Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

     This year I am editing and reprinting an article printed in our December 2002 Grace Notes. Some of you may remember it in part. Since my Dad is with the Lord this Christmas, his first Christmas in the presence of the King of Kings, I am including this article in Dad's honor. So much has changed since writing this article, yet the precious memories shared with you several years ago still remain.

      I remember our home in New York. Our address was 22 Denver Street, Rochester, NY. I was the fifth child born to my parents in a family that eventually included five boys, two girls and two parents who celebrated over 50 years of marriage together. Since we moved to Arizona shortly before my eighth birthday, this memory goes back a long way. To an eight year old, our home was huge. There was a large tree in the back yard— tree house material. Since we had a large family, we would play baseball in the back yard. I think our neighbor eventually covered the garage window with some kind of metal screen since he got tired of repairing that broken window. Dad used to park the car across the street in the neighbor's garage— we didn't have a garage. The garage was just big enough for the car to fit, and I mean just big enough. This neighbor was a dentist and I think you can find his tools of the trade in the ancient museum of dentistry somewhere; you will get the idea if you remember the old sewing machines that required you to pedal as you sewed. The main floor of the house had an entry area, living room, dining room and kitchen. Upstairs there were four bedrooms, a bathroom, and a bathtub that I think had feet.

     I shared a bedroom with one or two of my four older brothers. The staircase that led upstairs was a split staircase. The bottom half came up to a landing from both the front room and near the kitchen entrance. After the landing there were single stairs that led to the bedrooms. Mom used to keep the vacuum cleaner in a cabinet on the landing. We also had a basement and an attic. Both the basement and the attic were cool places to play with lots of "stuff" that was stored and ready to be explored. Dad kept his tools in the basement, and they were not there to be explored. Ha, I remember the story about one of us being sent to the basement by Dad to get a Phillips screwdriver, and every screwdriver was labeled "Craftsman," or maybe it was a Crescent wrench….again, everything said "Craftsman." C Christmas around our house was always a big deal. Dad had to find the perfect Christmas tree and then fix it. He always got extra branches and then drilled and filled in the tree wherever it needed more branches. The tree was put in the dining room and immaculately decorated, and if you stood on the landing that led to the upstairs, squat down a little next to the side by the kitchen, you could see the perfect Christmas tree. My oldest brother tells how he used to get up after the house grew quiet on Christmas Eve, plug in the Christmas tree lights and then sit on the staircase landing enjoying his very precious private viewing. Our Christmas tree had bubble lights and a multi- engine train set underneath. I think the bubble lights quit bubbling several years ago, but the train set is still around. And I remember snow, lots of snow, enough snow to build snow forts. And I remember snow ball fights. When dad parked the car across the street in the neighbor's garage he would get ambushed on his way back to the house. I remember Mom and hot chocolate, and a wall with hooks by the back door that held all our coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and our boots piled on the floor underneath.

      Mom always made Christmas dinner special. I think we ate lots of Christmas dinners at Grandma's. Sometime during the day there was Italian food (Mom's side of the family), Polish food (Dad's side) and traditional American foods in abundance. Dad never did let us celebrate Christmas without making us aware of the real reason for the holiday. Sometime during the day, amidst the tree, presents, family, food, and snow, Dad read us the Christmas story, I think probably from Luke 2.

      Thanks, Dad, for so many special memories and for always reminding us, even last December, of the real GIFT of Christmas.

      I trust this Christmas season that you are remembering and building memories with your family, memories that include the birth of the Christ Child as well as very special family times.

      Pastor Paul

Kids Korner - Pastor Greg

      We read these words in Galatians: "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!' Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." (Galatians 4:4-7)

      God is sovereign. Now I'll admit that that is one of those "fancy church words" that we preachers often throw around. But it is so true and it is so vital to our understanding the story of this season of the year. When we speak of God's sovereignty, we speak of His perfect knowledge and His perfect plan for the ages. These verses speak of the absolute perfect timing of Jesus' birth ("when the fullness of the time had come"). The time of His birth, the place of His birth, the manner of His birth, and more were all well known to God, even before He revealed them in the prophetic Old Testament Scriptures.

      Our world often portrays God as an old, distant, out-of-touch, and even feeble being. Friends, nothing could be further from the truth! He is all-powerful, He is all-knowing! Nothing that happens in this world takes Him by surprise! And while we may not be able to comprehend the orchestration of events on Planet Earth, rest assured it is all under control.

      So when I think of Christmas, I am reminded of THE PLAN. And when I stop to consider all the pieces that were put together for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, God in the flesh, I stand in amazement. Because that same God has a PLAN for me! Look at the rest of the verses I quoted. Now I am redeemed, now I am adopted, now I am His son, and now I am an heir of God! Just think of it! Your life is not meaningless. There is a plan and purpose for it, just as there was with Jesus coming to this Earth as a little baby.

      You may find yourself uncertain about the future or anxious about the past. Rest. Rest in His sovereignty, in His plan for your life. The Christmas story is a compelling one, but so is the story of every believer in Jesus Christ. Celebrate BOTH this season.

      We cannot thank you enough for your support of our family this past year. It is truly an honor and a joy to serve you, your children, and your grandchildren. Thank you for the privilege. May each of you have a wonderful Christmas holiday and a very blessed 2007.

     CHRISTMAS FAMILY GATHERING

     We will be celebrating the birth of our Savior on Christmas Eve morning, December 24th, at 10:30 AM with our "Family Gathering." The children will be taking part in the Morning Worship service that day and, in anticipation of that, we will be working on some Christmas-themed songs and presentations for that morning during our Children's Church time over the next several weeks. Let me encourage you to bring your children to Children's Church so that we might get ready for that special Sunday. If you have any questions, please let me know.

      Pastor Greg

Christmas Family Gathering

Join us for a special service, following Sunday School on December 24 at 10:30 AM. Take part as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in song and word. Sing along to old Christmas hymns, enjoy carols from our Children’s Ministry, musical specials and an encouraging word from Pastor Paul.

Salvation Army Angel Kids

Thanks to thousands of donations, the Salvation Army is able to bring Christmas to many needy families. Would you prayerfully consider donating a new, unwrapped toy to the Salvation Army Angel Kids Program? Toys should be for children under the age of 12. A collection barrel is in the church foyer thru December 13.

Interfaith Food Bank

Because of your giving, Christian Assistance Network is able to help clothe, shelter and feed hundreds of families in our community. Would you please consider making a monetary donation this month, as funds and food are very limited? Checks maybe made to GBC and designated to CAN Food Bank.

Operation Christmas Child

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Operation Christmas Child Program. We collected 414 boxes. Because of your dedication, hurting boys and girls are being impacted a world away with the Good News of Jesus Christ. A special thanks to all who stayed Sunday afternoon to help pack the crates. May the Lord greatly bless you all during the holiday season.

Ten Ways to Beat the Holiday Blues

• Be Financially Responsible. Don't close your eyes the next time you use your credit card. Overspending during the holidays will not only increase your stress now, but will also leave you feeling anxious for months afterward as you struggle to pay the bills. Buck the holiday system of excessive gift giving, and practice simplicity, creativity, and basic human kindness.
• Breathe. Several times during your busy day, put down what you're holding (in your hand or in your head) - your shopping lists, your third cup of coffee, your date book, the phone call you should be making - and sit quietly for just 60 seconds. Take in a full breath, let it pool gently in the bottom of your lungs, and then release it slowly. Inhale deeply again, and exhale with an audible sigh. If you're at work, don't worry what your colleagues might think - this time of year everyone would love to sigh deeply and often. Inhale again; exhale with a long "aaahh". With each exhalation, let your shoulders drop and your jaw relax. Do this a couple of times, with your eyes closed. Let the "aaahh" sound emerge from your belly, move up into your heart, and drift out into space as you exhale, slowly, smoothly, steadily.
• Grieve. If a friend or family member has recently died honor their memory. Create an alter with pictures of those you love; light candles every night for someone you have lost; play sacred music and allow yourself to cry, remember, heal.
• Forgive. Forgiveness is the salve that heals a broken spirit. Forgive all sorts of people this holiday season - those from your past, your work, your family, and the ones in the news you love to hate. Read the stories of people (like Martin Luther King, Jr., or Pumla Gobodo Madikizela, of South Africa's Truth and Reconcilliation Committee) who have used forgiveness to move mountains. If they can do it, so can we.
• Love... everything. Love it all. From the corny Christmas music to the house guests who won't leave. Love even the hard times; even the cranky and crooked people of the world; even yourself, with all of your imperfections.

Watch for the remaining 5 tips in the December issue.

King's Daughters

"Our Hope When Times Are Hard"

Have you ever wondered what is the “goal of my faith”? What does holiness really mean and how can I be holy? When is “submission” compromised? When should I stand up for my rights? What happens when I do what I think is the right thing, and something terrible happens? Was I wrong?

Come join the women of “King’s Daughters” and together we will seek out the answers to the above questions, share insights and practical application from the LifeGuide series on 1&2 Peter and Jude.

First meeting will be on Saturday, January 27th, at 9:00 AM in Gym Room 10. For more information see Vicki Gasperoni.

Children's Ministry Christmas Party

Please bring your children to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Wednesday, December 20, at 6:45 PM. If you have any questions please speak to Pastor Greg.

January Events

Calendar of Events

Click on the highlighted dates - the events are shown on the right.