ATTENTION PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS!!
Dear Friends,

Most people would tell you that the months of November and December are the busiest months of the year. There is so much to do and never enough time to get it all done! But, it is a beautiful time of year too. Families get together more often, the music is beautiful (all except the songs played over and over again in every store), the first snowfalls are exciting. The best thing of all is that we are reminded that we are so blessed! It is a time to thank God for our blessings, and it is a good time to thank others who make our lives rich and full. It is a time to remember that God loved us so much that he gave the greatest gift ever given– his Son, Jesus.

When I think about all these reasons for appreciating this time of year, I cannot help but remember my childhood and the childhood of our own children. For our children and for me as a child, this was the very best time of the year, and the church was a big part of why it was so special. That is why I am writing this letter especially for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. There is something on my heart that I want you to know, and I hope that I will be able to tell you in just the right way.

I know how busy your life is when there are children at home. But I am asking you to consider adding one more
responsibility to all the others you have already. I would like you to be sure that the children in your life come to church and Sunday School during these next weeks. The church is the place where children can both see and hear the way the holidays really should be celebrated. They help light Advent candles or they say a part or sing a song in special worship services. They see the Christmas tree with its “chrismon” ornaments which are not anything like the ornaments on their own trees, and they learn that they are symbolic of the life and work of Jesus Christ. They hear Christmas music that is not played over a sound system in the stores, and they hear the real reason why we have a Christmas celebration.

It is so important that your children be in church at this special time that I am going to say something I do not usually say. Starting November 3, bring your kids to the door of the church even if you can’t attend and a good person will meet them there and be with them during church and Sunday School. If you cannot be in worship, let your children be here anyway! There will be no criticism for doing it that way. If this is something you would like to talk over with me, please call or email me. If you would like to drop your children off at the church door, let me know and I will see to it that you know who will be meeting them at the door and caring for them during church and Sunday School.

In Christian love,
Pastor Lorraine
873-1290
pastorlorraine@verizon.net


Dear Friends,

I hope that you will enjoy reading this Encounter. There is so much that is going on here at church, and I wanted you to know all about it. This issue is a combination of December and January material. We have had combined issues in the past, so I decided to try it once again. This will make it possible for the church secretary and me to have an easier week between Christmas and New Year’s Day! I have tried to include everything, but I know that there will be items left out. For one thing, I always remember more people who should have been thanked! The list of those who gave poinsettias for Christmas will be in the next Encounter.

There are so many reasons to be thankful this Christmas season. One of my blessings is seeing many of our young families coming to church every week. I see little children growing in their knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a Christian and to be part of “church.” Seeing toddlers running down the aisle, having children help to decorate the church Christmas trees, and kids who want to be in the Christmas program– for these and like blessings I give thanks! Parents, your example to your children is so pleasing to God! I know how full your lives are, and what a commitment you are making, so I say “Hurray for you!”

God sent us His Son Jesus Christ so that we might experience the fullness of his love. God could have let us suffer the consequences of our sins and bad living. Almighty God could have washed his hands of us, given up on us. Instead, God did the most amazing thing ever! God humbled himself to come to into this world in the most vulnerable way, as a newborn baby. That baby who was laid in a hay-filled manger, and whose parents had to flee to Egypt for fear that his life would be taken– that same baby lived his life among human beings experiencing what we experience. That baby grew up to be the Savior of the world who gave his life on the cross of Calvary.

The other day one of my grandson’s was visiting Hackley Park in Muskegon with his family. They were there to see the Christmas lights and displays. All at once he pointed to the nativity scene which was part of the display and said, “Look, Mom, there’s the Lord!” He had it so right! Jesus must be our Lord in order for Christmas to make any sense to us. Life can be so hard, but there is that tiny baby ready to remind us that Jesus Christ is the Lord of all of life! Alleluia!

Blessings in the name of Jesus,
Pastor Lorraine