Thursday’s Thoughts
Fairview Community Church
Worshiping God and Welcoming All Every Sunday at 10am
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Hello dear friends! As you know, I am in the process of moving, and moving while working full time is a little bit crazy. However, even though I’m in the midst of boxes, I managed to get a Christmas tree and put up lights outside. There was a part of me that, wanting to be as methodical as possible about this process, simply thought it was irrational to put up a tree in the middle of a mess. It would only add to the chaos, I thought. But there was another part of me that longed for the visceral experience of Christmas that a trimmed tree offers. I love the way the entire house smells of evergreen. The moment you open the door, you can tell that something special is happening inside: Christmas! The lights sparkle and reflect off the ornaments, the toy soldiers march around the tree –that is until your eyes fixate upon them and suddenly they’re frozen in hanging from ever so innocently off a branch, the angel just about to take flight from the crown of the tree, heralding the news of a Christmas miracle yet to come!
I am mesmerized by Christmas trees. A friend of mine just told me I should have a Christmas tree up all year long because of the way I react when I have one. You already know that I’m always busy, constantly rushing from one thing to the next, always insistent upon doing one more thing before I call it a day. But when I have a Christmas tree in my home, something comes over me. It stills the urge to rush, the constant need to get things done, the push to keep working late into the night. I am not really sure why it is, perhaps the twinkling lights put me in a hypnotic trance, I don’t know. But I do know that I become enchanted, still, calm, reflective.
The buzz of demand to do this or do that suddenly just stops. I’m off in a winter wonderland –silently reflecting, remembering, and imagining Christmases of my past and those the future will bring. It’s almost as though this very tree, freshly cut just days ago, is the same tree I’ve shared Christmas after Christmas with, as it holds onto the ornaments of my past, trinkets of my life lived, and hopes of memories yet to be made. Suddenly, I’m right there with my father on his last Christmas amazed at the cool jukebox under the tree that played cassette tapes –we listened to my favorite band “Milli Vanilli”(before their lip syncing scandal!) Or I’m side by side with my brothers next to the tree at the fireplace, dumping tangerines out of my stocking and reading the note that Santa left, having eaten most of his cookies and taken the carrots up to Rudolph and the gang. Or I’m snuggled up next to my mom on the couch, while the boys play with their toys, and my dad cooks eggs in the kitchen! And now, I’m having visions of my own child, a future hope, aching to be realized, as she races down the stairs to see what’s under the tree!
It’s the magic of Christmas. In fact, it’s more than magic, it’s a miracle! It’s the miracle of the light that is born into the world. A light that shines through the ages, from childhood to old age, from century to century, from Christmas tree to Christmas tree –in every house, in every heart. Christmas is powerful, and it has a powerful claim on me. Quieting me, calming me, reminding me of where I have been and who I will become.
Yes, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and oh, how wonderful it is to relish this feeling! We’re only a week away from Christmas Eve! And this Sunday, we’ll be seeking out that miracle in this year’s Christmas Pageant written especially for Fairview Community Church by Myrna Pappas (who is also directing). So be sure to come to church this week to witness children of all ages in an adorable pageant: Miracle on Bethlehem Street.
This Sunday would be a great day to invite friends and family to church (especially kids)! And be sure to let them all know that our Christmas Eve service is at 5:30pm this year –just late enough to be dark, but just early enough to get you out in time for Christmas Eve parties! Hope to see you this last Sunday of Advent, and most especially on Christmas Eve!
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The Wide, Wide World of Theology!
Sing Mary, sing
Sing a new song
Sing a song of mercy.
We are in need of God's mercy
a kindness that will soothe our troubled souls
calm the distress we feel within and without.
Our days stress filled with unsolvable problems
our nights restless tossed with illusions of grandeur unmet
our lives wandering in a wilderness far from Canaan,s shore.
We are in need of God's mercy.
Sing a song of mercy, Mary
so that rivers of grace will flood our lives.
Sing Mary, sing
Sing a new song
Sing a song of might.
We are in need of God's might
a strength than compensates for our weakness
an arm to pull us up.
Chaos surrounds us
illness and debt
sorrow and death
beats us down.
We are in need of God's might.
Sing a song of might, Mary
so the power of the Lord flows in us.
Sing Mary, sing
Sing a new song
Sing a song of justice.
We are in need of God's justice
to fill the bellies of hungry children and dry their tears.
to stop the wars and initiate peace.
We are numbed by the wounded warrior
the abandoned on our streets
heartbroken from the mourning of the widow and orphan
overwhelmed by Cardboard Hiltons and underpass communities.
We are in need of God's justice.
Sing a song of justice, Mary
so hunger is banished and shalom commands our lives.
Sing Mary, sing
Sing a new song.
Sing a song of mercy
a song of might
a song of justice.
Sing Mary, sing
God's Kingdom come
God's will be done.
Amen. |
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Please take a moment to read through the prayers of our community,
the prayers that matter to us, and lift them up in your hearts this moment.
If you have an a prayer request you would like to add to our list, please email or call the
office714 545-4610.
PRAYER MATTERS
We are grateful for the well-being and many blessings among our church family. Yet keep in your prayers and heart . . .
Veda Atchley who had a full knee replacement on November 27. She is recovering successfully and in search of a stationary bike to borrow for physical therapy.
Kyle Cathey, still experiencing excruciating health difficulties. Prayers for his improvement.
Prayers that Jennifer Larsen’s uncle Lou Cusimano will get well enough so they can bring him to California.
Flo Martin’s brother-in-law, Kevin who’s clinging to life and for her sister, Nikki who’s clinging to hope.
Karel McKinney, Jane Philipp’s daughter, as she continues to mourn her mother. We share in her grief.
Jeanie Molinaro, wife of Wayne Rash’s former employer Paul Molinaro, who has been operated on for ovarian cancer and now faces chemotherapy.
Gina Notrica’s mother Alice Neibarger is doing much better and grateful for prayers. Continue to hold Gina in your prayers as she takes on a new job in Japan!
Carol Thicksten’s nephew who is still recovering from his tragic car accident. Continued prayers for all involved.
Those seeking new employment, in this time of severe job losses and economic hardship.
Those suffering and recovering from deadly addictions and crippling obsession and those who help them.
Our Troops, as they perform their duties, wherever they are in the world.
Announcements
Missed a Sunday? Catch up on your sermons by listening at home!
Just click here to listen or download now:
Did you miss out on last week’s sermon? Listen to
“Emmanuel in the Mess” simply by clicking here!
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT?
BUY SCRIP! You can order a gift card for almost anywhere you can imagine!
The Gap, Kohls, Best Buy –You Name it!
Say you like, oh…Panera? We’ve got it!
Or you’re looking for movie tickets to give the grandkids –we can get it!
We all buy gasoline –why not buy your card at church and help fundraise for the church while you’re at it?
Give your order to Joan or buy what she has on hand this Sunday!
Blue Christmas Service, 6pm Monday December 21st
When Christmas isn’t the most wonderful season…
Join us for this quiet reflective service, to remember those who have died,
Christmas’ past, And Christmas blues.
Christmas Eve, Thursday December 24 5:30pm
Join us for a celebration of Christmas!
We’ll light the Christ Candle and celebrate the miracle Christmas birthed into the world again this year!
Invite your friends and family!
Divine on the Vine
Wednesdays at 7pm here at Fairview Community Church
Adult Study Group – Come join in on the fun!
NOTE THE CHANGE IN DATE!THE COUNCIL HAS CHANGED THE DATE AGAIN!
Congregational Meeting: January 10thfollowing the Church Service
To Elect Members to the New Church Boards
All Members are requested to be present to vote!
Interested in Becoming a Member? Wonder what it means to Join the Church?
Being a member of the church is easy!
All you have to do is come to a membership class and learn more about the church.
if you’re interested please contact Marge Salmassy, Wayne Rashor hit reply.
In Love,
Sarah
Reverend Sarah Halverson
Fairview Community Church
2525 Fairview Road
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 545-4610
No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
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