Pastor's Notes for 01-03-10

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY at First Christian Church in 2010

~ A person to write the church report for the newspapers; weekly responsibility, to be submitted to the newspapers by Monday morning before 10:00 o'clock. (An email submission is accepted.)

~ A person to operate sound on Sunday morning; a weekly responsibility. Training is available.

~ Van driver on Sunday morning, before Sunday classes & after service; once a week for one month, on rotation.

~ Choir participation, weekly practice; preparing special music for Sunday worship; Peter Chei, choir director.

~ Hosting the Youth Group on Sunday night; providing a meal; in a rotation every other month or so.

~ Congregational Representative for the Ozark Lakes Area Board that meets at least 3 times a year in area churches.

REFLECTING ON OUR SCRIPTURES : GOD’S BIG PICTURE
Ephesians 1:3-14. Before the foundation of the world the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ chose us in Christ! With this new reality—in Christ—God has big plans!

John 1:(1-9) 10-18. John’s gospel also goes back beyond time to that beginning place when a word was spoken and all things were created. Then the Word became flesh and lived here on one of the planets he had created! His presence revealed God’s glory; his life brought grace and truth.

Psalm 147:12-20. The psalmist calls us to worship the Creator who revealed himself to Israel through the law.

Jeremiah 31:7-14. The Lord gathers the remnant of Israel and proclaims to the nations his faithfulness to the vulnerable as they return with joy and dancing and song!

Matthew 2:1-12. Representatives from the nations come to worship the new born king. In the church year Christmas is not over until January 6 with the coming of the Magi. Some churches have a service for Epiphany or Three Kings Day. On this day special sweet bread is eaten. Baked into it is a token king or a coin. The one who finds the token receives a “gold” crown especially made for the celebration.