NATIVITY NEWS DECEMBER 2016 Pastor s Ponderings We don t often associate Moses and the Ten Commandments with Jesus and Christmas. Mount Sinai s fiery heights and the manger in Bethlehem are worlds apart, literally! Yet, God speaks in both places and his word in each place is joined together in a way we don t often think. For example, God in the third commandment tells us to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. That means we are to observe the Sabbath both as a day of rest, not leisure, and most importantly a day to attend to the hearing of the gospel. Luther explains, We are to fear and love God, so that we do not despise preaching or God s word, but instead keep the Word holy and gladly hear and learn it. Now why in the world does God command us to go to church and take it easy? A practical reason is we are running ourselves to death. Self-imposed demands and the demands of work and family make for an exhausting life. I wish more people would consider the fact that if God took a day off perhaps we should also. Rest, though, is but one facet of the Sabbath. God demands that we avail ourselves to hearing his word. The reason is not because God is some cosmic killjoy bent on bossing us around. God invented fun you know. The Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath, Jesus said. The Sabbath was given to us because God knows that in the midst of the hustle and bustle we will never hear what s most important the babe in the manger, the savior, was there for you. He and he alone gives what is most needed and that is the forgiveness of sin. You won t get that at the mall, the ball field, the deer stand, the boat or any other place besides church. Now, for those who think church is simply one option among many on Sunday, God has a word for you, it made his top three written in stone, it is keep the Sabbath because it s for your own good. So in the light of Christmas and with an eye on the New Year, I hope you will listen to God s word at Mount Sinai so you can hear his word at Bethlehem. Merry Christmas Scott
A quarter century ago a community tradition was born: Nativity Lutheran Church s annual live nativity scene. The tableau will be staged this year on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. both nights. Celebrating the scene s twenty-fifth year, members of the congregation will portray all the traditional human figures: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the three wise men. The figure of the baby Jesus was a gift from a visitor who carried it by hand back from South America. Also inhabiting the stable will be live animals including a cow, donkey, sheep, and one of the wise men s camels. Again this year the scene will be accompanied by the voice of Bob Holland, former Director of Radio at Mississippi Public Broadcasting, narrating the events that took place over 2,000 years ago. Preparations for the scene begin in summer when the costumes are checked, repaired and renewed. Then the weekend before Thanksgiving, the stable is set up and the star hung. The morning of the scene, the hundreds of luminaries are set out filled with sand ready to be lit as evening approaches. Finally the animals are brought in and the scene is set for the annual event. The scene is located in front of the church at the corner of Crossgates Blvd. and Old Brandon Road. Visitors are invited to drive be or park and walk up and begin the month by remembering the true meaning of the season. As a reminder, each family will received a free nativity scene ornament to take home and assemble for their tree. Hot refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall.
The annual Christmas Luncheon Party for the ladies of Harbor House will be Saturday, December 10 th from 10 am to 1 pm. Volunteers are needed to serves as hosts/hostesses, help with crafts and prepare food and cookie dough. See the sign-up sheet in the narthex and help show these ladies that Nativity cares. The angel tree to help families at the Center for Violence Prevention is up in the narthex. As always there are two angels (one for toys, one for clothes) for each child. Social Ministry will add treats for the mothers from funds raised at major events. Please take an angel (or two or three there are a total of thirty representing fifteen children who have received shelter and/or services this year from CVP) Sign your name next to the number you take from the tree on sheet on the table. Return your gifts unwrapped no later than Sunday, December 11 th. Be sure to put the angel number on your gifts.. It is time to order poinsettias for Christmas. The last day to order is December 11th. Order Blanks are in the narthex for pick up.
We still have copies of our excellent newest cookbook: TASTE AND SEE. This would be a great gift idea for the office Christmas gift exchange or a special gift for Great Aunt Edith who collects cookbooks. See the display on the Baker s rack in the hall by the kitchen. Be sure to check out our bundle special! Our Youth are selling calendars for 2017! Please see the display in the Fellowship Hall. The funds will be used for Youth Activities and Summer Church Camp! Consider Charitable Contributions of Appreciated Stock to Nativity One way to boost your charitable contributions is to give shares of appreciated stock instead of cash. You deduct the shares' fair market value and avoid income tax on the capital gain. Nativity then sells the shares and has the money to use to proclaim the Gospel. You may electronically transfer ownership of stock to Nativity s account by contacting Ann Starr, 601-942-3369. To transfer stock ownership electronically, the DTC number and Nativity s account number will be needed. $$$$$$Treasurer s October Report of Budget (Operating) Expenses*$$$$$$$ Planned Actual Actual Actual Expense* Paid Expense* Offerings* Difference Oct, 2016 13,439 12,599 18,927 + 6,328 Oct, 2015 13,315 12,246 18,929 + 6,683 YTD, 2016 134,388 128,318 116,121-12,197 YTD, 2015 133,154 127,212 116,757-10,455 * excluding special funds
December & January Birthdays Anniversaries Ruth Burgess 12/06 Kenzie Seward 12/07 Tony & Sue Caldwell 12/12 Alex Weisser 12/09 Walt & Marie Weysham 01/26 Dorothy Leavell 12/11 Hack Walston 12/16 Cindy Braatz 12/19 Chuck Gallagher 12/27 Charlie Thatch 12/29 If you wish to participate, please look for Pat Anderson 12/31 the sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex Kyle Voong 01/01 and provide your birthday and/or anniversary Ned Balsley 01/04 month & day only by your name so we can Debi Poole 01/04 wish you a Happy Day! Christopher Ketchum 01/11 Dan Behringer 01/13 John Halverson 01/20 Larry McClellan 01/24 Happy Birthday & Anniversary to All!!! Nativity Prayer List Please pray for: Barb Balsley, the Williams family, Ruth Hall, Kimberly Peters, Karen and Gregg Pettigrue, Mildred Houston, Judy Jacobs and Maeli Woodward.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS December 3 December 4 December 7 December 10 December 11 December 14 December 18 December 21 December 24 December 25 10:00 AM Preparation for Live Nativity 5:30 PM Workers to light luminaries, set up food, etc. 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Live Nativity 8:00 & 10:30 AM Services with Holy Communion 9:15 AM Sunday School & Adult Bible Study 11:30 AM Service of Healing and Anointing with Oil 5:30 PM Workers to light luminaries, set up food, etc. 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Live Nativity 6:00 PM Advent Light Supper/7:00 PM Service 10:00 AM Harbor House Ladies Luncheon 8:00 & 10:30 AM Services with Holy Communion 9:15 AM Sunday School & Adult Bible Study Angel Tree gifts due/ Last day to order a Poinsettia 6:00 PM Advent Light Supper/7:00 PM Service 8:00 & 10:30 AM Services with Holy Communion 9:15 AM Adult Bible Study Return Stewardship commitment envelopes 6:00 PM Advent Light Supper/7:00 PM Service 7PM Christmas Eve Candle light Service Merry Christmas! No Bible Study or Services today
NLC December, 2016 Volunteer List 10:30 Service December 4 December 11 Greeters Kathy Peters Greeter Meade Entrekin Ambassador Linda Tucker Ambassador Dorothy Leavell Pew Buddy - Joe Hunt Pew Buddy - Lynn Templeton Ushers Keith Anderson/Tommy Templeton Ushers Halverson Family Lector John Halverson Lector Keith Anderson Comm. Asst. John Halverson Comm. Asst. Keith Anderson Nursery Hannah Poole Nursery Sue Caldwell Counters Hack Walston/Kathy Peters Counters Keith Anderson/Norma Swanson Acolyte Katie Mae Rials Acolyte Wade Caldwell December 18 December 24 Greeters Clyde Hatten Greeter Mitch Leavell Ambassador Mitch Leavell Ambassador Joe Hunt/Debbie Pruett Pew Buddy - Meade Entrekin Pew Buddy - Clyde Hatten/Ruth Burgess Ushers Rick Kirby/Renate Hunt Ushers Halverson Family Lector Sandy Bettiga Lector Joe Hunt Comm. Asst. Sandy Bettiga Comm. Asst. Joe Hunt Nursery Marcia Weaver Nursery Lynn Templeton Counters Boyde Bergum/Mitch Leavell Counters Renate Hunt/Sue Caldwell Acolyte Dane Stevens Acolyte Matthew Templeton If you cannot serve on the dates shown, please try to swap with someone and let the office know of the change. Thanks. There will not be a January, 2017 newsletter published. Please read announcements in the worship guides for news/activities in January. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!