From the Organist's Chamber

On Sunday Nov. 23rd, the sanctuary choir sang a quaint piece entitled, “Reap What You Sow” by Pepper Choplin. The opening lyrics are:

What you grow with love

will surely bloom,

and the fruit of the Spirit

will come back to you.

You will sow what you reap,

reap what you sow.

What you plant in the kingdom

will surely grow.

In addition to my love of speaking French, my other hobby is doing yard work. Everything is blooming and flourishing, especially following the rains. The lyrics of this song encouraged me to make sure to take some time to trim my palo verdes, transplant some aloes (they have gone berserk!), and even just rake the rocks in my yard. I love how every element of our church services can serve as some inspiration for how to lead our lives. God is good!

Dr. Jeremy Peterman

Organist and Handbell Director

LA CASA | WOMEN

The LORD made the first move toward healing humanity’s isolation through relationship when He commanded Moses to receive the covenant commandments for HIS people. God preempted the commands and addressed what they needed most; they needed HIM!

‘And God spoke all these words: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery…” Exodus 20:1-2

(underlined emphasis is mine)

Before ever issuing the ‘tender’ commandments, He stated that He was LORD and that He was their God; and He is OUR God, today. In stark contrast to the many gods of the age, the LORD God was the only True, personal God and made sure that this actuality prefaced all other stipulations. Relationship is what influences pure desire to live within the loving boundaries as God’s kids. Apart from relationship, rules are, well, ‘just impersonal, rules’…

And the season of Advent, apart from real relationship with Jesus, is, well, just another season! It is true ~ personal relationship with Jesus changes everything. John the Baptist knew.

Pause for a moment. Close your eyes and ask the LORD to please reveal the areas of your life where other lords reign. Ask Him to search YOUR heart. When our hearts become crowded with competing objects of worship we do not intentionally take time to recognize the slavery of such. Confessing and repenting make possible the actual preparing Him room in your hearts during Advent. I want this for you. I want this for me. And for such I pray!

Don’t miss out on registering for our Women’s Refresh Conference here ~ January 23/24. Our best year ahead in 2026 begins IN RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS!

With love, Paula

Paula Webb

Director of Women's Ministry

This time of year always brings a little laughter as kids joyfully sing about “sleeping in heavenly peas” or “letting every heart repair a broom.” Even when the lyrics get a little mixed up, one thing is always crystal clear to them: Christmas is a celebration!

What a privilege we have ~ whether it’s our fourth time teaching the story or our twenty-fourth...to explain why we celebrate. For many of our kids, the story feels familiar, but the truth behind it is still taking root. The birth of Jesus isn’t just a moment in history; it’s the moment that changes everything for us today.

Long before Mary heard from the angel or the shepherds saw the sky light up with song, God had a plan. Through prophets like Isaiah and Micah, God whispered hope into dark seasons. He promised a Savior, and, at just the right time, He fulfilled every single word. Mary, the shepherds, and even the wise men each remind us that God’s story is intentional, perfect, and overflowing with joy.

God didn’t need news outlets or social media to share the announcement. He used angels, stars and ordinary people to carry extraordinary news. Today, He uses us. We get to shout the good news through our teaching, loving, serving, and celebrating with the next generation.

This month, as we dive into “Extra! Extra! Celebrate the Good News of Jesus’ Birth,” may we remember:

• The story is ancient, but the hope is brand new every time a child hears it.
• The Savior was born then but He is transforming lives now.

WE are invited to join the celebration.

Staci Medina

Director of Children's Ministry



I hope the remainder of 2025; leading up to Christmas is a joyful and healthy season.

As I started writing the word “hope,” I realized people hope for many things and some people wish for a lot.

What is the difference? I recently defined the word “Hope” to the youth group like this; Hope is wanting something to happen and then participating in the process.

Wishing on the other hand is like wishing for something for Christmas. On Christmas morning, you open a gift that you wished for and it is there or it is not.

You probably did not have any participation is making that wish come true.

Hope requires action. Be strong, take courage, wait patiently, and be joyful in hope, as encouraged by scriptures.

"Be strong and take heart,

    all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24

I would like to remind us all of the ultimate hope.

“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’” (Jeremiah 33:14–16 NIV)

The ultimate hope is in the eternal life promised and it is promised because of Jesus, the baby whose birth we will celebrate in a few short weeks.

My hope is we all take this promise into the new year, remember what source the promise comes from, our Heavenly Father, and use it as an anchor for our souls, letting it provide strength through difficult times or for praising God during great times.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!



Suzan Scudder

Director of Youth Ministry



“WE CANNOT DIRECT THE WIND, BUT WE CAN ADJUST OUR SAILS”

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, “If I could only see the world, I would marry you.”

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her, “Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?” The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn’t expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: “Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine."

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life is a gift.

• Today before you say an unkind word, think of someone who cannot speak.
• Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who is crying out for a companion.
• Today before you complain about life, think of someone who went too early to heaven.
• When you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
• And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down, put a smile on your face and think: “I’m alive and still around.”

Life is a gift.

Blessings...

Jean Knowling, R.N.

Parish Nurse