The Messenger - December 9, 2011 - "Are You Having Fun Yet?"

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"Are You Having Fun Yet?"

Soon, we will be starting the third week of Advent, and our church has organized several ways for you to celebrate this week:

• At 5 p.m. this Sunday, December 11, the combined children's choirs will present "Candy Cane Lane," a charming confection of songs and stories that help us see Christmas through our children's eyes. This program will be held in our sanctuary

• At 7 p.m. on Monday, December 12, several members of our church will attend the Teen Challenge Christmas Dinner in Lomita. A great meal will be followed by several inspiration songs and stories from young people who have been through this program. Our church has sponsored Teen Challenge for decades, and you can still attend this special program by calling Maureen Bradford (310-833-7836) ASAP.

• At 6 pm. next Saturday, December 17, the Outriggers will hold their annual Christmas "Cruise", complete with Christmas Food and Carols, in the MacCormick Room. Just call your own "watch" captain or Keith Headley (310-831-2015) to participate.

• At 9:30 a.m. next Sunday, December 18, the Chancel Choir will present an ebullient Christmas Cantata entitled "A Child is Born to Save Us." Most scholars now think this work was composed by Johann Kuhnau, Johannes Bach's predecessor in Leipzig, but it has long been cataloged with Bach's work, and it certainly proclaims a great sense of Christmas joy.

Finally, if you are one of the several million people who sometimes struggle to get "into" the Christmas spirit, we also have good news for you! During morning worship this Sunday, December 11, I'll preach about an archetypal Christmas crank. Some words from this acerbic character make Ebenezer Scrooge sound kind, and some of his actions would probably bring joy to the "Grinch." Yet he has long been celebrated as a great leader of our faith. His name is John the Baptist, and his outspoken critique of unscrupulous wealth and power actually made him a hero in his day.

John's still a hero to many plain-spoken people, because his message was so practical and so clear. Moreover, Scripture says John was the "forerunner" of Jesus Christ, our Lord. That's why Christians have long studied him during Advent. Personally, I've always thought that the tone of John's message lent a rather strange sound to this Season. But, the older I get, the more I like strange sounds. And it may be good to honor "straight talkers" even in a season of whimsy. So, we'll study John's words this Sunday.

Who knows? It might be even be fun!

I'll see you in church!

Neal

Winter Movie Nights:  This year we will be having our famous movie nights for our youth on December 23^rd and December 28^th from 6:30pm to 10:00pm.  Popcorn and sodas will be provided.  Movies are TBD.  Friends are welcome to join in on the fun!

LAST FEW WEEKS TO SIGN-UP FOR WINTER CAMP

Winter Camp:  Pondo’s Christian Camp - January 13-15, 2012.  Cost for the camp is $164 plus extra for skiing or snowboarding.  A $50 deposit will hold a spot for you.  Deposits are due now.

#### YOUTH FUNDRAISER PROJECTS ####

Golden State Pops:  The youth will be selling refreshments before and at intermission of the concerts being performed by the Golden State Pops Ensemble at our church. Date for the next concert is January 22, 2012 from 1:30pm to 5:30pm.  If you would like to help with this fundraiser, please see Randi or Todd.

Recycling drive for youth:  We will be recycling #1 plastic bottles and aluminum cans.  If you would like us to pick them up at your house simply call Todd.

Student Ministries Staff

Randi Bender & Todd Walter

Email:  rdbender44@aol.com

Tel: (310) 832-9717 (home) (310) 562-9243 (cell)