The Real Cost of Christmas

Wow!  Can you believe that Christmas is over already.  Time to prepare ourselves for the credit card bills in January.  Time to try to figure out how to pay for it all.  The financial costs of Christmas can be almost staggering. 

But Christmas isn't about the gifts.  Jesus didn't come to earth so we could exchange gifts.  Jesus came to earth so we could reconnect to a God that loves us.  What if we followed Jesus' example this year - what if we committed to reconnecting with a loved one who has become distant.

Our Christmas message looks at that subject.  How do we reconnect?  What might that cost us?

To read the message, click on the title below.

December 25 - The Real Cost of Christmas

Thanks for reading!

What Not to Miss this Christmas

It's Christmas Eve already!

Did you get done what you needed to get done?  Cards mailed?  Family and friends invited?  Presents all wrapped?  Dinner items for tomorrow's big dinner all purchased?  House clean?  Kids in bed?  There is so much to it, isn't there.

It seems that societies demands this time of year keep increasing.  There is more to it every year.  Have you ever felt that way?  Yet as we get busier and busier, something is missing.  do you feel that, too.

With all that there is, how do know what's most important.  How do we know what key message from Christmas is so important, we can't miss it?

At our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, I'll be sharing a message that looks at that very question.  If there so much that we can't possibly do it all, see it all, or understand it all, that what do we choose?  What part of the Christmas Story might really speak to us this year?

To read the message, click on the title below.

December 24 - What Not to Miss this Christmas

Thanks for reading.

Restore Us, O God Series

I've just noticed I've been remiss in giving you the copies of the sermon series for Advent.  This can such a busy time of year, and for me, it certainly was.

Our Advent Series is based on the Psalm readings for the weeks of Advent, and share the theme (which is the title of the series), Restore Us, O God.  Each week we looked at the themes from our lighting of the Advent Wreath:  Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

I have previously given you the first two messages in the series, here are links to the last two, if you are interested...  (just click on the title)

December 11 - Restore Us, O God:  Joy
December 18 - Restore Us, O God:  Love

Thanks for reading!

December 4 - Restore Us, O God: Peace

This weeks message continues our Advent Sermon Series on the four themes of the Advent Season:  Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.  Starting in Psalm 85, we look at peace.

We know what it is to be at peace, but how do we get there?  Is there a secret?  Can we find peace? 

If you would like to read the message, click on the link below:

Dec 4 - Restore Us, O God:  Peace

Thank you for reading!

Restore Us, O God: Hope

Last week's Sermon message was titled Restore Us, O God:  Hope.  It's the first of a four week series during the season of lent, and will follow the four Advent themes of hope, joy, peace, and love.


This week was hope.  Where do we find our hope?  On what do base our hope on?  Using Psalm 80 as a backdrop, we explored the need for hope, and the source of our hope. 

If you would like to read that message, click on the title below and you will be redirected to the message:

November 27 - Restore Us, O God:  Hope

Thanks for reading!

Ringing the Bell...

Today I spent an hour in front of Wal Mart ringing the bell for Salvation Army.  I helped through our local Christian Motorcyclist Association chapter, who rings the bell on Black Friday every year.  But even if they were to stop for a year, I would still help.  I love it.  It's a great cause and I'm glad to be a part of it. 

When you walk by a red kettle, please donate.  And better yet, when you get some time, give Salvation Army a call and volunteer for an hour.

You'll be glad you did.  I know I was.

Operation Christmas Child

Almond Union of Churches was a relay center for Operation Christmas Child again this year, and had set a new record for the number of shoeboxes collected at our church.

As a Relay Center, we collect shoeboxes from area churches, groups such as boy scouts or girl scouts, junior grange groups, even businesses and individuals.  As we receive them, we carton them up and transport them to the collection center in Big Flats (Big Flats Wesleyan Church).  When we drop them in Big Flats, we put them onto the big Roadway semi-trucks and they go to Boone, North Carolina.  From Boone they are processed then distributed to some of the neediest children in the world.

But before they get distributed, each shoebox gets a gospel story book, so that as children get a shoebox gift (for many, it might be the first gift they've ever received), they will also learn of the greatest gift of all, Christ's gift of salvation.

This is an incredible ministry, and I'm proud that Almond Union has embraced it and works so hard every year to make it a success. 

This year, we collected 774 shoeboxes.  Perhaps just as impressive is the fact that we had 24 volunteers working 121 hours.  Yet I don't think anyone thought it was work.  We have fun serving together.  And we made a difference!  Thank you to everyone who helped, who donated a shoebox, and who prayed over the shoeboxes that were collected.  Your efforts are appreciated.

On the Churches FaceBook page, we have pictures of the event.  Feel free to check them out at Almond Union of Churches FB.