December, 07

I hope and pray your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Ronna and I enjoyed our time with our families.  We all have so much for which to be thankful.  If you are like me, I sometimes forget to thank God for all that He has done.

Ronna and I want to thank you for your generous gift of love during our Thanksgiving Celebration.  We are so blessed to be able to serve with you at EMBC.  We love you all!

Thanks to everyone who helped with our float in the Maiden Christmas parade!  It was so much fun.  Special thanks go to Rodney Beal for driving the float and to David Martin for the use of his trailer.

With Christmas approaching, there are several activities I would like for you to keep in mind.  The Thru-the-Roof Student Ministry progressive dinner is coming up.  If you would like to help by hosting a portion of the meal, please contact me.  The progressive dinner will be on December 14. 

Our teenagers will be going to Gatlinburg December 28-30.  We will be attending the X-Treme Conference and ask for your prayers.  This is going to be an awesome time of renewal and worship as we approach the New Year.  If your teenager is going on to Gatlinburg, please make plans to attend the parent meeting on December 16.  This meeting is mandatory for all parents of teenagers going to Gatlinburg.  We will meet at 5:00 in the Youth Room.

I love the Christmas season.  I love the season of giving and the spirit of Christmas.  This is a time for reflection and a time to ponder the important things in life.  However, like so many other times, our vision can become blurred because of the voices around us. The true meaning of Christmas is then overlooked; the birth of the King of the Universe! 

When reading the telling of the birth and infancy of Christ, Matthew includes the coming of the Magi.  These men were of noble status and possessed great wealth.  However, they were aware of the presence in which they stood.  This presence, and their awareness to it, prompted the response of worship.  Bowing and kneeling before an infant.  What irony.  What beauty.  Amid the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, I pray you and your family have the opportunity to bow humbly before the King of Kings.  His birth paved the way to the redemption of all mankind.  This gives us reason to shout for joy!

Shouting Joyfully….

Andrew