Today in McCamey

PPRC meeting tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the church.

United Methodist Women meeting at Louise Carll's home, 7:00 p.m.

Advent Devotional for December 12th

"St. Peter invited to walk on the water"
Francois Boucher, 1766

"Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" - Matthew 14:28-30
+++++

"Jesus said, 'Life moves by exchanges; loss is the price of gain. Some pay with one thing, some with another; whatever is most dear, that is my price.' I said, 'Why is that your price?' Jesus said, 'What is dear is what is held dear, and there can be no holding by those who will be here with me and gone with me.'" (Russell Hoban, Pilgermann)
+++++"He takes leave of the earthly pantomime
Quietly, knowing it is time to go.
'I am just going outside and may be some time,'
At the heart of the ridiculous, the sublime."
(Derek Mahon, Antartica)
+++++

What is it that you hold most dear? What would it take - what would it mean - for you to leave it behind?

(St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Advent Devotional for 2005)

Chilly day in McCamey

Joys and Concerns from this morning:

+Please remember to visit the Security Bank lobby and pick up a tag from the Angel Tree. 
+The Trustees remind everyon to not adjust the thermostats.  These are already programmed for optimum efficiency.
+The United Methodist Women will be meeting tomorrow (Dec. 12) at the home of Louise Carll.
+The PPRC will meet tomorrow (Dec. 12) at 6:00 p.m. in the church parlor.

Joys:
+Jack & Sherry Phillips had their four great-grandsons (and their parents) for a visit last week.
+63rd birthday of Coy Lynch is this week.
+Mike Sherrod and Cytha Peters offered special music this morning. 
+Bradyn M. and Cadyn M. did a great job taking the offering.

Concerns:
+Prayers for healing are asked for Samantha F. (Glen S.'s 8 year-old great-niece), Freda P., Jack P., Jerry P., and Elma W. (Marsh Lewis' mother-in-law).
+Bobbie Lester's parents had a bad auto accident near Seymour.

Third Sunday of Advent

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)   
                                                                                                   
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John1:14 (ESV)    

The Message translates John 1:14 as...the Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood... The Christmas season for Christians is all about God coming down in the form of a man and moving into our neighborhood. It is because of this that we can know God personally. It is because God was man that He understands our joys and our struggles and what makes Him different from every other god of every other religion.

As Christmas approaches our stress level goes up. There is so much to do, presents to still buy, decorations to hang, preparations to make, and it all seems to grow more overwhelming as the day gets closer and closer.

Isaiah gives us few of the names of Jesus. As you get busier why not take some time to focus on who Jesus really is? Wonderful counselor...give Him your stress and your worries. Mighty God...know that He alone can and will help you out in every situation. Everlasting Father...just like as children we could curl up in our dads lap, Jesus invites us to rest, to curl up in His lap and take time to just enjoy being with Him. Prince if Peace...He can bring peace to all those stressful situations that seem to occur at the holidays and rob us of our joy.

We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas that goes beyond what is under the tree. God Himself loved us so much that He moved into our neighborhood. He wants this season to be a time of reflection on Him and celebration for what He has done for us. As Christians we have already received the greatest gift ever given...God Himself! Celebrate that today.

written by Tandy Adams, First UMC - McCamey

Prayer Request

From Pam S.

Please pray for our niece, Cheryl F. and her daughter, Samantha.  Samantha has contracted a virus that made her kidney and liver shut down.  They have been care lifted to Houston where Samantha may receive a transplant from Cheryl [her mom]. 

Advent Devotional for December 10th

"We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."

- Romans 8:28
+++++

"Marvel at our contrary orbits. Mine

salutes yours, wherever we pass or cross,

which may be now, might very well be now."

- Geoffrey Hill, Scenes from Comus

++++++

What does it mean to love God?

It means embracing with joy God's free gift of love;

It means denying the selfish devices and desires of our own hearts; It means running forward to meet each other at the frontiers of our being. What do you think it means?

(St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Advent Devotional, 2005)

Advent Devotional for December 9th

God of comfort, these times seem so uncertain, so scary. The world seems darker than it has in the past and I am less sure of myself. Maybe that's a good thing; maybe now I am turning to you with a realization that I need you so much more and that my life is not in my own control. Let me not forget all of those around the world who are frightened at this moment.

Help those who are victims of terrorism and war. Be with those who have lost so much in the past year. Hold us all in your loving arms and let us be comforted by the strength and peace you want to much to offer us through the birth of your son, Jesus. Thank you for the many gifts you offer us. Amen.

Creighton University Online Ministries