December 2008 Message from the Pastor

Christmas

Weather of late has been unusually mild. It hardly seems like Christmas time. The economic climate has been much chillier. With so much anxiety, it’s hard to think about the joy that Christmas should produce. Indeed, we may not be ready for Christmas yet. Yet Christmas will come and I pray it will draw us in and warm us with a strong message of hope.

We’ve been talking about hope in worship. We want to capture the biblical sense that God doesn’t just promise blessings “from a distance” i.e. heaven or as a distant God. Instead, God says, “I will be with you (Immanuel) and will share your burdens and pain so that you may know my empathy, my concern, and my determination to deliver and heal you.” Hope comes to us in the form of a brother, a Messiah, a deliverer. Hope comes as a Lord who commands our attention and leads us in ways that lead to peace.

I pray that you will rediscover the power of the incarnation this year. Spend time here as the music and spirit of Christmas begins to take hold of our spirits. Participate in the many activities outlined in this newsletter. Share your hope with those in special need at this time. Offerings and special gifts for needy families are an important part of our celebrating and don’t forget to give generously. Pray for the many people living in despair and poverty that Christ will find his way into their lives.

If you travel this holiday and won’t be with us, may God be with you! Wherever you are, pray for us as we will for you. Together may we hope for a New Year with ever greater hope that God will remain near to us and bless us.


Pastor Jim Friedrich