St. Paul's Church

December 20, 2013 

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." 

 (Luke 2:10-11, King James Version)

Whenever I hear the nativity story read in the King James Version, I always remember Linus reading it in "A Charlie Brown Christmas."  I've seen the show a hundred times and it never gets old.  Charlie Brown dissolves in despair after his dog, sister, and the actors in the Christmas play are all preoccupied with consumerism, and Charlie searches for the true meaning of Christmas.

And in comes Linus to save the day.  Being a one-time finger-sucking-blanket-toter myself, I always identified closely with Linus.  He takes center stage and says "I'll tell you what Christmas is really about Charlie Brown..."  And then he proceeds to recite Luke Chapter 2 from memory.  I always remember the part where Linus says with great animation and eyes as big as saucers, "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid..." (Luke 2:9) 

And here I am, all of these years later, getting a lump in my throat just thinking about it.  I'm blown away by the fact that God would humble himself to send his son into our dark and dangerous world.  C.S. Lewis called it "the daring invasion behind enemy lines."  

I'm blown away by the beauty and the simple majesty of it all.  The rough-hewn shepherds, looking slack-jawed into that cobalt sky filled with a multitude of the heavenly host.  I'm blown away by the newborn Jesus, the only hope of the world, being laid to rest in a hay-filled feeding trough.  "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

I pray that you, your family and loved ones have the opportunity in the coming days to pause and to ponder the greatest gift of all.

Come, let us adore Him!

Pr. Jon 

Hear Linus' Christmas story at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CojUP5nRidA

A Skimmer's Christmas

'Twas just two weeks until Christmas and so much to get done,

But the Skimmers just wanted to have some holiday fun.

Mrs. Hanson said "Wait!"  "This is a time to give back."

"Don't you remember our teachings about helping those who lack."

Jesus came to serve and an example He did set

To even help those we haven't yet met.

So before we ate dinner the gift tags were made.

Then we gobbled up the pizza that Domino's made.

We then settled in to wrapping up all of the gifts

From the Homeless Family Center's lists.

When the presents were all wrapped and tied with a bow

We turned our attention to cookies that were white as snow.

With icing in colors of red, white and green

And with more sprinkles than I have ever seen,

The cookies were turned into Christmas delights

They truly were an awesome sight.

As the evening wore down and the time grew short

We opened our Bibles to read a report.

In Luke chapter two we learned of His birth

And really found out what this season was worth.

With Merry Christmases said and the evening at an end

The children filed out with a sense of a time well spent

As they exited the room I heard one little girl say,

"It sure makes me feel good to help others this way."

Merry Christmas to all and a Blessed New Year!

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Stocking Ministry

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's "Stocking Ministry."  A car load of gifts were delivered to the Samaritan Center for Crystal and her four children and to Joe and his daughter Elizabeth.  Another trunk full of gifts was delivered to the Homeless Family Center for Arabia and her two young children.  Thanks to your generosity these three families will truly enjoy a very Merry Christmas!

       

 

             Simple Suppers            

As a way to get better acquainted with our St. Paul's neighbors, we will be starting "Simple Suppers" in January or February 2014.

The groups will consist of 6-8 members who will meet once a month for 3-4 months to share a simple meal and conversation.  Everyone who participates will take a turn hosting a meal.  Most people like to meet in their homes, but, if this is not convenient, an alternative would be to host a picnic at one of the Oceanside parks.  These do not have to be elaborate affairs.  Soup and Sandwiches or Hamburgers on the grill are a great way to entertain.

Whether you are single or a couple, we hope you will want to join a group.  If those that participate enjoy the experience and want to continue, we will make new groups starting Summer 2014.  This gives a little wiggle room if your group has to miss a month.

If you are interested, please email us at [email protected] with your name, address, telephone number and, if you are seasonal, the months you are in Vero.

We will notify you as soon as the groups are formed.

BIRTHDAYS 

06  Jennifer Robbins

08  Anthony Sapienza

09  Wyatt Falardeau

17  Dean Sparks

18  Jim Crockett

18  Greg Cook

24  Pam Proctor

27 Sally Wyer

27  Norma Ashburn

ANNIVERSARIES

 21  Jon & Marianne Day

23  Cliff & Julie Norris

(Please call the church office if your birth date or