"Give My Heart"

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Last Sunday a group of St. John members went Christmas caroling.  We visited the homes of folks who are mostly homebound and have trouble getting out.  We wanted to let them know they are not forgotten and still cared for.  We wanted to share with them the love that is bigger than our love, the love of God shown so wonderfully at Christmas in the birth of Jesus.

But, this year’s group of carolers was small.  Did you see the weather?  Instead of an idyllic winter scene the singers braved sheets of rain on a cold, dark day in which clouds shut out almost any light.  But, maybe that was an even more appropriate day to share the Christmas message.  No one knows the exact date that Jesus was born.  But, Jesus is the light of the world come into a dark world of sin.  “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”  (John 1:1, 4-5) On that dark, bleak, and rainy day we were able to share with people the light of God’s love that is not shut out by the weather, nor the pain and trials around us.

Do you know the words of the Christmas Carol, “In the Bleak Mid-Winter?”  This poem was written by Christina Rosetti in the 1800’s.  The words capture the depth of the troubles of our world, troubles which God overcomes by His love in Jesus.  However, the verse of this poem that strikes me most forcefully is the last verse which asks the question, “What shall I give Him?”  Rosetti’s answer, “Give my heart.”

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,

earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;

snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,

in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heav’n cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;

heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.

In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed

the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,

cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;

but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,

worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;

yet what I can I give him:  give my heart.

Into our lives full of sin and pain God Himself has come in love.  In the beauty of Jesus’ Christmas birth, and in the victory of Jesus’ death and rising, He has overcome the bleak places in our lives.  How will you respond?  Will you give your heart?

A Child of God, Overwhelmed by the love of God,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  If you want to see a performance of this Christmas carol this You Tube video is a good one.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRobryliBLQ

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

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ST. JOHN NEWS

ADVENT WORSHIP SERVICES – Mid week Advent Worship Services are held on Wednesday evenings, December 14 and 21 at 6:30 p.m.  This year’s services look at “The Surprises of Christmas.”  We will use short videos from Lutheran Hour Ministries to consider the surprise of God’s Son to the Shepherds, and the surprise of God’s Son to the Wise Men.  Come and use these short services to prepare for your Christmas celebration.

            Advent Fellowship Meals are provided at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall before the worship services.

Special Christmas Opportunity – We recently found we were behind in finances for the year.  Congregational President, Dave Nufer, has written a letter about finances and put it on the back table.  In this time that we receive God’s greatest gift please consider how you might join others in responding to God’s love for God’s work here at St. John.

Offering for the Needy WILL CONTINUE THIS WEEK –  This offering is used to help people in our congregation and in our community during life’s difficult times.

NEW CHURCH DIRECTORIES are available on the counter in the narthex. Those who had their pictures taken receive a free directory.  The names are written on the directories.  Please pick up your directories. 

(Unfortunately, we have found that some families who had their pictures taken did not get into the directory.  If you had your picture taken but are not in the directory you still get a directory.  In addition, please let the church office know.  We will be printing off a page with the missing pictures, and we will get extra directories for those who are not in the directory.

“LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS” –  The parish nurses of St. John are offering a class to St. John members and the Mat-Su Community, “Living a Healthy Life With Chronic Conditions.”  This 6-part class is scheduled for Tuesday evenings beginning on January 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

            Three people have signed up for the class already.  However, we need at least 3 more to insure that the class meets.  There is a sign-up sheet on the wall in the narthex above the counter top.  Or you can call Judy in the church office at 745-3338 and let her know you would like to attend.

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DID YOU KNOW THAT MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT ST. JOHN is available on our church website?  On our web page you can find sermons, newsletters, and these weekly devotions.  The link is:  http://www.st-john-lutheran.org/ 

In fact, IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE YOUR MONTHLY CHURCH NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL please e-mail Judy Stahancyk and let her know.  You can call at 745-3338, or e-mail Judy at jstahancyk@st-john-lutheran.org. If you receive the newsletter by e-mail it saves printing, postage, and time compiling the newsletter.  Also, you receive the monthly newsletter more quickly!!