In life there seems to by cycle.  As a kid you are focused on the gifts you will get to Christmas, dreaming and hoping that certain things will be waiting for you under the tree.  As a young adult you continue to accumulate things, part of fulfilling that American Dream, to own a home and fill it with stuff.  Then there comes a point where you start looking forward to getting rid of a lot of that stuff.  Kids start living their own life and you mourn that they are moving on but rejoice that their stuff leaves the house.  This process continues until the day we die and our loved ones discern what has value of memory to keep and what can be sold or given away, but ultimately it all goes away.

This Christmas I want to encourage everyone young and old to consider how you will give yourself to others and to God's work.  We all have been blessed with so much to give, I'm not talking about the stuff we have acquired.  We have been given time, gifts, opportunities for experience to share with each other. What gift of yourself will you give to your kids this Christmas?  It is so much more important than what you might provide under the tree.  Do something special together, it doesn't have to cost of money just be together; play games, skate the lake, do Christmas eve worship as a family.

What gift of yourself will you give your church?  Which talents and how much time have you been hording to yourself?  Make a commitment in your heart to be more involved and present this coming year in the worship, fellowship, and work of your church. What gift of yourself will you give your community and world?  I know that many of our members give passionately and generously of themselves to many things.  Maybe you continue in those meaningful works, or maybe you take a step out and do something entirely new that will bring purpose and meaning to your live and the lives of others.

The greatest gift is not what we get, but what we give.  The example is so present in our God.  God is the ultimate example of giving.  God gives us more than we deserve.  God went so far as to even give us His own Son!  This was not with any expectation of getting something in return but out of complete love.  May we learn from this lesson and do the same; giving our lives for the sake of something greater.  Give yourself away this Christmas season!

Advent is a season of anticipation of Christ's coming into the world, and as Christians, we think about this in three ways - past, present, and future.  We celebrate the fact that more than two thousand years ago Jesus came into the world as an infant - the Son of God and our Savior.  This was a miraculous event that fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament.  In the present, we worship Him as He works in our lives every day, bringing comfort, healing, joy, and abundant blessings.  And we prepare for that glorious day in the future when He will return to claim us as His own.

As we prepare for this busy season ahead, may we keep the true meaning of Advent in our hearts and minds.  It is a joyous time of hope, love, and peace.

ADVENT WREATH
The Advent wreath is a powerful reminder for Christians.  Its circular shape made of evergreen branches symbolizes the eternity of God.  The candles represent each aspect of our spiritual preparation for the coming of our Lord, and the white candle at the center reminds us that Christ is the light of the world.  Each Sunday in Advent, one candle is lit as we study and reflect upon related scriptures and devotions.

Second Sunday of Advent, December 4th 
The second candle on the Advent wreath is the Bethlehem candle.  This candle reminds us that the prophecies declared that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem and of the lineage of David.

Third Sunday of Advent, December 11th
The third candle is the Shepherd's candle to remind us that it was to poor shepherds that the angels first shared the joyous news of Jesus' birth.

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 18th
The fourth candle is the Angel's candle, which helps us to remember how angels watched over Jesus throughout His life, and angels watch over us today.

ADVENT EVENTS AT LCC

Saturday, December 10th
Children's Program rehearsal
* All day rehearsal with lunch provided
* Parents have the day to relax, shop, etc.

Sunday, December 11th
Both Services    Children's Program

12:30 PM    Caroling at Life Care and Elk Run assisted living facilities
Volunteers are requested for:
* Before 12/11 - assembling small gift bags of cookies and cards for the residents
* We would love to involve our youth in this project
* On 12/11 - playing guitar and participating in caroling

Christmas Services
Christmas Eve
4:00 PM  and 6:30 PM   
* Pre-service music before both services
* Please contact Patrick Stone if you would like to perform a piece (instrumental or vocal)
* Communion will be served at both services
* Choir will sing at the 4:00 PM service

Christmas Day Service
10:30 AM    One service only