Knoxville, TN December 2012 Not Good Enough

Transcription

1 Knoxville, TN December 2012 Not Good Enough C ould you imagine a parent saying to his eight-year-old boy on Christmas: I am sorry son; you were just not good enough this past year. You won t be receiving any Christmas gifts. Try harder next year. Unfortunately for millions upon millions of people, Christianity is seen like almost every other religion on the face of the earth--a religion of just try harder. If you asked the average person on the street what the Christian faith was all about, a majority would probably answer that it is about trying to be good. They might refer to the 10 commandments, to attending church, to praying and giving offerings as the core of what it means to be a Christian. In other words, cancel out Christmas, the coming of Jesus Christ into the world, His death of the cross, and the whole idea of grace. So, if we have to be good to be in God s favor now and to go to heaven later, who is good enough? Let s start with you. Are you good enough? Well, let s do a little survey. Ever told a lie? Or maybe have you failed to tell the whole truth? Ever been mad at someone for selfish reasons? How about lust gossip coveting greed? Have you stolen by being lazy at work? How about your thought life, is it pure? Are you hypocritical? Are you conniving? This self-testing could go on for pages and pages. Frankly, even if you have made progress, you are not very good. Certainly, you are not good enough. But how about others, aren t they good enough? What about Billy Graham, doesn t he rate as one who is good? He will tell you himself that he is not good enough to deserve heaven. Specifically, he points to the neglect of his family as one of his sins. Then how about the late Mother Teresa who did so much good in India, wasn t she good enough? I was not surprised to learn from her letters how much she doubted her faith in God. This doesn t mean we won t see her in heaven, but it does mean she knew she wasn t good enough. The truth is that no one is good enough. The Christian faith is not about being good. It is about Jesus who took our sins upon Himself and in turn gave us His goodness. Christianity is about the forgiveness of our sins and the grace Jesus Christ won for us. Actually, there may be non- Christians who are more moral and live better lives than do believing Christians. But they are still not good enough they are still loaded with sin. Yes, believers will strive to be good. Their hearts and desires have been changed. They will want to please God in everything they do. They will also mature, that is make progress in pleasing God. But they will never reach that level where they will be good enough not to need the grace of Jesus. The hope of everyone is not in trying harder or being good enough, but it is in Jesus Christ the Savior. This Christmas celebrate the fact that He was good enough for you and everyone else who believes in Him! ~ Pastor Rich

2 Page 2 December 2012 The Gifts of Christmas Starts December 2, 2012 Children s Christmas Program A Super Christmas T he annual Christmas program performed by our Grace children will be on Sunday, December 9, in the Family Life Center during the 11:00 a.m. service. Program rehearsals will be held on Saturdays, December 1 and 8 from 9:00 11:30 a.m. for all classes Pre-K/K through 6 th grade. (If your child is in the Parent s and 2 s, 3-year-old or 4-year-old classes, they do not have to be at these practices. They will rehearse during the Sunday School hour.) Drop off and pick up will be in the Family Life Center. Parents may stay in our parents lounge or do a little shopping but please let us know where you will be. The teachers will be there to ensure your child s safety. Questions? Please Frieda Guthrie at childrensmin@visitgrace.org. Congregational Voters Meeting Sunday, December 2 12:15 p.m. Business includes approval of the 2013 budget and the new Board of Directors. A copy of the 2013 proposed budget is posted on the Board of Directors bulletin board. If you would like an individual copy, please contact the church office. GraceNet is published monthly by Grace Lutheran Church LCMS 9076 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN Phone: (865) Fax: (865) glc@visitgrace.org Reverend Richard M. Elseroad, Senior Pastor Reverend Justin A. Bell, Associate Pastor Reverend Mark Bushuiakovish, Associate Pastor Website: Articles for GraceNet are due by the 1st of each month for the following month s edition. GraceNet Staff Debbie Booher, Editor Linda Jaekel Nancy May Joan Scraggs to Editor: dbooher@knology.net

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4 Page 4 December /1 James Bretscher 12/1 Nancy Duthey 12/1 Mickey Tunstall 12/3 Jodie Swafford 12/4 Erica Clark 12/5 Holly Smiley 12/6 Tim Frizzell 12/6 Wendy Heidel 12/7 Audrey Clark 12/7 Kayla Cleland 12/7 Jill Peterson 12/7 Addie Jean Scraggs 12/9 Heather Archer 12/9 Megan Brockman 12/9 Grayson Clark 12/9 Bobby Colbert II 12/9 Christian Denney 12/9 Karen Stock 12/9 Rachel Straub 12/9 Sheila Wittke 12/10 Thelma Arnette 12/10 Mary Grebe 12/10 Anina Jaekel 12/10 Margene Moore 12/12 Janice Ishee 12/13 Stacy Henderson 12/13 Sherry Pauley 12/14 Adam Moore 12/14 Brad Rose 12/15 Crystal Grebe 12/15 Lynn Hyman 12/16 Jake Brown 12/17 Emily Buskey 12/17 Megan Gardner 12/17 Sylvia Rotiski 12/18 Amanda Newport 12/18 Blake Thompson 12/19 Mitch Fisher 12/19 Dale Henderson 12/19 Susie Hurtubise 12/19 Hannah Satterfield 12/19 Joyce Satterfield 12/19 Gary Scott 12/20 Zoe Butler 12/20 Bryanna Marjonen 12/20 Betty Metz 12/20 Zak Smith 12/22 Lori Henningfield 12/22 Gregory Koenig 12/23 Larry Voorhees 12/24 Bob Kurtz, Sr. 12/25 Steve Jergesen 12/25 Mary Schultz 12/26 Johanna Bell 12/26 Kathy Guettner 12/26 Bryan Schmidt 12/29 Will Deichert 12/29 Chip Dooley 12/29 Malachi McGinley 12/29 Sarah Smithey 12/30 Traci Roth 12/31 Sue Denney 12/31 Susan Wright 12/1 Ray & Donna Maier 12/3 Patrick Van Rennes & Holly Smiley 12/4 Charlie & Tina Stine 12/7 Gary & Wendy Krueger 12/9 Rick & Patty Archer 12/10 Steve & Jill Peterson 12/12 Sam & Sarah Smithey 12/15 Christian & Meghan Denney 12/16 Allie & Allen Cook 12/18 Mark & Valerie Nagle 12/20 Steve & Mandy Jarvis 12/21 Nancy & Tom Gunn 12/23 Scott & Tracy Connor 12/27 Jesse & Laura Smithey 12/29 Alex & Nancy DeTrana 12/29 Mike & Mary Grebe 12/29 Jim & JoAnn Vaughn 12/30 Doug & AdriAnne Kothe 12/30 Mickey & Kristi Tunstall December Scripture of the Month The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~ John 1:14, NIV

5 Page 5 December 2012 Chloe Marie LaStarza Born: November 2, 2012 Proud Parents: Chris & Whitney LaStarza Esther Daphne Kabela Born: November 26, 2012 Proud Parents: Erik & Megan Kabela Family Prayers P rayer is a vital part of our walk with God, and God wants to hear from us when times are good, as well as when times are bad. One of the focuses of our prayers is for various members of our congregation each week in our worship services. By the end of the year, our goal is to have prayed for each and every family at Grace during one of the services. The names of those who we will be praying for each month will be posted in advance in the bulletin and/or the newsletter. Please take a moment to read the names and incorporate them into your own daily prayers as well. Ask for God s hand to be upon these people and ask Him to bless them. Prayer can have a powerful effect on people s lives. Let s commit to lifting each other up in prayer this year and see what amazing results will follow. The families and friends we want to pray for during the month of December are: Week of December 2 Jane Chaney Amber Hicks and Madison Drew and Laurie Martin Adam and Amber Moore, JB, and Mallory Sandy Seay Week of December 9 Greg and Sarah Clark, Carson, Allison, and Audrey Keith and Bev Knipp James Moore Ashley and Martines Smith, Emily, Gilbert, and Isaac Week of December 23 Allen and Allie Cook, Zachary, Jacob and Nicholas Judy Howe Jack and Kristin McGee Sonya Nanstad Charles and Tina Stine Week of December 30 John Cothrine Rick and Beth Huemmer Betty Metz Gary and Kitty Pruett Werner Stolp Week of December 16 John and Carrie Cleland, Leah, Kayla, Landon, and Brennan Eric and Helen Horlbeck Greg Koenig Cindy Plummer Luke Stapel

6 Page 6 December 2012 Live(Christ)Mas I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full. ~ John 10:10 F or whatever reason (some might say attention deficit disorder) Taco Bell s latest slogan caught my attention. Live Mas literally means, live more. My inclination was to go on line and check out the nutritional value of their menu items. However, I thought better of it for a number of reasons. First of all, I might be rudely awakened to that much of what is listed would not fit my physique very well. Secondly, the subliminal desire to eat more might also grow exponentially. So instead, I did some research on the reason this fast food chain changed from Think outside the bun to Live Mas. According to an article posted by the Huffington Post on February 23, 2012, Taco Bell needed something to make a big push to boost its sales. They also write that USA Today described the slogan as "more lifestyle-targeted." Now you might begin to wonder what all this has to do with our preparation for the first of two greatest holidays of the year. Just add one word to mas and it becomes, Christmas! For those of us who believe in the true meaning of what has become a secular holiday, Christmas does mean more than more. It means more than more gifts or gift cards. It means more than time to spend with family. It means more than just an extra day or two or three off, depending on your work schedule. It means just what Jesus said in the Gospel of John. Jesus did come that those who believe might have life and have it to the full. Other versions of the Bible say, He came that they might have life and have it abundantly! It would be very easy just to quote one verse of a very familiar section of Scripture without knowing anything about the context. Go back just for a minute and read John 10:1-11. Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate, tells us that He is the Good Shepherd. He came into this world as a little baby in order to be the Savior of the world. He took on the Devil, the thief who comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I can only wonder what Jesus might be thinking as the world goes from Black Thursday through Christmas. Would you not agree with me that the Devil seeks to steal the real significance of Christmas? Is it not his desire to kill our joy and destroy the good will that Jesus offers so freely? Christmas is indeed a time to live more! We live more because we know what happens to the Christ Child. He lives a life without sin. He dies in our place on Good Friday. He rises from the dead on Easter in order that we might have life and have it to the fullest, both now and in eternity. Christmas leads to Easter, the second Holiday that is a Holy day! I wonder what would happen if we began to live Christ-mas more! The first Christmas, the angels were filled with joy and sang, Glory to God in the highest! The shepherds returned giving thanks to God for what they had seen and heard. About two years later, the Magi would bring gifts to The Gift who gives the greatest gifts The forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Perhaps we might take encouragement from the first visitors as we visit during this Christmas season: May our singing of Christmas Carols be filled with joy as we sing, Hark, the herald angels sing. As we return from worshiping the Christ Child may we be led to give thanks for what we have seen and heard. May the Greatest Gift ever given lead us to give gifts that really keep on giving like forgiveness and unconditional love. Christmas blessings to you and your household as you truly Live Christmas! ~Pastor Jim Kirk What s Missing? W hen shopping for gifts became too difficult, an elderly man decided to just send checks to relatives. In his Christmas cards, mailed early, he wrote, Buy your own present! After the holiday, the man noticed he d received few cards in return. Puzzled, he went into his study, intending to write a few relatives and ask what had happened. As he cleared his cluttered desk, he horrified man found the answer. Under a stack of papers were the checks he d forgotten to enclose with his cards! The lesson? Don t be in such a hurry to give gifts that you inadvertently leave out what s most important. Without the message of Jesus and his birth, the earthly trappings of Christmas are empty indeed.

7 Page 7 December 2012 Christmas Worship Schedule Advent Services - 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 5 Wednesday, December 12 Wednesday, December 19 Wednesday, December 26 - No Service December 9 - Children s Christmas Program 11:00 a.m. - During Contemporary Worship Service December 16 - Christmas Brunch 9:00-10:30 a.m. - Brunch December 23 - Regular Worship Services 8:00 a.m. - Traditional Worship 9:30 a.m. - Bible Classes 9:30 a.m. - Blended Worship 11:00 a.m. - Contemporary Worship December 24 - Christmas Eve Services 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. with Midnight Communion December 25 - Christmas Day

8 Grace Lutheran Church-LCMS 9076 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN (865) Fax: (865) address: Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m. (Traditional) and 9:30 a.m. (Blended)/11:00 a.m. (Contemporary) Wednesday Worship: 6:30 p.m. (Blended) Sunday School & Bible 9:30 a.m./11:00 a.m. RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED TO: