CPC THIS WEEK
December 2, 2011
THE E-NEWSLETTER OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
“Bethlehem: The not so ‘little’ Little Town”
“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight”
What’s you favorite Christmas hymn or song? I have to admit that this particular one is not my favorite, though I like it nonetheless.
Phillip Brooks wrote this hymn following his horseback ride from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, where he participated in the mid-night Christmas Eve service in 1865
“I remember standing in the old church in Bethlehem, close to the spot where Jesus was born, when the whole church was ringing hour after hour with splendid hymns of praise to God, how again and again it seemed as if I could hear voices I knew well, telling each other of the Wonderful Night of the Savior’s birth.”
His church organist later put the words to music on Christmas Eve 1868.
Actually, there aren’t many Christmas songs that I don’t like – the message is so clear and comforting. I think that is why I’m drawn to this line of verse:
“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight”
It’s a bold statement by Brooks, is it not? Think about the era in which he penned these words. A beloved president had been assassinated. America was just breathing the air of its first Christmas without a civil war in four years! Not to mention the unrest of the world at that time. Nearly one hundred and fifty years later our country and world are faced with similar challenges and crises. We need a clear a comforting message today! And here it is – all of our hopes, all of our fears, WERE met in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago! It is the messages of the ages.
In the foothills of the Judean countryside, in a small, insignificant city, the God of the universe sent to earth our Savior – Jesus. Out of the town called “House of Bread” came the one called the “Bread of Life.” In the very same city where a young shepherd boy named David use to run and play, came the child of whom it was said would rule and reign on David’s throne forever – the King of Kings!
So, what are your hopes? What are your fears? Is there really any other place where they can “be met?” No – there is not other place other than the town that recorded the census visit of a young couple from Nazareth - Joseph, and his betrothed, Mary. But it’s more than a place – you and I know that. It’s not about a place; it’s about a person. We fix our eyes not on the promised birthplace - we look instead to the One promised.
“O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!”
In the Joy of Jesus -
Bob
**SUNDAY'S SERMON**
Christmas: The Best Story Ever Told
Chapter 2 - Mary
“How Can This Be?”
Luke 2:1-7
Bob Clark
CPC Adult Sunday School
Jean Azbell, missionary to the Philippines, will be with us this Sunday sharing news of her life and ministry.
DEACONS’ FUND OFFERING NEXT SUNDAY – December 11th.
Every second Sunday of the month we collect a Deacons’ Fund offering for the Mercy Ministry needs existing both inside and outside of our church. We encourage you to prayerfully consider your participation in becoming the hands and feet of the Gospel through your Deacons. Thank You.
SAVE THE DATE - CPC Christmas Dinner Party!!!
Where: Forest Hills Country Club
When: Sunday, December 18, 6 pm
Who: Adult CPC members and friends
Cost: $20.00/person (financial assistance is available)
Christmas Singing Telegrams
The Youth Group will deliver a few songs of Christmas joy and cheer, as well as a Christmas surprise, to a business associate, relative, shut-in, nursing home resident, or your favorite person/persons, on Saturday, December 17th, from 5:30 –8:30 p.m.
To order your Singing Telegram, fill out the form in this Sunday’s bulletin and return to the church foyer table this week, or next Sunday December 11th. A selection of Christmas Cards will be available in the Foyer for you to fill out with a personal message for the recipient!
Suggested donation: $10 per telegram
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB CHRISTMAS
If you would like to volunteer to help area youth do some Christmas shopping for their parents at the Boys and Girls Club, please call the church office or sign the volunteer sheet this week before or after worship. The “store” will be open December 12-15 from 4-7 pm. You may also contribute by supplying gifts for them to buy. Youth earn “Santa Bucks” by participating in programs throughout the year. Your gifts are tax-deductible. Hope to see you there.
Angel Tree
If you would like to be a part of Angel Tree this year, here is your opportunity. Your generosity will have double the impact. Each $12.58 gift you send will deliver the Gospel and a gift on behalf of an incarcerated parent to not one but TWO children in need! Heal the hearts of hurting children today. Please don’t let any child feel forgotten this season. This is your chance to deliver God’s love to a lonely child. We need your prayers and support to share Jesus with every hurting little heart. Will you remember a prisoner’s child with your gift today? Make an eternal difference in the life of a little girl or boy and open their eyes and heart to the best Christmas miracle of all – the birth of Jesus Christ! To donate click on the following link:
https://www.angeltree.org/at-appeal-donation?dc=11-11-29_AT-9-CTL
PRAYING FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH:
WASHINGTON, DC: PETITIONS DELIVERED
A team from The Voice of the Martyrs traveled to Washington, D.C., in November to make the first delivery of Call For Mercy petitions to the Pakistani Embassy. The team received a courteous response from Pakistani Embassy personnel, who accepted the more than 400,000 signatures that had been collected at that time, including the initial 150,000 from Christians inside Pakistan.
“It’s hard to know what to expect when you call an embassy and tell them you have petitions like that to deliver,” said Todd Nettleton, VOM’s Director of Media Development and a part of the delivery team. “I wasn’t sure if we’d end up with a warm welcome or a message not to come. Thankfully, the Lord blessed us with favor and they welcomed us.”
The Pakistani Embassy representative who deals with human rights issues met with us and thanked the VOM team for interest in Asia’s case. She reminded the team that the legal process in Asia’s case is still going forward. The appeal of her death sentence is currently before the High Court, and if it fails there, it could be appealed further to the Supreme Court, the final judicial authority in Pakistan. Even if it fails there, a presidential pardon is possible, the embassy representative said.
“The Embassy and the Pakistani government want us to be patient, to let their legal system do its job,” said Nettleton. “But while we are waiting, Asia Bibi is sitting in a jail cell, separated from her husband and her daughters. We are calling for mercy on this family now. Asia and her family shouldn’t have to wait any longer.”
The Voice of the Martyrs is committed to continuing the Call For Mercy campaign, in cooperation with Pakistani Christians who began the campaign, until Asia Bibi is released from prison. You can still sign the petition at www.CallForMercy.com. Please encourage your Christian friends to add their voices to this important effort.
Posted: November 17, 2011
THIS WEEK’S FRIENDLY REMINDER
Email addresses occasionally disappear from our bulk email lists. If you stop receiving the e-newsletter, the weekly prayer list and/or prayer requests, please contact the church office.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
December
1 Anna Golden
2 Winter Nottingham
3 Jean Azbell
3 Jim Bumbalough
3 Dick Wilcox