WELCOME TO SUMMERLIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

THE PASTOR'S PEN

Her three little girls, all under the age of six, were beautiful and poised ... ready for Christmas, not a nightmare. They were dressed for the season, all of them fashionably, all of them in matching Gap accessories and their red and white Christmas dresses, with bright red shoes. All of their hair was pulled back with the same beautiful red bows matching their shoes. And the mother appeared to be in control. She had hold of those girls with great parental posture, keeping her girls in line amidst a chaotic mess of other terribly deficient and dysfunctional families,

who allowed their not so well groomed and definitely raggedly clothed children to run amuck in the mall. All of these families, unkempt and attractive, waited for a picture with Santa Claus. This particular mother and three little girls had just joined the procession and the sign of the time at the end read, “Santa’s waiting for you!” And in smaller print it said, “45 minute wait from here.” I’m a closet sociologist, and father of three, and I enjoy people watching. So I bought a latte, which I had to wait 10 minutes for, just to watch this particular story unfold. Minute by minute and step by step this quartet of lovely ladies in control slowly fell apart. First the girls got tired and started to lay down in the line, and after seven or eight times of reaching down to pull them up, mom let them slide in their dresses across the floor. The smallest one fell asleep in moms arms, and her little face had imprints of moms leather purse strap. One of the bows was left at sign number three that was deceiving. It read, “Santa’s waiting for you. 10 minutes from here” but the sign did not take into account a change of elf and Santa staff. My time had already seen an hour pass, and I left as the girls were whining and crying, faces so red and sad, throwing fits with each other by pulling off their dress bows, and mom was wiped out, and the elf who had to seat them looked terrified.

Waiting seems to be one of North America’s most frustrating sociological phenomena. With abundant wants and desires, we have created a plethora of lines where we get, get, get. We wait in line for everything, from Emergency room visits to movie tickets, from car washes to lattes. We wait. We wait for what we want, we wait for what we need, and we wait for what we could care less about like traffic or the DMV or taxes; and we wait for news good or bad, happy or sad (Is it a boy or a girl? Are the results positive or negative?). We can’t wait for vacation and we can’t wait for Christmas, and when vacations are drawing to a close and Christmas Day is here, if we could, we would pause time and hold that moment in waiting.

Waiting means there is a delay of something or someone or some moments come to pass; time filled with an anticipation of happening. How many times in a child’s life do they hear, “Just wait a minute!” Waiting is a pause in our daily rush of life where we can hold our horses, catch our breath, take a nap, stare out a window, linger at a door, waste a little time, hang around, or simply stop. For many North Americans, waiting is annoying. It is considered a waste of time that could and should be filled with cell phones, the radio, clocks, reading material, books on tape, homework, a quick work out, checking e-mail or browsing the net, television, or some technological gadget of fun.

Waiting is becoming a lost spiritual art. If we think about it, the church discovered a season of waiting, of hopeful anticipation, a time to celebrate and practice pausing to reflect on and look forward to something truly worth waiting for; the birth of Jesus the Christ child. A child whose life, death, and resurrection would change the world, change the universe, and create a new form of spiritual power drawing humanity and God as close together as we had ever been able to recognize. The season is called Advent, and it simply means “coming.” We wait for the birth of Jesus.

Waiting as a spiritual practice, is something we need to cultivate all the time throughout our life. As followers of Jesus we anticipate his return, and the coming reign of God’s kingdom, and so we are always in a time of advent. It is good for us to fill this “life waiting” with prayer and reflection on God; we can “life wait” with reaching out in love to someone in need; we can “life wait” recognizing our God has sent us into a waiting world with good news of God’s love; and we can “life wait” by sharing the news of Jesus with someone on the train, or plane, or DMV building. In our busy lives, waiting for the Lord, waiting in the Lord, is an empowering gift of hope giving us a loving understanding of who we are, and it grounds us in our surroundings with God’s presence experienced in the people around us.

Isaiah 40.28 Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The eternal God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn't grow tired or become weary. His understanding is beyond reach. 40.29 He gives strength to those who grow tired and increases the strength of those who are weak. 40.30 Even young people grow tired and become weary, and young men will stumble and fall. 40.31 Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the LORD will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won't become weary. They will walk and won't grow tired. GWT

Just a Thought,

Pastor Tom

>>Pastor's Blog


	WOMEN OF THE WELL Ah, the Christmas Season! There are so many things happening during this time of the year, and so many ideas for articles that have come to me, that it was hard determine which one was tugging most on my heart. Then I spoke with Rachel-----my “Elizabeth”----and it came to me...

I think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was just barely past childhood herself, when she was told of God's plan for her life by the angel Gabriel---”You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name of Jesus.” Luke 1:31 One miracle. One child that would change the world forever.

Sometimes I think that's the way I'd like to hear from God about his plans for my life---just send me an arch angel and be done with it. But, alas, no. Still no arch angel to date---just waiting on my Lord with sometimes impatient enthusiasm as His plans for my life unfold, often in directions I never would have imagined. It is in my stillness that His will for my life unfolds. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

But back to Mary---I'm left to ponder about how this young girl felt about the responsibility that was just given her. I can imagine long before feelings of joy and elation set in, that she was initially shocked, overwhelmed, and in awesome disbelief of why God chose her for this task. I can also imagine her feelings then growing into concern and fear, wondering who she could turn to. Surely Joseph would not quite understand......and her reputation---well, she broke the law of the land which stated that women needed to be pure for a year once a husband is chosen for them. It brought shame on both of them, and could have meant Mary would be stoned to death. But, as our faithful Lord has promised , when you walk with Him, he makes a path for you. And we wouldn't have the strength for greater journeys if not for overcoming previous difficulties, nor appreciate the clearing nearly as much if the path were not previous wrought with thicket.

So besides giving Mary the unparalleled gift of His Son in her womb, and an angel sent to speak with Joseph, God provided for Mary on her challenging path in another way. He gave her someone to confide in who would love and encourage her, and rejoice with her about this awesome, scary, and wonderful news. Her name was Elizabeth. Elizabeth was an older, distant relative of Mary, and the wife of Zechariah, descendant of Aaron. When Mary arrived to tell her the news, Elizabeth, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, rejoiced with Mary, saying “But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Luke 1:43

Elizabeth was experiencing her own miracle at this time of being six months pregnant after a lifetime of being barren. (Just a few months later with Mary at her side, she would give birth to a son named John----John the Baptist.) This is important, because Elizabeth did not know this at the time she was pregnant. She simply knew that her own prayers of being a mother had been answered, and that Mary was indeed pregnant with the World's Savior. I suppose there might have been room for some jealousy there, don't you think? But not with Elizabeth. Her faith was unwavering. She was so filled with joy by the Holy Spirit that she could only rejoice with Mary about the awesome privilege and responsibility which God had given Mary. “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:44-45. Who knows why God makes some of the choices he makes? We just have to trust that the Lord God has a plan much bigger than our minds can fathom and that our role in it is perfectly defined by Him. That each and every one of us have a critical role in completing God's plan and bringing Him glory.

I believe that as Mary embraced her role in God's plan, it defined Mary, not just as the mother of Jesus, but as a woman who trusted God—not just for this one big event, but with her marriage, her reputation, her motherhood, her salvation, and the ultimate sacrifice of her baby boy --- every aspect of her life. What are you trusting the Lord with? Do you lay everything at His feet, or are there some joys and burdens that you still claim as your own? Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt 11:29. I find that passage especially poignant during the holiday season, when my “martha” tendencies tend to show a little more in my attempts to create a wonderful Christmas holiday for those I love. When really the things that fill our spirits with joy the most during the holiday season are keeping focused on Jesus as the reason for it all, and sharing His love with others (especially those who don't know Him).

Dear sisters, do you have an Elizabeth? Are you an Elizabeth to someone else? Now I'm talking about the human female type of someone--someone to share things with about where God's leading you or not leading you, what you're praying for, growing in, struggling with, claiming victory over, or laying at His feet? Someone who loves the Lord and isn't afraid to pray with you, disagree with you, challenge you, or just tell you to be still? God has given me much more than a sister in my sister-in-law, Rachel. I am blessed with many friends, but she is my Elizabeth. She holds me accountable and loves me unconditionally. She is iron sharpening iron to me. Thank you, Jesus, for your gift of Rachel.

As God unfolds the plans he has for your life and ministry, I pray that you would have an Elizabeth with you (sometimes beside you to share your joys and sorrows; sometimes behind you to encourage and support you; and sometimes before you to be a compass and a bright light) and that He would bless that relationship to edify you and glorify Him. Here's a little prayer you can say if your heart yearns for an Elizabeth:

Dear precious Lord,

Thank you for being a God who longs for an intimate relationship with each and every one of your children. Thank you for creating a need in us to relate to and be understood by other people. Lord, I specifically thank you for the need you've created in women for other women. I ask that you bless me according to your perfect timing with an “Elizabeth” who will walk with me on my journey with you. Thank you, Jesus, for intercessing this prayer for me, and thank you, Spirit, for working through me to change me in ways that will glorify my Father in heaven. Help me to listen for, seek out, and discern the calling you have on my life. Lord, in Jeremiah 29:11 you Word says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I stand on the promise of your word, Lord, and I thank you for being the God of hope and truth. Amen.

Wishing you peace during this holiest of seasons,

Elder Kiersten Marcos

A NEW YEAR APPETIZER

Sift together one generous measure of "Over 55ers" with 2 heaping cups of SPC Church members (adults only). Blend well with fun and fellowship, adding a liberal dash of laughter, a full measure of succulent edibles and an occasional sprinkling of friendly entertainment. Serve on Sunday, January 7, 2007 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the home of Fred and Mickie Bratschie, 4768 Atlantico.

Check the sign-up sheet each Sunday morning and arrange to join us for a "Welcome To The New Year" Open House.

For further information contact Marian (233-8452) or Mickie (240-4760).

FOR FUN: BIBLE TRIVIA

Who was the first of the 12 disciples put to death by Rome and who was the last disciple to die?

FAITH STORIES

Why I Like Nativities

By Scott Thrasher

I love Christmas. I pretty much love everything about Christmas. Christmas is such an undeniably magical time. No matter how hard some might try to diminish Christmas, its power to transform us into compassionate neighbors, friendly strangers and giddy children rolls on, unstoppable like a mighty river. Yes, I love Christmas. The magic of Christmas is what I hope for every day of the year.

My wife and I have a rustic clay nativity that I love so much that a couple of years ago I began to leave it out and on display all year. She thinks I'm weird but I like seeing it there. To me it’s a reminder of Hope… of Love, and Joy. She's tried to hide it a couple of times but I keep dragging it out and setting it up.

Nativities always remind me of the Christmas of 1977, Christmas was on a Sunday that year and along with it came the famous Blizzard of 1977 as well. It snowed nearly every day, temperatures stayed well below zero for 50 days and we thought the subzero wind chills would never end. We got out of school for over a month. It was a winter like no other in that part of the country. It was so cold for so long that the Ohio River froze over. Rare for any body of water but a mighty flowing river like the Ohio… it hadn’t been seen since the 30s. In spite of constant warnings and posted signs I have a picture that my Dad took of me standing center stage on the Ohio River.

There were always stories of people driving across and of people falling through but that didn’t stop them from trying. Around Christmas people began to put trees out on the ice, sticks and branches and some cedar trees decorated with various flotsam and jetsam started popping up out on the ice. Then, I remember someone placed an old plastic nativity out there on the frozen river. That nativity stayed there covered in snow and ice through all of January then February… and sometime in February when the ice began to break up… and buckle from the pressure of a river dead set on moving. That old nativity began to tilt and skew and warp and eventually sink. Slowly at first then soon all you could see of that nativity was a couple of heads caught up in the debris and ice jam. Then like so many Christmas’… that monument to the first Christmas, that picture of the greatest story ever told, sank, hopelessly out of sight.

So I’ve got my nativity scene up and there it will stay. And if you come to my house in June or August or November… there it will be; as a reminder of God’s power to transform us into compassionate neighbors… friendly strangers and giddy children.

EDUCATION NEWS

Confirmation Classes are beginning this February for teen’s grades 8^th to 12^th. You will learn about church history, bible basics, Creeds, Presbyterian policy and what it means to be a member of the Presbyterian Church. Whether you feel ready to join the church or wish to take the classes for more information in your faith journey come join us. Sign-ups will begin in January. If you have any questions direct them to Elder Càrrie Ismail, carrie@n3n.com or 243-2435.

Word Alive is back from the holiday break on January 7^th at 9:30 on Sundays. We have classes for Adults, Teens and Children. Come join us as the Spirit moves us in discussion and fun. Questions may be directed to Elder Bob Lockhart, rlock1517@hotmail.com for the Adult classes or Càrrie Ismail, carrie@n3n.com for the Teens and Children.

Our Youth Groups, Petra-5, the junior high group and HSP, the high school group will resume regular meetings on January 7^th as we continue our discussions about Proverbs & Psalms, while sharing in fun & games as well. Petra-5 meets at the Ismail’s from 4:30-6:00 and HSP meets at the Tate’s from 5:00-6:30.

>>Carrie Ismail