Thursday, December 6, 2012

12/6 E-News


Announcements
Adopt a family—The Christmas season is upon us, and I'd like to invite you to consider helping out another family. I've talked with our contact at East Brainerd Elementary, and she said that she has a list of families that could use a little help this Christmas. It may be as little as a small gift card to Toys r Us, or it can be bigger if you like. Let me know if you'd like to take part.

Christmas Eve—The Christmas Eve service will be @ 7:00.

Wednesday Night Suppers—The last Supper of the year will be 12/19.

New Hope News

Sunday School—This Sunday, the adult class will discuss Zechariah.

Christmas Schedule—The cantata will be Sunday, December 16. Handbells will play this Sunday.


Pray For:

Pray for Roger, too, in his continued recovery.

Please lift up Victor Christian this week, as Bettyann passed away Saturday.

Pray for those who do not know Christ.

Links






Keith's Random Thoughts

Caleb doesn't walk yet, but he can push things. Our neighbors graciously gave us some of their old toys, and so Caleb has a little car/truck that he pushes up and down our hallway, squealing in delight every step of the way. Rachel & I could spend hours watching him do this. He does need a little help turning around at the end of the hallway.

Now, we don't have the longest hallway in the world, and it isn't very wide, either. If the truck has the slightest deviation in it from straight, Caleb doesn't make it all the way down the hall before crashing into the wall or the couch or something else. We have to make sure that Caleb is lined up properly before releasing him.

I think the devil relies on similar tactics. Sin creeps into our life, but it does so slowly. At first, the deviation from God's will may not even be noticeable. We take the tiniest turn from right living, and no one, ourselves included, may notice it at first, but over time that error compounds. It may take years, or even decades, but soon we find ourselves crashing into the walls of life, and the full effects of that sin are felt. Sin takes a little hold, then a little more, and then a little more, and each minor misstep isn't noticed, but their total effect can be drastic.

So let us be vigilant. Let us pay attention to how we live, to the choices we may and the thoughts we think. May we examine ourselves often, spending the time to root out sin tirelessly, making sure it doesn't worm its way deep into our hearts and minds. May our feet stay on the straight and narrow, and may our eyes stay focused on Christ, that we might run our race well and for the glory of God.


Text for this Sunday
Philippians 4:10-14

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.


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