Crossroads. Somerset Church of the Brethren. From the Pastor s Desk MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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1 PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IN WORD AND DEED Crossroads From the Pastor s Desk MERRY CHRISTMAS! As the days of December begin, we are reminded that there are only 25 shopping days left until Christmas. You cannot drive down the street or turn on the T.V. without a reminder that Christmas is indeed on its way. In some parts of our area, special green and red lights adorn various buildings, twinkling white lights top the trees, and the stores treat the eyes with their animated festive displays. Christmas is here again! We relish the time off of work, reunions with family and friends, good food, and gift giving. Children anticipate Christmas with stories of Santa Claus and elves, decorated trees, and candycanes. Yes, in all of the excitement, Jesus Christ, the very reason for our Christmas festivities, is often left out of the picture. While it is quite acceptable for people of all religions and creeds to celebrate and greet one another with Merry Christmas, our culture has forgotten why we celebrate Christmas at all. The word Christmas is not a generic term. It specifies the reason for the celebration the birth of Jesus Christ. The words Merry Christmas are taken from old English, Cristes Maesse or Christ s Mass. Dating back to 400 A.D., Christians have celebrated the birth of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Many today might wonder: Who is Jesus Christ? Why was His birth the cause for great celebration? What is so special about His name that it has endured for generations? Somerset Church of the Brethren This month at Somerset Church of the Brethren, we will focus our study on the gift of Christmas. Through God s Word, we will discover the richness of the name of Jesus Christ, and renew our understanding of this holiday we often take for granted. For Christians, Christmas is more than a cultural celebration. It is a time to pause and reflect on Jesus Christ, the One who has given us great reason to rejoice. Because of Jesus Christ, because of His birth, we have been given the greatest gift of all. He truly is the reason for this season: Merry Christmas to you, and to your loved ones! To you and yours, have a very Merry Christmas Pastor Ron Barto ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHILE WAITING.. Advent does not lead to nervous tension stemming from expectation of something spectacular about to happen. On the contrary, it leads to a growing inner stillness and joy allowing me to realize that he for whom I am waiting has already arrived and speaks to me in the silence of my heart. Just as a mother feels the child grow in her and is not surprised on the day of the birth, but joyfully receives the one she learned to know during her waiting, so Jesus can be born in my life slowly and steadily and be received as the one I learned to know while waiting. Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Genesee Diary

2 SOMERSET CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN PAGE 2 DECEMBER Chorale practice-sanctuary, 9:30am Social Hall/Kitchen rental, 9am-6pm Faith Promise Dinner-Camp Harmony, 5pm 2 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT All poinsettia orders/payments due Laurel Highlands Chorale concert, 3:30pm 3 Laurel Highlands Chorale concert, 7pm 4 Quilters & Knotters, 9am Wheelers & Dealers, 7:30-9:30pm 5 Bell Choir rehearsal, 8pm 7 Social Hall rental, 9am-9pm 8 Children s Christmas Party-Camp Harmony, 9am Social Hall rental, 12-4pm 9 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Praise & Worship service, 10am Kids CONNECT meeting, 11am-1pm Youth CONNECT meeting, 6-8pm 11 Quilters & Knotters, 9am 12 Chancel Choir rehearsal, 7pm Bell Choir rehearsal, 8pm 15 Prayer & Praise Service, 6pm 16 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Happy Birthday Jesus breakfast, 8am Children s Christmas play, 9am Soup & Salad after worship Messenger subscriptions due January newsletter article due 18 Quilters & Knotters, 9am Wheelers & Dealers, 7:30-9:30pm 19 Chancel Choir rehearsal, 7pm Bell Choir rehearsal, 8pm 20 SIP & Stitch, 6-8pm 21 FIRST DAY OF WINTER 22 SCOB Kettle Ringing at Walmart, 8:30am- 7:30pm 23 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Youth CONNECT meeting, 6-8pm 24 CHRISTMAS EVE Christmas Eve service, 7pm 25 CHRISTMAS DAY (Church office closed) 28 Senior Food box distribution, 8-10am 30 Men s Fellowship meeting-mostollers, 7am 31 NEW YEAR S EVE STAFF INFORMATION: Pastor Ronald Barto randbbarto@gmail.com Kimmy Hixson (Secretary) kimmyscob@hotmail.com Regular church office hours are: 8:30am-12:30pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Fridays and 8:30am-3pm on Mondays & Thursdays. SMALL PACKAGES, GREAT THINGS The motto for Hershey s Kisses used to be Big things come in small packages! That also could be a motto for Bethlehem, for Baby Jesus and, indeed, for us. It s an important message to remember when we fear we re too weak to fix the world s problems, too small to fight the gigantic terror that threatens a loved one or too lacking in abilities we see in others. But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, God declares through the prophet Micah (5:2, NRSV), From you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel. Bethlehem was a mere village. God s ruler for Israel started as an infant. His birthplace was a small stable, not a palace or temple. But size isn t everything. Big that is, great things can come in small packages. And thanks to the tiny baby who grew up to share immeasurably huge love with the world, God can do great things through you, too!

3 SOMERSET CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN PAGE 3 COMMUNITY ADVENT SCHEDULE 12 pm at the 1st United Methodist Church on Patriot Street in Somerset with a light lunch provided: DATE PREACHER LUNCH PROVIDED BY 11/28 Arnie McFarland Calvary United Methodist 12/5 Matt Deal St. Paul's UCC 12/12 Barry Ritenour Bethany United Methodist 12/19 Mike Dunlap St. Paul's Presbyterian CAMP HARMONY Faith Promise Dinner You are cordially invited to the 7th Annual Faith Promise Dinner on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Camp Harmony. Dinner begins at 5pm. For more information/registrations, see the gathering area; for questions, call camp at Dec. 8th for Ages 5-12 UPCOMING DATES: Children s Christmas Party January Jr. Winter Camp (Grades 2-6) February 1-3 Teen Winter Camp (Graces 7-12) 1 Nicole (Tomko) Sanner Louis Sredy, TJ Watkins 2 Nancy Gasswint 5 Debbie Baker 6 Kelsey Watkins 8 Amanda Van Breman 12 Millie Maust 13 William Lambert 16 Cara Custer 19 Terry Shaffer 20 Bella Baumgardner 22 William Barron, Kate Shaffer 24 Lonnie Ream II 28 Christopher Flick, Robert Sembower 31 Jane Brandt, Earl Yoder LAUREL HIGHLANDS CHORALE CONCERT "This is Christmas" will be presented by the Laurel Highlands Chorale on Sunday, Dec. 2nd at 3:30pm and Monday, Dec. 3rd at 7pm here at the Somerset COB. Tickets are available from any chorale member or at the door; for more information, contact Dorene Friedline at or SENIOR FOOD BOX DISTRIBUTION The next Senior Food Box Distribution is set for Friday, December 28th from 8am- 10am. Come share in the merry fellowship that goes along with helping the community.

4 SOMERSET CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN PAGE 4 Experience Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child on Sunday, December 16 The church family and friends are cordially invited to join the children in the Sanctuary on Sunday morning, December 16 at 9 AM for their production of Through the Eyes of a Child, an original drama by Christine Ferguson that has been adapted for the children of the Somerset Church of the Brethren and is being produced by special arrangement with Contemporary Drama Service. The children began preparations for this gift of drama to the church in early November and are looking forward to sharing Christmas story through their eyes with everyone in attendance on December 16. And what a wonderful reason to invite a friend to attend the Happy Birthday, Jesus! Breakfast at 8 AM, followed by the children s drama at 9 o clock, and Morning Worship at 10 AM on the third Sunday of Advent! The cast of Through the Eyes of a Child includes Henry Kovach, Kennedi Weaver, Elizabeth Shaffer, Maya Barth, Clara Crow, Larissa Smith, Mitchel Hoffman, Josie Smith, Abigail Stanton, Adrianna Schlosnagle, Alex McCoy, Aiden Shaffer, Zane Greer, Jonah Yost, and Lily Yost. Kim Huet, Sherry Berkey, and Kathie Shaffer are directing the children s drama. The children wish to express their appreciation to Katie Crow, their photographer, and to James T. and Ann Yoder for their support. The drama features Katie s images as well as sheep and Ben, the donkey, who joined the cast of Through the Eyes of a Child courtesy of the Yoder s. Thank you! DECEMBER SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTREACH Somerset County Food Pantry THE PERFECT GIFT Antoine de Saint-Exupery said, Love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction. At Christmas we celebrate God coming to earth to look outward with us in the same direction, from our perspective and experience. Jesus was an ordinary person: He learned to talk and walk like any toddler, learned a trade from his father and acquired the habits of faith from his family. In adulthood, Jesus experienced life as we all do: the challenge of hard work, grief at a loved one s death, heartache over oppression and the world s great needs but also joy in celebration, fellowship with neighbors and deep friendship. God personally knows our every experience, emotion and need because Jesus, while fully divine, lived as a full human being. He has gazed at the world, life and even death from our direction, giving us the perfect Christmas give: love.

5 SOMERSET CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN PAGE 5 Poinsettia orders for the Christmas Season The cost of each plant will be $9.00. The last day to order is Sunday, December 2nd! Orders with payments may be placed in the offering plate, turned in to the church office, or placed in the secretary s mailbin in the workroom. Checks should be made out to the Somerset Church of the Brethren. Ordered by: Phone number: Quantity ordered: Pink Red White $9.00 each = $ In memory of: In honor of: PLEASE HELP HUNGRY NEIGHBORS We are placing a little free Food Pantry in our parking lot, offering people in need of food item or two until their next paycheck. It offers a chance to take what they need or leave what they can. We are depending on our church to get extra items for our Pantry when we shop every week. Food may be placed in the Pantry or in the container in the gathering area. Thank you for helping your neighbors in need. -Elective Sunday School Class Little Free Pantry Suggested Items to Donate: * Dry or boxed food * Granola bars * Cereal * Peanut Butter * Canned food which will not freeze * Chips - Snacks * Pasta - macaroni, noodles * Tissues * Toilet Paper * New socks, hats or gloves * Please no glass or expired items I would like my flowers donated to shut-ins or those in nursing homes. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

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9 SOMERSET CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN PAGE 9 DECEMBER SCHEDULES: EARLY GREETERS: CIA Class HOSPITALITY: 2 The Deacons 9 Messy Spirituality 16 FBI Class WORSHIP HOSTS: 2 Adam & Kate Shaffer 9 Jessica Schomer & Ann Yoder 16 Dave & Julie Stanton 23 Michael & Trudy Saylor 24 David & Virginia Hay 30 Melissa Smith ACOLYTE: Josie Smith BANNER ATTENDANT: Ginger Rohrer ADVENT READERS: 2 Earl & Debbie Yoder 9 Joel Zelenske 16 Kerry & Laurie Knepper 23 Steve & Kate Crow, Clara & Elsie 24 STORYTELLERS: 2 Diane Barron 9 Barbara Barto 16 Adam Shaffer 23 Ann Yoder USHERS: Fred & Kim Huet (Lead), Alice Gary, David Cupp, Charlie Rhodamer, Jason Custer, Drew Deffenbaugh, and Carolyn Willoughby- Deffenbaugh NURSERY ATTENDANTS: 2 DeAnn McCoy & Regine Smith 9 Mike & Jackie St.Clair 16 Nick & Liz Kovach 23 Sid Haines & Valerie Woy 30 Kim & Fred Huet DEACONS OF THE MONTH: Ken & LaVonne Sanner, Terry & Kathie Shaffer, John & Vickie Watkins, and Jim & Barb Yost SIP & STITCH Thursday, December 20th from 6 8 pm 15 Tim & Janet Resh 27 Brock & Kelly Hemminger

10 DECEMBER SERMON/SCRIPTURES 2 Peace for the Christmas Pace Isaiah 26:1-4 9 A Savior Worth Waiting For Luke 2:1-6; Galatians 4: Do You See What I See? Luke 2: Inconsistencies of Christmas Numbers 24:17-19; Matthew 2: CHRISTMAS EVE & CANDLELIGHT SERVICE 7 PM Reactions to Christmas Matthew 2: Pulpit Fill