STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA November 30, 2015 A Monthly Publication of Bethesda Baptist Church HAPPY … ! The Bethesda family has several Happy Birthday wishes this month! * Debbie on the 4th * Meghan on the 6th * Rachelle on the 11th * Jon on the 15th * Rick on the 21st * Pam on the 31st BUSINESS MEETING Wednesday, December 9th 7 p.m. Merry Christmas! The Luther Monthly On Christmas Eve of 1538, one of Martin Luther’s students recorded the following: “All his words and songs and thoughts were of the incarnation of our Lord. Then with a sigh he said, ‘Oh, we poor men that we should be so cold and indifferent to this great joy which has been given us. This indeed is the greatest gift, which far exceeds all else that God has created. And we believe so feebly even though the angels proclaim and preach and sing, and their song is fair and sums up the whole Christian religion, for glory to God in the highest is the very heart of worship. This they wish for us and bring to us in Christ.’” Christmas Fellowship Our annual Christmas Fellowship will be on Saturday, December 12 beginning at 5 p.m. Every family is asked to bring a finger food and a drink to share. We’ll fellowship together, snack together, and maybe play some games as well. Make plans to join us! Bethesda will host a Christmas Eve service on Thursday, December 24 at 6 p.m. We’ll sing some songs and recount the story of the birth of Christ as we worship our Lord and celebrate His birth. If you would like to participate in the service (e.g., perhaps sing a song, read some Scripture, etc.), please let the pastor know as soon as possible. Since we will meet on Thursday that week, our normal Wednesday service for December 23 is canceled. Pastor’s Postscript Christmas time seems to “sneak up” on me faster with every passing year. My clocks appear to speed up beginning at Thanksgiving and do not slow down again until the 1st of the year! I believe the many activities in which we participate at this time every year help to contribute to this illusion. There are parties, family gatherings, Christmas cards, cookies to make, presents to buy, carols to sing, etc., etc., etc. Before you know it, December the 25th has arrived! Despite all the activities during this season, there are 4 I strongly encourage you to be a part of leading up to Christmas. 1. Bethesda’s Christmas Fellowship. We have held it on Saturday evening for a few years now and each year has been great fun. This year we gather on December 12. 2. Bethesda’s Christmas Eve Service. Over my years as your pastor, we have hosted a few such services and I have been blessed at each one. This year we are meeting once again on December 24th and would love to have every member present. 3. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. We begin collecting this Sunday and every penny goes to support our international missionaries & their work. 4. Remembering Christ. Let’s not forget why we celebrate! Worship Him each and every day. May Christ grant you a wonderful December and terrific Christmas! Pastor Bruce
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