A less-than-perfect Christmas

You never know, but I suspect that our Christmas table will NOT look like this. My family gatherings tend to get a little loud and a little chaotic. Makes one wonder why we do this. The pharisees put a similar question to Jesus' disciples: "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" Why indeed! Why would Jesus come to earth as a helpless baby? Why would he live a life of suffering and misunderstanding? Why would he let himself accept the death penalty of the most despised criminal? Jesus replied to the pharisees that it is the sick who need a doctor. Jesus chose to extend his healing touch to less-than-perfect people. He joins us with a task in mind, but he joins us because he loves us, warts and all. Sometime this Christmas season, take a few moments to wonder about the "why" question. It will put the who, what, when and where back into perspective. This Sunday: Matthew 9:9-13.

Well kept!

On our way back from our vacation in Florida the odometer of the van we were driving rolled over to 500,000km. Impressive! That feat could only be achieved because the van was well kept. Christians too, can keep the faith in the long haul because we have been well-kept. Jude addresses his letter to "those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ" (vs 1). Kept in this way, we are now empowered to "keep ourselves in God's love" (vs 21). We can accomplish great things when we remain in God's love. Join us this Sunday, 10 a.m.

Samson's baptism

Yesterday we celebrated the sacrament of baptism. Samson David Thomas VanHardeveld was baptized in the presence of his parents, Eric & Mandy, and his church family and lots of relatives and friends. Baby Sam seemed to enjoy all the attention - and he should, because there's nothing better than being a child of God!

Fitting God In or Fitting Into God

We all have busy lives and try to fit God into our schedules and around our priorities. Maybe we should be looking at our lives in a new way, one where we fit our lives into God's plan. This Sunday Ken deBoer will challenge us in the same way that Haggai challenged God's people to consider what He has done for us and order our lives in thanks to him.

Do it anyway

Isaiah 53 describes an innocent man who dies to establish peace. Isaiah didn't know it at the time, but he was speaking of Jesus. God's strategy for making peace seems harsh and desperate, but he decided to do it anyway. He did it because there was only one way. This Sunday we'll look at Isaiah 53 and at the conclusion of the message, Stephanie will sing "Do it Anyway."

Alissa's baptism

Alissa Diana Dreise came to church for her baptism on Sunday, Nov 1. Sure, her parents Arlin & Joanne came too, and they answered a few questions. Josiah her brother watched on. But it was Alissa's day, and it was all about God's promises to her - that he will be her God and she will be his child. We had a great day celebrating the sacrament as we welcomed Alissa into the family of God.