SERMON  “Waiting for God” Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

Each of these scriptures share a picture of waiting for God.  Isaiah is waiting for God to turn war into peace.  Not unlike us as we wait to see if peace might come out of Monday’s Annapolis Summit.  Will God take hold of the leaders of the U.S., Israel and Palestine and drive them to turn the swords into plowshares?  The Message translates Isaiah 2:4 this way.  “They’ll turn their swords into shovels, their spears into hoes.”  We wait for God’s peace in Matthew.  Jesus shares a picture of waiting for his return.  We wait and keep doing good as we wait for him to set all things right.  Paul in Romans appears to interpret Jesus’ parable.  He describes activities that we are not to do as we wait on God.  Then he invites us to “clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” as we wait.  I am not very good at waiting for God when I really need him.  Are you?  What can these verses teach us about waiting faithfully?

 

 “DECK THE HALLS” CHRISTMAS PARTY  Dec. 2nd  4 – 7:30 PM

Come and join us for fun and fellowship with your church family!  Kids will make decorations in Journeyland, while the rest of us will decorate the sanctuary.  We will have dinner in Fellowship Hall at 5:30 p.m., followed by some great carol singing.  Tickets are $4 per person or $12 for a family of 4 or more.  Child care will be available.  Attention parents and grandparents!  Santa will be available for a photo opportunity.  Bring your own cameras and sweet children! Some holly needed!  Will anyone who has a holly bush with berries please contact Bob Peggs at 425-641-4016 or peggs@earthlink.com.  We are in need of some for our Christmas decorating.

 

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT  Dec. 9th

The children have been practicing hard and to make this year’s Pageant successful we will have two rehearsals:

Dec. 2nd after children’s choir for all children with speaking parts – narrators too!

Dec. 8th @ 10:00 a.m. – full dress rehearsal

Questions?  Kari Tumbleson 425-820-5045 or kari@tumbleson.com or Lori Leadley 425-744-4582 or lorileadley@hotmail.com.

 

THE GOLDEN COMPASS  - Alert!

As your Designated Associate Pastor over children’s ministries, I wanted to alert the adults in our congregation about a new movie that will be coming out next week – The Golden Compass.  I have read a number of things about this movie that I find disturbing.  See the link below for one such example.  I don’t plan on becoming a movie critic, but feel compelled to express my grave concern over this movie in the hopes that if you are thinking of taking your children or grandchildren to see this movie you will first look into the implications.  The books upon which this movie is based are anti-Christian and have “animal spirits” that are also known as daemons attached to people.  I find this promotion of what seems to be animal spirit guides to be very disturbing for our children, along with the implication that organized religion needs to die.  If you have any questions, I’ll be back from vacation this weekend.  Blessings to you, Pastor Vonna

 

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/december/12.36.html

CALENDAR EVENTS

 

Wednesday, Nov 28

6:30 p.m.                      High School Youth Eastside Gathering

7:00 p.m.                      E&M and Worship Committees

7:15 p.m.                      MIS Committee

 

Thursday, Nov 29

2:00 p.m.                      SJPM Committee

7:00 p.m.                      Youth Committee

7:30 p.m.                      Chancel Choir Practice 

 

Friday, Nov 30

 

Saturday, Dec 1

1:00 p.m.                      LaVelle Thresher Memorial Service

 

Sunday, Dec 2            

8:45–11:30 a.m. Nursery/Toddler Care in Journeyland Bldg.

10:00 a.m.                     Worship/Communion Service

11:15 a.m.                     Children’s Choir/Coffee Hour

11:30 a.m.                     Middle School Youth Group

4:00 p.m.                      CHRISTMAS SOCIAL

5:00 p.m.                      Alpha Course Dinner

 

Monday, Dec 3

11:30 a.m.                     Kerygma Bible Study

5:30 p.m.                      Stephen Ministry

7:00 p.m.                      Praise Team Practice

 

Tuesday, Dec 4

7:00 a.m.                      Men’s Breakfast Bible Study

6:30 p.m.                      PW Board Meeting

7:00 p.m.                      Bible Study

7:15 p.m.                      Bell Choir