask that you help us not to judge others, but see them as you do. We ask that you give us the heart and the eyes of a child as we deal with others.

Steven, Annette, Kayla and Emily Lowe

Fourth Tuesday in Advent Devotional

Scripture: I Thessalonians 5:16, Matthew 5:16

Advent is one of the most glorious seasons in the Christian Calendar.  All around you there seems to be a “Song in the Air” lit by a “Star in the Sky”.  We sing many traditional hymns during this wondrous season, many of which have lyrics that revere the beauty and wonder of the birth of the Christ child.  One traditional song we sing during Advent talks about a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry.  I have always loved the imagery of Mary holding the Baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes before laying him in the humble manger.  In my heart, I can hear her “heart singing a new song”, speaking to God in thanks for her beautiful baby and for the safe arrival of the new King.  I imagine the barn animals drawing in close to keep the infant warm through the cold of the night, revering this small creation of God and knowing that they are graced by his presence.  I hope that each of your hearts will be filled with  the wonder, beauty and brightness of the the holiday season.  I thank God for the gift of the Christ Child and pray that all who believe in HIM are blessed during this season of love.

Prayer: Dear Lord, We thank you for giving us a reason to sing a beautiful new song.  We ask that you be with us and guide us as we move forward in this season of beauty and love.  Let us worship you, praise your name, sing with the love of Jesus in our hearts.  Show us the path to righteousness; forgive us for our shortcomings and failings; let our hearts sing and our lights shine for your glory.  Shine your light to show us the way that you would have us to go now and through out the year.  Let us draw in close, like the humble animals, and be awed by the new born King. The birth of Jesus is all about peace, hope, love and joy ….. may the light of the stars in the heavens give light unto your feet and shine on your hearts to bless and keep you in the new year.

Nancy, John, Malcolm and Olivia Malone

Fourth Monday in Advent Devotional

Scripture: 1 John 4: 7-14

Looking back on my life and the many Christmas holidays I spent with my family, I can remember one distinct Christmas that made an impression on me that will last forever. I was in the 6th grade, 11 years old, and my father had recently lost his job and taken another, lower paying job. We had to move into a small trailer owned by my Grandparents. It was going to be a tough Christmas for all of us, but my parents reminded my sister and I that we had each other and we had our love, and that was all that we needed to get through a difficult time. Instead of going to the Christmas tree farm and picking out a choose-and-cut tree, as we always had, we went into the woods behind our house and found a “Charlie Brown Style” Christmas tree that Mom and Dad dug up so they could replant it later. The limbs too weak to hold most ornaments so we strung together berries and popcorn for the branches, instead of taking our usual ornaments out of storage. It was the most beautiful tree I’d ever seen and to this day, my entire family says it is the best Christmas tree we’ve had. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a tree that came together with our love. They didn’t have much money for presents, but my Mom spent months hand sewing clothes for my Barbie Dolls, which she placed in a small wooden box she purchased for me. The clothes were beautiful and I still treasure them. Even though we didn’t have the traditional Christmas, my parents worked hard to show us that love was enough, and it still means so much to me.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for showing us that love and faith can get us through difficult times. I pray that you continue to guide us on the right path and help us realize that with your love and grace we can achieve anything.
Jessica Leigh Johnson

Fourth Sunday in Advent Devotional

Scripture: Psalm 23:1
                                                                                     
As we go through this crazy time of the year, we need to take a moment and stop and look around us and realize what is right in front of us, Gods grace. If your family is anything like ours, then you know what I am talking about. It seems like we are running in circles each and everyday just trying to get things done, and after the day is gone you look back and try to figure out what you did the day before. It seems sometimes that we are so needy and want things right now that we need to step back and take a look around us and thank God for just being able to get out to do all of these things. Good grief. You know what I’m talking about! With us its not only trying to get the college applications done or trying to find the right scholarship or youth or basketball or practice or cheerleading or just everyday activities, oh yeah, and family life, its all in one. We need to just take a step back and not only catch our breath but look around us and realize that its all going to be ok because God is in control. Take time out of this busy time and sit down, not necessarily at the table, maybe on the floor in the living room and tell one another that you love them and how thankful you are for the family that surrounds you.
 
Prayer:
God, Bless our family, let us be reminded of how thankful we should be for your many blessings. Show us that we need to slow down and take time for one another. Everything else will work out…we know this because its all in your hands. Amen

John, Pepper, Alex & Dalton Mayes

Third Saturday in Advent Devotional

Scripture: Luke 1: 28-31

As I was preparing the Christmas cantata this year, I started thinking about Mary’s place in the Christmas story. She trusted that God was with her through what had to have been a scary time. This year has been especially hard for my family. We dealt with the loss of my Papa (mom’s father), my Granny (dad’s mother), and had an unexpected extended stay in the hospital with my dad. Through these experiences we grew closer as a family, but we also grew closer to God.

My mom has shown incredible strength and has been a wonderful example of God’s love. Mom was with Papa every day before his passing, she provided care for my Granny through years of declining health, and was with my dad in the hospital the whole time. She planned, communicated, fed, answered and asked questions, listened, and hugged. She prayed out loud when the rest of us couldn’t.

As Christmas approaches, I am thankful for mothers who love us unconditionally, who show God’s love, and who have enough strength for all of us.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Mary and for the moms (and other women who act as moms) that you place in our lives. Thank you for knowing what we need and providing that for us. Help us all to show your love, even in the most difficult situations. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Elaine Smith

Third Friday in Advent Devotional

Scripture: Ephesians 4:2
Our Christmas Eve plans are as predictable as the sunrise. We begin with our own Christmas meal, then celebrate Christmas Eve with the children of our church and, in recent years, celebrate again with the candlelight communion service. Then the predictability gets a little iffier. We are predictable, but she will not be. As we travel for our ritual to decorate and sing for our friend, Angela, we all begin to wonder. “Will she be happy to see us this year? Will she laugh or snap? Will she even talk to us, or will this be one of those years that she requests we sing her favorite Christmas carols and hymns?” It doesn’t really matter what we speculate or what kind of mood she will be in, we travel on to show her our love. Some people are just harder to love than others. Angela has reminded us all year long and especially on Christmas Eve for the past 21 years that Jesus’ love can and should be shared with even those that are sometimes hard to love. Every few years, she’ll laugh with us, sing with us and softly say “thank you and Merry Christmas” just as it’s time to go. But even if she doesn’t, we love her and will be back next Sunday and next Christmas Eve, as predictably as the sunset. 
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for giving us your son, Jesus, who taught us how to love all of your children. Thank you for Angela and people like her that teach us -in good times and bad- how to love without expecting anything in return.

John, Ginny, Holly and Maggie Mills