TIME IS RUNNING OUT! That’s most likely the clarion call of throngs of people this Christmas season as they hurry and scurry about in what seems like a futile attempt to get everything ready for celebrations with family and friends. The clock seems to have sped up and no matter how we try, we cannot slow down those hands as they go around and around. Countdown is imminent and before we know it, ready or not, THE MOMENT arrives! Those moments of having “the house all sparkling and clean” … “the perfect gifts under the tree” … “the Christmas dinner ready” … and “the fun activities planned for making memories” … like sand in the hourglass, have run out! Even with precision planning and over-the-top organization … add in the mix of anything unexpected – and the idea that everything can get done on time goes “poof” in a split-second! We were in the Mall of America the other day to meet our oldest son and “daughter” so we could watch our grand-daughter do her practice ice-skating routine at the arena, which by the way was such a fun blessing! And she did great! How do our grandchildren grow up so fast? While entering the Mall, we were amazed by the largest Christmas trees we had ever seen! A pair of them drew everyone’s immediate attention to the central display where live music was being played on the stage between those grand Christmas beacons. Standing there gazing up at them and listening to the beautiful music, suddenly our son and his wife appeared! He had sent us to this place to meet, and because it was the central focus of everything, there was no difficulty in finding each other. Lindsay was off exploring the Mall with her team-mates and chaperone … so we embarked on our own set of adventures with our son and daughter. Walking here and walking there, we saw hundreds and hundreds of people just milling around the Mall. Very few looked as if they were out for a relaxed stroll – and many others looked a lot lost – plus seeming like they were at a loss for what gifts they should buy. And then it was, “can we afford this”? Others seemed to just settle for whatever gift they could lay their hands on … because after all, Christmas is almost here – and time is running out! I kept thinking to myself, “How many of you people know that it’s Jesus’ Birthday we are celebrating on Christmas Day?” Sometimes it takes the shock of something to bring us back to reality … to remind us of what’s really important. Like just one week ago today, we received the phone call telling us that our friend, Connie, had gone to be with Jesus. Though we knew she was battling cancer and dealing with extreme pain, we also knew she had thousands of people praying for her healing! Well, God healed her the way He chose! While we would have loved to have kept her here and to see her healed on this earth, God wanted even more to have her come and live with Him. And He gets first choice! Thrilled for her, yet we are saddened by the loss of such a special lady who touched so many lives for eternity. That first day, I just kept saying, “Wow, Connie, you’re with Jesus! What is it like, Connie?” It hardly seemed true that first day – and now a week later, it still hardly seems true. But the realization of our mere morality slaps us directly across the face, and gives us a lashing of the heart, chiding us for not always doing what is most important. One of the first things I chided myself for was not posting a short message in response to what she had just written the day before on Facebook. The hour was getting so late, I still had so much to do, and though I had prayed for Connie and held her in my heart, I made the decision to go to bed and get a little rest – I would post a message for her the next time. But, alas, time was running out for Connie, and little did I know that God was sending His angels for her the very next morning! No more chances for me to do what I could have done the evening before! Oh, I know she would understand. It’s just that I knew I had missed an opportunity to encourage her! Time had run out. Now, another choice. This past weekend because I chose to do what I knew was most important – investing in the life of our granddaughter… time ran out for something else. But, without question, we made the right choice. We came home late Saturday evening and still had several ministry items to complete before worship the next morning. We did everything and then … the church blog still awaited its creation. Time was running out. By this time, it was midnight, and to accomplish the writing, the publishing, and the sending of the blog, I would still be up another almost three hours. I knew that our family who watches the “hour” that the blog gets posted would be concerned that I was up into the wee hours of the morning. And my husband, though I was so saddened at the possibility of not getting to do the blog, simply and sternly said, “Deb, you are not doing that blog at this hour – you are going to bed!” Not having ever missed writing a weekly update for the church blog before, I wanted so much to still write. But in my heart, I just knew he was right. When you’ve done all you know how to do … you leave it in God’s hands ~ and life goes on. There would be another week, and another blog. And if not, being Home with Jesus would be all that would matter, right?! A very long time ago, because God didn’t want Time to run out on us, He sent His Son as a Baby in the manger – so that we would have the opportunity – right now, today - to choose Him so that we can live forever! Time IS running out … who can we tell about Jesus and the real reason we celebrate Christmas? Let’s answer that before it’s too late!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- BLESSINGS, BLESSINGS were ours these past few weeks! Our people were blessed and encouraged by the ministry of Wayne and Verla, and how we thank them for their gift of time and travel and talents! May God’s favor be yours, we pray! Our church has also been blessed with the anonymous gift of a new sound system (new to us!), complete with mixer and capability for four microphones! May God bless this family who has given from their hearts to enhance the ministry of Elevation North for the glory of God!
- OUR SPECIAL WELCOME to Karrie, Leah, and Isaac, who worshipped with us for the first time in these past few weeks! What a joy to have you join us in worship and fellowship! We pray you were blessed!
- THANKS to everyone who participated in the caroling ministry to our community of seniors in four different facilities this past Sunday! God gifted us with great weather, happy recipients of our singing, and a great time around the tables as we enjoyed bowls of hot chili and cups of hot chocolate – plus all those Christmas goodies!
- BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS go out to Joel, Corie, and Andrew! May each of you experience God’s love & peace!
- LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES are sent to our youngest son, Dustin, who celebrates on December 21st! Our prayer is that your life and year to come will be showered with God’s favor above all else! We love you, son!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- DECEMBER 24TH: 6:00 P.M. - CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE; bring the family!
- BRING YOUR GIFTS for the family we want to bless this evening; it’s our Birthday Gift to Jesus!!!
- DECEMBER 25TH: 10:00 a.m. – CHRISTMAS SUNDAY WORSHIP CELEBRATION / JESUS’ BIRTHDAY!
- DECEMBER 31ST: 8:00 P.M. – NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY for all ages w/movies, games, and snacks! Come and get to know your church family better as we spend a relaxing, fun evening together! Bring your favorite snack!
- JANUARY 1ST: 10:00 A.M. – NEW YEAR’S DAY PRAISE & WORSHIP focusing on the opportunities and visions for the new year as together we serve the Lord and continue reaching out beyond the walls of our church!
- GOD INVITES US TO ASK! So today, we are asking for God’s special touch of healing for Gerard, Elsie, Bryan, Kay, and others; we are claiming divine protection for Justin and all of those serving our country; we are seeking miracles for Johnny and Cherry; for leading for Cierra; we are praising God for great results for Verla; and together, we are trusting God for every need each one of us has! To God be the glory!
- REMEMBER . . . “Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” ~ Alexander Smith (“For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given …” Isaiah 9:6)
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
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