Are you a list maker? Do you have written lists stuck on your frig? Do you have lists you wrote last year hiding somewhere in your billfold or purse? Do you keep your lists on your iPhone?
What kind of lists do you keep, grocery, to-do, reading, or Christmas? Some people even keep lists of their lists. And there are those who make a “bucket” list. You know, a list of those things they’d like to do before they kick the “bucket.”
Lists are just itemized things we all think we need or want and don’t want to forget; those things we think are important enough to write down. And, for me at least, writing them down helps them “stick” in my brain.
So, in this Season of Advent, waiting for the coming Christ, what kind of lists are you writing? What vitally important tasks are your recording on your list? A better question is, “What should be on our lists?”
All the news reports seem to say that money or the economy is what’s important to the majority of the world’s people. There’s a whole lot of unrest in the world because of the current economic conditions. And that’s what most of the presidential candidates are focusing on. But is money important enough to make it on our list?
What about what Jesus asked his apostles to do, “make disciples of all the nations?” What about caring for the homeless, the poor, the sick, and those in prison? Are any of these on our lists? Don’t you think they should be?
The last few weeks the lectionary lessons have been about the coming of Jesus again. About being prepared, being watchful, being ready. Are we ready? Have we checked off all the tasks on Jesus’ list?
Friends, Paul told the Corinthians to stand firm. God is faithful. Jesus is coming. Look at your list again. Are the really important items listed there, loving God and loving (caring) for our neighbors?
Friends, this is important stuff. Check your list. Rewrite it if you must but don’t put it off. And remember God loves you and so do I.
God’s grace and peace be with you all this Advent Season,
Pastor David
Sunday School Christmas Program
The annual Sunday School Christmas program will be December 18th during worship at 9:00 AM. The title of this year’s program is “It’s A Jingle Out There”. Come and enjoy watching our youth (and adults) perform and sing.
Food Pantry
Food pantry needs for December are: toilet paper, elbow macaroni, egg noodles, cereal, toothpaste and brushes, shampoo, bar soap, chili, pork-n-beans and soup.
Don’t forget to pray today…God didn’t forget to wake you up.
GOOD GUYS FOOD BASKETS
The Food Pantry needs names, addresses, phone #’s & number of people in the family by Dec. 6th for food boxes for people in need. The boxes will need to be picked up by the client on Dec. 17th between 9-10AM at our church. Help is always needed to fill the boxes. Meet at the United Church in Avoca at 7:30 AM on Dec. 17th if you can help.
Don’t look back – you’re not going that way!
Thank-you
Thank-you to EVERYONE for making the Fall Supper/Bazaar a success. Megan (McDermott) Andersen was the winner of the quilt raffle and Cindy Jensen was the winner of the Casey’s gift card. Over three hundred people were served at the supper.
Thank-you to Sunday School teachers Michelle Mertz and Michelle Tooley (I apologize
for not including you last month).
UNICEF
Our church sponsored UNICEF this year. Marye Bierbaum organized it and Michelle Mertz, Pastor David, Bailey Nielsen, Katelyn Tooley and Jim McDermott helped. The Youth Group bought the pizzas to enjoy after the young people finished.
More Youth Group Happenings – The youth group met November 20th. Robyn Tooley
brought lasagna, Michelle Mertz brought dessert and Jim McDermott brought bread and salad. The money collected in the big water bottle was counted ($258.) and plans were made on how to use it. They started planning to do the 30-Hour Famine again in the spring. The next meeting will be Dec. 11th at 6 PM with everyone to bring snacks.
You’d Better Not Pout!
Golden Oldies
No Golden Oldies in December or January. February’s meal will be at St. Mary’s.
What is missing from Ch ch?
UR
Congratulations
Congratulations to Al and Dixie Schirm on the birth of their great-grandson Kasen Tyler Krummel. Kasen is the son of Jordan and Mindy (Schirm) Krummel and the grandson of Neal and Pam Schirm.
Congratulations to Dave and Mary Ellen Woltmann on the birth of their great-granddaughter Brynn. Brynn’s great-great grandmother is Betty Griffith of Walnut. Brynn’s parents are Darrin and Meggie Woltmnn of Sycamore, IL. Brynn’s grandparents are Mike and Gayle Woltmann of Kingston, IL.
Congratulations to Sam and Brinda Shirley on the birth of their granddaughter Briley.
Briley’s great-grandmother is Barb Eslick. Briley’s parents are Greg and Brandi Wood.
Congratulations to John, Angie and Emily Mitchell on the arrival of their daughter (and sister) Erica LeeAnn, born November 25th.
I’ve learned so much from my mistakes…I’m thinking of making a few more.
Walnut’s Angel Tree
Friends, there is an Angel Tree located in the Walnut Public Library where you will find “Angels” decorating a Christmas tree. These “Angels” have gift suggestions written on them for special people in the community who will not be able to experience Christmas like the rest of us without the help of Walnut’s Angels. If you are able and would like to make someone else’s Christmas something special please stop in and pick and “Angel” from the Angel Tree and buy the gift noted on the “Angel.” Then return the numbered item with the “Angel” to the Walnut Communications office in Walnut by December 13th.
Thank you for thinking of others this Christmas season. May God bless you and yours as you have helped to bless others.
Margo Matthies & Linda Ploen
God wants full custody…Not just weekend visits.
POINSETTIAS
Poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary in memory of family and friends who have passed on. Please let me know who your poinsettia is in memory of.
January Ushers and Communion Servers
Ushers: Dennis Jensen, Dustin Jensen, Allan & Shannon Griffith Communion Servers: Dennis Jensen-chm., Allan Sievers, Linda Ploen, Linda Woltmann. December ushers and communion servers are at bottom of calendar.
Saving the Farmer
One Sunday a farmer went to church. When he entered, he saw that he and the preacher were the only ones present. The preacher
asked the farmer if he wanted him to go ahead and preach. The farmer said, “I’m not too smart, but if I went to feed my cattle
and only one showed up, I’d feed him.” So the minister began his sermon. One hour passed, then two, then three hours. The preacher
finally finished and came down to ask the farmer how he liked the sermon. The farmer answered slowly, “Well, I’m not very smart,
but if I went to feed my cattle and only one showed up, I sure wouldn’t feed him all the hay.”
Session Minutes
November 8, 2011
The session of Walnut First Presbyterian Church met in regular session on November 8 at 7 p.m. in the Sunday School south annex. Those in attendance were: Dennis Jensen, Robin Tooley, Bonnie Holtz, Linda Krueger, Jim Tooley, Linda Ploen and Jim McDermott. Absent were: Jack Ploen, Margo Matthies and Ty Johnk.
Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with a reflection from “Prayers From the Heart” by Richard Foster. Scripture was Isaiah 55:8-12 and 2 Peter 3:9.
The minutes of the October meeting were read and approved.
The treasure’s report was approved as given.
Pastor David’s report was given and approved.
Clerk Linda Ploen reported that both of our church books have been reviewed and audited and we passed. There were no deaths or changes in membership.
Stewardship and Mission
Linda Krueger reported that the stewardship letters had been sent out and dedication was November 6th. The Christmas Joy offering will begin on November 27th and we will receive it on December 18th. David also mentioned that there are many mission opportunities at Open Door Mission. Perhaps we could help with something.
Christian Education
Robin reported that Val Sievers and Karley Helms are eligible for their 2nd year scholarship and Megan Ehlers for her 1st year. She also stated that there will be 30 children and adults in the Christmas program which will be during church service on December 18th. We will try to have a youth group meeting on Sunday November 20th at 6:00 p.m. The youth raised $208.50 during the UNICEF drive. David also asked for permission for Marye Bierbaum to do the 30 Hour Famine again this year. It was so approved.
Worship
Communion was served to 5 residents at Peace Haven on November 6th. Bonnie Holtz was the serving elder. Our first Saturday night service went well. Our November service will be November 26th at 5:30. We will try to set the 4th Saturday of the month for our Saturday services. The December service falls on Christmas Eve so we will have that service at 10:00 p.m. It was moved and 2nd to have no service on Sunday, December 25th. Motion carried. There will be a joint Thanksgiving service with Avoca and Walnut churches on November 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at United Church of Avoca.
Finance and Property
Jim Tooley reported that Justen had repaired our front door, but we need a new one. After discussion it was decided to purchase a metal door with a handicap threshold at a cost of $1,500 installed. It was moved and 2nd to have Jim Tooley purchase the door. Motion carried. He also reported that our Edward Jones account has gone up. David reported that our computer network has been secured. We also voted to get the media shout upgrade for our video system. Next on the agenda was the 2012 budget. After changes and review, it was moved and 2nd to approve the budget. Motion carried.
Personnel
David will give each elder a pastor evaluation sheet next month.
New Business
Jim McDermott asked if we need to make a long term plan to keep improving our church and preparing for the future. We need to think about this.
The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Next meeting will be December 13th, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Clerk of Session
Linda Ploen
Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial.
"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."
VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Advent Hands-Catherine Alder
I see the hands of Joseph. Back and forth along bare wood they move. There is worry in those working hands, sorting out confusing thoughts with every stroke. “How can this be, my beautiful Mary now with child?” Rough with deep splinters, these hands, small, painful splinters like tiny crosses embedded deeply in this choice to stay with her. He could have closed his hands to her, said, “No” and let her go to stoning. But, dear Joseph opened both his heart and hands to this mother and her child. Preparing in these days before with working hands and wood pressed tight between them. It is these rough hands that will open and be the first to hold the Child.
I see the hands of John, worn from desert raging storms and plucking locusts from sand ripped rocks beneath the remnant of a Bethlehem star. A howling wind like some lost wolf cries out beneath the moon, or was that John? This loneliness, enough to make a grown man mad. He’s waiting for this, God’s whisper. “Go now. He is coming. You have prepared your hands enough. Go. He needs your servant hands, your cupping hands to lift the water, and place his feet upon the path to service and to death. Go now, John, and open your hands to him. It is time.”
I see a fist held tight and fingers blanched to white. Prying is no easy task. These fingers find a way of pulling back to old positions, protecting all that was and is. Blanched to white. No openness. All fright. But then the Spirit comes. A holy Christmas dance begins and blows between the twisted paths. This fist opens slowly, gently, beautifully, the twisted fingers letting go. Their rock-solid place in line has eased. And one by one the fingers lift, True color is returned, And through the deepest of mysteries, The holiest of holies, O longing of longings Beyond all human imagining this fist, as if awakened from Lazarus’ cold stone dream reaches out to hold the tiny newborn hand of God.
