Grace Notes

Synod Authorized Minister - Arlin Scott

For the week ending December 14, 2024

Grace Notes

Friday Devotional:

Isaiah 12:2-6

By this time in the season of Advent, Christmas gifts are on the minds of many. As we create and check off lists for our loved ones, I wonder... Have we put God on our lists? What does God want for Christmas?

Isaiah gives us a clue about what God desires, not just at Christmas but every day: "Give thanks to the Lord, call on [God's] name." God wants our gratitude and praise, our prayer and relationship. God wants us to notice and be grateful for both tiny and huge ways the Holy One is always "great in [our] midst" (v.6) and caring for us.

What happens when we give thanks and praise to God? According to Isaiah, we grow in trust instead of fear (v.2), we experience joy in knowing God as the wellspring of life and salvation (v.3), and we make God's goodness known. When we give God the gift God asks for-thanks and praise-we ourselves receive, and share with others, reminders of God's loving presence.

Generous God, may we respond to your gifts with thanks, and joyfully share your bountiful love. Amen.

An excerpt from Christ in Our Home

If you would like a copy of Christ in Our Home

please contact the church office: at 805-983-0612

Click here to view this Saturday's bulletin

Update: No Stretch & Prayer on Monday, December 23rd.

December Birthdays

✝Jayne Pompey recovering from surgery; Bob was diagnosed with a tumor asking for prayers for peace. (Donna's friend); Debi Owens is battling cancer (Robin F. friend); Ramona Ammons is recovering (a longtime friend of Donna T); Joe was diagnosed with Dementia and Heart problems (Donna’s brother-in-law); Toni was diagnosed with Dementia (Donna’s sister);

✝ For peace in war-ravaged places; public servants that they work for the good of all people; those seeking employment, adequate housing, and other important needs.

† We are restarting our prayer list each quarter. This helps us to remove prayer concerns that are no longer needed.

If you want to add a name to our prayer list, please contact the church office or

Synod Authorized Minister - Arlin Scott

For any questions:

(805) 983-0612 | secretary@lcoor.org

805-983-0612 | secretary@lcoor.org | lcoor.org