The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. … For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.  (Isaiah 9:2,6-7a)

It seems ironic that during the Christmas season when we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace there is so little peace.  Not only do wars and violence continue everywhere, but lots of us have trouble finding peace in our own lives.  We rush around trying to get everything done before Christmas.  We try to live up to our own expectations that decorating, buying, baking, sending cards, and gathering with family and friends will make or break Christmas.  There is added pressure on those who have suffered a loss, because even with all the holiday preparations things won’t be the same.  Only God in Christ can bring real and lasting peace to us and to the world.  Yet we can open ourselves to the possibilities of peace by letting go of some of those expectations.  We can refocus our priorities on the things that are most important—Jesus, worship, and family and friends.   If we let go of some of our expectations about the trappings of Christmas and stop trying so hard to do everything, the world as we know it will not come to an end (in fact it could be a whole lot better.)  I’m encouraging us to simplify, to buy less, and to share more.  I’m giving us permission to bake fewer cookies, to leave some of the holiday decorations in their boxes, to hold off or skip sending all those cards, and whatever else we need to do to slow down and with God’s help experience true peace and joy this Christmas.

This prayer by Ted Loder speaks to me about receiving peace.   “How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given.  I would be silent now, Lord, and expectant…that I may receive the gift I need, so I may become the gift others need.”

Tom and I are praying that you will have a joyous and peaceful Christmas.

In Christ’s love,

November is a time of taking stock.  On All Saint’s Day, we remember those who have gone before us and give thanks for their part in making it possible for us to be a part of the Aldersgate Church today.

On November 8, we’ll reflect on our service to Christ.  There will be a mission fair and potluck meal following the 11 AM worship service.  We will be kicking off the “90 in 90” challenge.  Everyone in the congregation will be encouraged to give 90 minutes in joyful service in our community over the next 90 days (that’s 1 ½ hours over three months).  We all should be able to do that.  Be sure to tell me about your experience.

Later in the month, we’ll take time to count our blessings and give thanks to God for the multitude of blessings we have received.  This year several churches are gathering for a Thanksgiving service that will be held on Monday, Nov. 23 at 7 PM at Bethany Presbyterian Church, on Dewey Avenue near Maiden Lane.   I hope you’ll join us for this special time of worship and giving thanks.

November 29 marks the beginning of the Christian year and Advent.  Advent means “coming.”  As Christians we prepare for the celebration of the coming of Christ to a stable in Bethlehem, the coming of Christ in our lives today, and the coming of Christ in final victory at the end of time.

In our society, much of the preparation is not so much about the coming of Christ as it is for a day of self-indulgence.  I’ve already (in mid-October) been in stores where the Christmas decorations have been brought out.  People have already started buying gifts or will do so soon.  So I’d like to offer some thoughts on gift giving.

There is nothing wrong with giving gifts to our family and friends at Christmas as long as we do so in the spirit of Christ and don’t go overboard.  Michael Slaughter writes, “I often say that Christmas is not our birthday; it is Jesus’ birthday.  We should stop acting as if it’s our birthday.   We should do what honors Jesus on Jesus’ birthday.  Yet most Christians tend to miss the real meaning of Christmas and continue its celebration through self-focused practices that fulfill the materialistic desires of friends and family.”  We need to focus on the real meaning for Christmas.

Never go into debt or further into debt to pay for Christmas gifts.  Consider giving things of lasting value--maybe something you’ve made, or a promise of future service.  My dad has pretty much everything he needs, so for the last several years our Christmas gift to him has been a donation in his honor to a charity that he values.

Consider purchasing gifts from a “Fair Trade” organization.  Trade As One says, “One billion people live on less than one dollar a day.  If every churchgoer in America purchased just one Fair Trade gift this Christmas, one million families would be lifted out of poverty for one whole year.  Our gift giving can literally be life giving for someone living in extreme poverty.  These gifts can be purchased at several web sites.  A couple of these are www.tradeasone.com; and www.betterwayimports.com.  They import goods from third world countries.  There is also www.crafts.rbmission.org which is the Red Bird Mission site that markets products made by Appalachian crafters.

Get involved with the White Gifts program and help purchase gifts and food for those in need.  This is a long running important ministry at Aldersgate.

Pray about giving a special financial gift to missions.  Five years ago, Michael Slaughter (who reminded us that it’s Jesus’ birthday not ours) challenged the Ginghamsberg United Methodist Church congregation, to make a miracle offering for missions on Christmas.  He suggested that each family bring as an offering an amount to equal to what they spent on their family and friends.  Many did that and have continued to do so each year.  They have raised several million dollars and built an amazing ministry in Darfur in the Sudan.  They have built over 160 schools that, in addition to teaching both boys and girls, provide children with one meal a day all year.  For half the year that’s likely to be the only meal they receive.  This mission has built wells in the communities so children don’t have to travel miles in unsafe areas to draw water for their families.  They have helped thousands of farmers build new lives for themselves and their families by a sustainable agriculture program.   It’s truly amazing what one congregation can do when they devote themselves to serving Christ.

We are blessed to be a blessing.  Let’s bless others with our time and our gifts this year.

Many blessings,

During the past year, the health of the US economy has dropped significantly.  The financial crisis is effecting all of us, some more than others.  People are being impacted not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually, as fear and worry increase and relationships are strained.   God is good.  God cares about these things and desires wholeness in all aspects of our lives.  In October, I’ll be doing a series of messages based on James 4 and a book by Michael Slaughter entitled, “Upside Living in a Downsize Economy.”   Together we’ll examine what the Bible says to us about these challenging times and look at practical ways to experience the abundant life for which God created us.  I pray you’ll join us each Sunday.

Blessings and prayers,

Pastor Anne

In June we held a church wide Call to Prayer.  Prayer is so important to who we are as the people of God that I intend to keep calling us to prayer.  “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”  (Ephesians 6:18, TNIV)

In his commentary on Ephesians, Klyne Snodgrass writes, “Praying in the Spirit is different from just praying.  Most people pray, if religious surveys can be trusted, but most of our prayers tend to be ‘wish lists’ and prayers for protection.  Praying in the Spirit involves engagement with God and assistance from the Spirit that takes us beyond our immediate concerns.  True prayer is a comprehensive activity, involving a variety of modes from praise to lament, from confession to obedience, and from contemplation to intercession.  …

What we must do is keep the channel open, aware of God and our relation to God.  Too easily, we greet God in the morning or over a meal, but do not interact with God the rest of the day.  Specific times of prayer are crucial, but all of life is to be prayed.”

I know it’s easier said than done, but our life with Christ will be so much richer if we develop a lifestyle of continuous prayer.  As you pray regularly, please keep the Aldersgate UMC in your prayers.

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Sprit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”  (Ephesians 1:16-19a)

Blessings and prayers,