The Messenger - December 24, 2010 - The Quiet Call of Christmas

Pastor's Corner

"The Quiet Call of Christmas"

And ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing:
O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing.
("It Came Upon a Midnight Clear", v. 4)

By the 24th of December, most of us ready for Christmas. Some years, we come bouncing to the manger--full of life and joy. The world is our "oyster," and everything has gone our way. In other years, we come crawling to the manger--physically or emotionally exhausted. We've just finished a tough season of life, or we anticipate hard days ahead. But regardless of the circumstance, we come. We look forward to that manger and the gentle love God brings us there.

This year, you will have 2 chances to meet Christ "in the manger" here at First Presbyterian Church. The first chance will occur at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, when every child in our community is invited to participate in a "Walk on Children's Pageant" during worship. We will sing the great old carols, we will see the great old story, and we will experience the wonder of Christmas through the face of each young child. We will also hear a wonderful anthem from our children's choirs.

The second chance will occur at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, when the Sonlight Singers join our Chancel Choir to Present a Festival of Lessons and Carols. This is a more "grown up" service that meets a different need. We will hear some gorgeous arrangements of time-honored classics, we will sing many favorite carols, and we will hear the good news proclaimed afresh. Then, we will close the service in candlelight, while sharing the "holy hush" of "Silent Night."

I hope that you can join us for one or both of these services, and I hope you'll bring a friend. Regardless of our circumstances, everyone needs the hope that Christmas brings.

I'll see you in church!

Editor's Corner

Dear all,

First of all, I would like to apologize for the late delivery of The Messenger. I was so into packing and stuffing that I totally lost track of time. Anyway, our departure date is set. With God's blessing we're flying out on January 20th to Ho Chi Minh city. With that have been said, next week will be the last newsletter you will receive from me that way I can concentrate on getting more "stuff" done.

It has been a great pleasure and honor to be given a chance to serve as your editor. I have learned so many new things and met so many new friends that are so dear to me and my family. My special thanks to Pastor Neal & Kim Neuenschwander, Keith & Sue Headley, Rupert & Betty Loyd, John & Ann Norton, Emily Anderson, Margaret Campbell, Verabelle Baxter and of course my small group family, Corrine & Rick Iwai (the host with the mostest), Erik Larson, Dotty Hill, Pat Miller, Andrea Brown, Andrew Brabbee and many many more! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Until next time!

      Yesi

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=A92010 - First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro